Tributes paid to Mahatma Gandhi
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 30
The Uttarakhand Congress paid floral tributes to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, to commemorate his martyrdom day here today.

In a press note issued here, Uttarakhand Congress Spokesperson Dhirendra Pratap said a programme was organised at the Congress Bhawan where tributes were paid to Mahatma Gandhi by Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna and other senior Congress leaders.

Addressing the gathering, Bahuguna said Mahatma Gandhi was the biggest leader in the history of the world. “His teachings and the policies adopted by him are very inspirational which are even successful in present time. His contribution can never be forgotten,” he added.

Others who were present on the occasion including Uttarakhand Congress President Yashpal Arya, All India Congress committee secretary Sanjay Kapoor, Suryakant Dhasmana, Vijay Sarswat, Anusuya Maikhuri, Sarvshri Subodh, Rajkumar Umesh and Deen Mohammed along with several others.

Meanwhile, District Magistrate BVRC Purshottam and staff members observed a two-minute silence at the District Collectorate to commemorate the martyrdom of Mahatma Gandhi.

Aryan School Principal Alok Virmani, staff members and children paid homage to the father of the nation on the occasion of 66th death anniversary by placing a garland on the statue of Mahatma Gandhi.

Mahatma Gandhi was remembered today on his 66th death anniversary.

Governor Dr Aziz Qureshi and all the officials observed two minutes silence at Raj Bhawan in Dehradun.

Tributes were also paid to all the martyrs who laid down their lives in the freedom struggle. A resolution was taken by everyone to adopt the ideals of Bapu in their lives.

Mussoorie: Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, was remembered on his 66th death anniversary by Congress workers in a simple function held in Mussoorie today.

The Congress workers gathered at Congress Bhavan and paid homages to the great leader of the country by offering floral tributes on his portrait as a mark of respect here.

Former Mussoorie MLA Jot Singh Gunsola and other Congress workers speaking on the occasion shed light on his life and his struggle for the freedom of the country, which led to his supreme sacrifice. Gunsola speaking further said that Mahatma Gandhi was a great exponent of ahimsa and lived his life practising it till his death. He also said that Mahatma Gandhi was a great believer of secular values and the nation should follow the path of truth and non-violence shown by him.

Devotees take holy dip in Ganga on ‘Mauni Amawasya’
Tribune News Service

Dehradun/Haridwar, January 30
A large number of devotees today took a holy dip in the Ganga at Brahma Kund at Har-ki-Pauri and adjacent ghats in Haridwar on the occasion of ‘Mauni Amawasya’.

Since wee hours this morning devotees were seen thronging Ganga ghats chanting hymns and vedic mantras, while teerth purohits performed Ganga aarti.

Saints and astrologers believe that a holy dip in the Ganga, performance of yajnas and donation of alms alongside the Ganga on Mauni Amawasya fetch benefits equivalent to that of several ‘Ashwamedh yajnas’. Rishi Manu was born on this day and keeping a silent fast gives a devotee immense spiritual energy.

Meanwhile, the district administration had put in place elaborate security arrangements with the SSP Rajeev Swarup, and SP, City, Surjeet Singh Pawar monitoring the proceedings. Live footages via CCTV cameras installed at the core mela zone, Brahma Kund, Har-ki-Pauri, adjacent Ganga ghats, bus station, railway station, shrines and other sensitive points were monitored from the city control room.

Devotees from upper reaches of the Garhwal and Kumaon regions, neighboring Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Delhi arrived in Haridwar in a large number. Dharmshalas, ashrams, lodges, and hotels reported large bookings, which had been affected due to flash floods last year. 

Without power for 8 months, villagers hold demostration 
Our correspondent

Pithoragarh, January 30
Hundreds of villagers from Galati, Pangla, Khet, Jaikot and Ramtoli villages of Dharchula sub division of the district staged a demonstration today at the sub-divisional headquarters, demanding immediate resumption of electric supply to their villages which had remained blocked since the last year mid-June natural disaster hit these villages.

“The villagers have been living in dark for the last eight months as the electricity supply to these villages could not be resumed after the natural disaster,” said Krish Singh Kunwar, a villager and CPI (ML) worker.

According to the villagers, despite the orders from the District Magistrate to restore the power supply in July, the department concerned did nothing in this direction.

“The negligence on the part of the Electricity Department has resulted not only into plunging the villages into darkness, but it has cost dear to the students who are not in a position to complete their syllabus due to lack of electricity to their houses,” said Kunwar.

Blaming local MLA Harish Dhami responsible for the plight, the villagers said the MLA had also released some money under the MLA’s local area development fund.

“The local MLA neither allocated the funds from his treasure, nor did he persuade the concerned department to repair the line,” said Kunwar.

The electricity Sub Divisional Officer (SDO) too reached the spot and assured the demonstrators of resumtion of power supply within 10 days time from now.

“We have some repair work going on, which will be completed on priority,” said Neeraj Pandey, SDO of the electricity distribution circle in Dharchula.

Political uncertainty nixes CM’s plan to tour Garhwal, Kumaon
Tribune News Service

Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna

Dehradun, January 30
With a change of guard in the state imminent, Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna’s plan to tour Garhwal and Kumaon divisions by road may remain a pipedream.

A confident Bahuguna had announced last week that he would hit the road after January 28 to see for himself the conditions prevailing in both divisions. However, there has been no movement on this front. In fact with a strong rumour of Bahuguna having submitted his resignation to the high command doing the rounds, it is unlikely that he would now proceed on a trip.

It is the irony of the fate that when the Chief Minister finally decided to take travel to take stock of the situation in the state, power and chair seem to be slipping from his hands. For long he was accused of being an armchair politician, who preferred to use the state helicopter for his sojourns to the remote areas of the state and New Delhi.

For that matter, even ministers, who were made in charge of different districts, had to tour their assigned areas before the Chief Minister’s visit. But with political uncertainty looming large since the beginning of 2014, there has been little activity on the ground. Even the ministers have shown little interest in planning a ground for the Chief Minister’s visit. Most of the ministers remained in transit between Dehradun and Delhi, busy hobnobbing with the central party leadership.

“The Congress will pay for ignoring the people of the state, especially when they are still trying to put their lives back on track post-natural disaster. If you compare the number of tours that the Congress leaders and the BJP leaders have taken, our track record is much better. The Congress has lost touch with the people of the state,” said Teerath Singh Rawat, Uttarakhand BJP president.

In fact the political uncertainty has cast a shadow on the development activity in the state. Indecisiveness on the part of the government regarding reconstruction works has already delayed construction of roads in the disaster affected areas.

“The government is not sure whether to allow the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to continue with the road building activity or give the task to the PWD. As a result, the road construction activity is yet to take place in the state,” said Ajay Bhatt, Leader of the Opposition in the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly. 

Kunjwal pitches for Harish Rawat as CM
Neena Sharma
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 30
Amid a likelihood of a change of guard in Uttarakhand, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Govind Singh Kunjwal has again supported the candidature of Union Water Resources Minister Harish Rawat, his long-time political associate and friend, for the post of Chief Minister.

Kunjwal told The Tribune today that Rawat was a worthy candidate who would be able to take the party and the government along. He said, “Though it is the prerogative of the high command to choose a suitable chief ministerial candidate, I believe on all counts Harish Rawat stands out as a worthy candidate for the post. He has a great appetite for hard work and strong willpower to put plans into action. Nobody in the state can match his connect with the masses. He has a good grasp of the geographical and socioeconomic conditions of the state. I am sure that he will be able to energise the party cadre and give good governance in the state,” said Kunjwal.

The Assembly Speaker expressed dismay at the manner in which the party and the government were functioning. “There seems to be lack of cohesion. Party workers often complain of being ignored and this may not portend well for the Congress. I think a leader should have the ability to take everyone along. The views of the party workers, who work relentlessly for us, should not be ignored,” he said.

Asked whether injustice was meted out to Rawat as he had been denied the post of Chief Minister twice, he said, “It can never be an issue of right but of obligation to the people. They want to give Rawat a chance and see him fulfil the vision that he had envisaged for the state.”

Govt plans to bring salary hike issue in legislative Assembly 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 30
After proposing a double raise for MLAs, Cabinet ministers, Leader of the Opposition, Speaker and Deputy Speaker in the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly during the recently concluded Cabinet meeting, the Uttarakhand government now intends to bring the proposal in the legislative Assembly.

While proposing the salary hike, both the Opposition and the Congress leaders seemed to be on the same wavelength. So it has been all these years in the Uttarakhand legislative Assembly. Both the Opposition and the ruling MLAs are known to zealously guard their own interests.

Interestingly, it was a committee led by Nav Prabhat, senior leader of the Congress, that had recommended the raise.

The committee was formed in September last year after the matter figured in the Assembly. Whenever issues pertaining to the interest of MLAs come up, both the Opposition and the ruling MLAs are known to be on the same side of the fence.

Based on the proposal that came up before the Cabinet, the MLAs who are receiving Rs 5000 as salary will now receive Rs10,000. The recommendations include provision for medical allowance on the lines of class one officer, hike in election allowance from Rs 30,000 to Rs 60,000.

Hike in daily allowance from Rs 1000 to Rs 2000, telephone allowance at Rs 6000 and two mobile phones and one landline phone, driver's allowance Rs 3000, besides facility for stationery, which includes use of 2000 letterhead, 1000 envelopes free of cost.

The MLAs are also eligible for Rs 5 lakh insurance (accident), mobile maintenance at Rs 8,000 and provision for housing allowance at Rs 3000.

Further the committee has also proposed hike in the pocket money of Speaker of Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly from Rs 30,000 to Rs 60,000.

The Deputy Speaker's pocket money has been hiked from Rs 30,000 to Rs 50,000. For the Leader of the Opposition the hike is from Rs 30,000 to Rs 50,000. Hike has also been proposed for Cabinet ministers. They presently receive Rs 15,000, and after the hike they are expected to receive Rs 45,0000.

Political parties resent raise in MLAs' salaries

Haridwar, January 30
In the wake of steep hike in wages, allowances and privileges being accorded to legislators, cabinet  ministers and ex-legislators, resentment was witnessed in the Haridwar district today. However, the main political parties like Congress, BJP, Bahujan Samaj Party and Samajwadi Party kept distance  from the protest.

The Aam Aadmi Party, Uttarakhand Kranti Dal and Communist (Lenin-Marxist) have termed this decision as a mockery of the democracy as state has been reeling under impact of flash floods, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna citing paucity  of funds to build roads  and other facilities in the affected Kedar Nath  valley region.

Uttarakhand Kranti Dal Progressive activists led by central secretary Labour cell Uday Ram Semwal demanded roll back of the sops given to the legislators, whose income and privileges are growing year by year. Uday Ram pointed that these politicians call them representatives of the public, on public issues and bills 
they adjourn the Assembly sessions but easily passed this hike unanimously-which speaks of the self concern of these “elected representatives”.

While, Aam Aadmi Party activists protested  against this increase in salaries in Haridwar.

AAP activists said despite already getting substantial monthly, daily wages, medical cover, free commuting services and pension, legislators get united and keep mum when such hikes were provided to them.

District convener JP Baduni said these politicians wanted everything barring accountability, so they were imposing new taxes on the people.

Rashtriya Krantikari Manch leader Murali Manohar said at the  time when state was trying to cope up with the flash flood impact and political upheaval, the Congress government had tried to appease the party legislators as well as opposition parties, which speaks of the low ebb in state politics.

Communist Party of India veteran leader Vijay Rawat has also termed  the legislators pay hike as an appeasing move,  which again proves that the newly created hill state is not in right hands of governance and only Communist rule can bring in desired development and change in the state.

AAP flays proposed hike in MLAs’ salaries
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 30
Members of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) burnt an effigy of Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna and staged a demonstration here today in protest against the proposed increase in the salaries and pensions of the sitting and former MLAs.

District spokesperson for the AAP Kamal Devrani said while on the one hand the state government had no funds for the rehabilitation of the people, who were affected by the natural disaster that occurred last year, it had money to splurge on its ministers and MLAs.

“Fabricated houses promised by the state government to the disaster-affected people are nowhere to be seen. Roads in the state are in a poor condition and people are suffering due to lack of basic amenities,” Devrani added.

Sanjay Bhatt, Rajesh Bahuguna, Suresh Negi, Kamal Devrani, Sunita Singh, Vishal Chowdhary and Aarif Hussain took part in the demonstration.

CM asks Moily to consider govt stand on eco zone notification 
Seeks a Forest and Environment Ministry regional office in Doon
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 30
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna has asked Union Forests and Environment Minister Veerappa Moily to consider the state government's stand on the Uttarkashi Eco-Sensitive Zone Notification that includes decreased area under the zone.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister, Vijay Bahuguna, called on the Union Forest and Environment Minister Veerappa Moily at his office in Delhi recently. The Chief Minister asked him to consider the state government stand on the Uttarkashi Eco-Sensitive Zone Notification. The Union Minister Moily on his part promised a positive approach in the matter and said he would reconsider the state's objections.

The Chief Minister appealed to Union Minister Moily to establish a forest and environment ministry regional office in Dehradun.

He said the setting up of the office would ensure speedy decisions on land acquisition below 5 hectares area. The Union Minister has asked the officers of the ministry to soon issue a notification in this regard.

Bahuguna said that there was no representative from the state in the committee formed to study the impact of hydroelectric projects on the environment constituted by the Supreme Court. He sought proper representation for the state on the committee.

Moily, on his part, expressed agreement in this regard. He also urged that before any final decision in this regard, the views of experts from Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, and Wadia Institute and Garhwal University, be considered.

The Chief Minister also disclosed that the state government was developing Rajaji National Park in the form of a tiger reserve as well.

Bahuguna urged the Union Minister to inaugurate the reserve. The invitation was accepted and dates would be decided. The Chief Minister said that the state government and its people were committed to conservation of the environment. There has also been a record increase in forest cover in the state. He said that hydel projects were essential for power generation and thus small hydel projects should be sanctioned.

He also sought an increase in the time frame for determination of eco sensitive zone areas around national parks and sanctuaries, which was accepted. Discussions were also held on giving permission for excavation in the Ganga and its tributaries in Hardwar and the Sukhro river in Pauri.

Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Subhash Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary BP Pandey, Principal Secretary, Forest, S Ramaswamy and Uttarakhand Jal Vidhyut Nigam Limited’s Chairman GP Patel were also present on the occasion.

Shadows of Terror gets positive reviews
Sandeep Rawat
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, January 30
Real, day-to-day encounters of armed forces personnel, with depiction and usage of instances revolving around Line of Control, Air Traffic Control, Cheetah helicopters, snipers, Research Analysis Wing (RAW), Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and ''Alfa one to Charlie one, over'' are just some of the depictions one finds in the recently launched book ''Shadows of Terror'' written by ex-IAF officer Sanjeev K Sharma.

The book is getting rave reviews, particularly among armed forces personnel, with Uttarakhand being a primarily armed forces hub where there is almost one family member in the three wings.

Talking to TNS Sanjeev K Sharma said that his experience during his posting in Siachen, the world’s highest war altitude (5,400 mtr) and toughest battleground, came vital during penning his thoughts for ''Shadows of Terror.''

He added that the tough life Army personnel live is fully supported by a feeling of patriotism, motivation and the support of their families and ''all these physical and emotional hardships of our personnel paved way for thoughts that got penned in the stories.''

Lieut General (retd) Tej Pal Singh Rawat,hailing from Pauri Garhwal, cites a reference from one of the book chapters: “Sir, due to strong winds and heavy snowfall, frequency is weak ,but I am trying, Sir.'' This book showcases the true Army character and real-war like situations in an honest way.

Ex-Superintendent of Police (Uttarakhand) Kiran Lal Shah terms the ''Shadows of Terror'' as a book to be read by all armed forces, police and paramilitary personnel as it takes the reader through the hardships, tough tasks, yet positive approach followed by the armed forces personnel in such demanding situations.

Noted writer Mona Verma points that the way the author has written the book is almost akin to a veteran war book writer.

Industrialists, social activists meet Guv
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 30
Representatives of various organisations and institutions met Governor Dr Aziz Qureshi at Raj Bhavan today.

A seven-member delegation of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) led by industrialist and social activist Dr S Farooq met the Governor and invited him as a chief guest at the annual Green Award function to be held in March.

Manjula Rana, member of the State Public Service Commission, Vice-Chancellor of HNB Medical University Dr MC Pant, Registrar of Uttarakhand Ayurvedic University Mritunjay Mishra, priests from Badrinath shrine Harish Chandra Dhyani, actor Vivek Oberoi and Chandan Harbola from Sitarganj also met the Governor.

RLEK gives training to rural women on voting
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 30
In a bid to create awareness among the women residing in the rural areas regarding their right to cast votes, the Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra (RLEK) is organising camps across the state.

Speaking on the issue Avdhash Kaushal, Chairperson, RLEK, said: ''After seeing the disregard of women by the government of Uttarakhand, RLEK with the support of CFLI is organising awareness camps on panchayats for the rural women in remote villages of Uttarakhand. Through these camps, women will be trained on various issues such as voters' rights, importance of election process, disorders happening during polling, casting of votes, importance of voting rights and mock election process.

''It is expected that during the forthcoming Assembly elections a large number of women candidates will contest from unreserved (open) seats. For this it is very important for the female voters to be educated about the entire election process right from campaigning to the results,'' said Damini Bhargava, senior trainer at Pragati, an NGO working with RLEK.

Training camps are being held in various villages of Sahaspur block in Dehradun district. Earlier teams of RLEK and Pragati conducted five camps of one-day training in five villages of the state, including Thathyur (Jaunpur) block of Tehri district.

“We are not just providing them (women) training but will also establish help desk in each block during the nomination process so that these women do not find any difficultly in filing their nominations and these are filed successfully,” said Rekha Pundir, a senior trainer.

Postings and transfers
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 30
The state government has decided to give additional charge as Chairman, Minorities Welfare and Waqf Development Corporation, to Additional Chief Secretary Bhagwati Prasad Pandey, who also holds the posts of Commissioner, FRDC, Energy, Alternative Energy, Watershed, Principal Resident Commissioner, New Delhi, and Chief Project Director, Watershed Development.

Ramesh Chandra Lohani, Additional Secretary, Personnel, said Principal Secretary, Drinking Water, Social Welfare, School Education, S Raju has been given additional charge as Chairman, Uttarakhand Finance Development Corporation.

Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, PWD, Excise, Personnel and Vigilance, SS Sandhu, has been given additional charge as Chairman, Uttarakhand Infrastructure Development Corporation.

Chandra Singh Imlal, SDM, Nainital, has been transferred as SDM, Almora, while Uttam Singh Chauhan, SDM, Haridwar, has been transferred as SDM, Rudraprayag. while Rahul Kumar Goyal, SDM, Chamoli, has been made SDM, Rudraprayag. Rakesh Chandra Tiwari, SDM, Rudraprayag, has now been made the SDM, Nainital.

From a corporate bigwig, Doonite Anoop Nautiyal vying for AAP ticket 
Jotirmay Thapliyal

Dehradun, January 30
Doonite Anoop Nautiyal was yet another top boss in the corporate ladder till he joined Aam Admi Party (AAP) in Uttarakhand recently. He comes to AAP with the background of being Uttarakhand-based social and corporate leader with over two decades of global and national leadership experience in the social, for-profit and government sectors.

His biggest contribution to Uttarakhand has been introducing one of its kinds, life saving 108 ambulance services in Uttarakhand. The108 services have been widely acknowledged as the single biggest government success story in the history of Uttarakhand since its inception as a state in the year 2000.

He successfully established and led the free 108 medical, police, fire and forest ambulance emergency services in the Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode for the government of Uttarakhand (2008-2011). As its Chief Operating Officer, Anoop was leading a team of more than 1000 employees across the entire state. Due to its results and efficiency, 108 got the tag line of being the lifeline of Uttarakhand.

However, after his stint in health sector, Anoop Nautiyal continued with his social services in remote villages of Garhwal. Even in the aftermath of the recent Kedarnath tragedy, Anoop is now collaborating with global institutions and networks that are focused on providing long-term rehabilitation and relief to the victims of the 2013 Uttarakhand disaster victims. He is the India trustee for the combined global efforts of American India Foundation. AIF is one of the largest foundations in the United States of America serving India and has deployed close to $ 100 million (more than Rs. 400 crore) on various projects since 2001. Former President of the United States Bill Clinton serves as the Hon. Chairman of AIF.

On his newfound love for AAP, Nautiyal argues that Aam Admi Party has got more relevance in Uttarakhand with the ongoing power struggle linked to the post of chief minister in the state. He said there had been enough of instability in the state and time has come for the aam admi to take over the reins from power hungry politicians. He said the state had already seen six chief ministers and now awaiting the seventh.

He said the state of Uttarakhand that had good literacy rate and an aware electorate would certainly give a big acceptability to AAP in the coming parliamentary elections.

“Uttarakhand is certainly a state that keeps big potential for AAP after Delhi’s resounding success,” Anoop asserts. Himself vying for AAP ticket from Tehri parliamentary seat, Anoop Nautiyal informed that he had applied for the ticket and it was now for AAP scrutiny committee to decide his candidature and assures to abide the committee decision that decides the candidate sole on basis of integrity and honesty.

A loyal AAP worker, Anoop Nautiyal is emerging a key man for AAP in Uttarakhand. He has been single-handedly conducting an awareness drive in Uttarakhand villages apprising the people about importance of AAP government in Uttarakhand. He highlights the mismanagement of successive governments in Uttarakhand and the resulting suffering being faced by the people. 

National Health Mission schemes must benefit all: CM

Dehradun, January 30
Reviewing the schemes related to the National Health Mission (NHM), Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna during a meeting held at the conference room in his official residence late on Wednesday, said, "A comprehensive action plan needs to be prepared to ensure that the benefit of schemes being run under the National Health Mission reach the urban and rural populations. Auxiliary Nurses and Midwives (ANMs) will also be made responsible for operating bank accounts of the village health and sanitation samitis, along with the Gram Pradhan and Village Development Officer."

Bahuguna stressed on better health services for poor women and children in rural and urban areas, along with the general public. He said providing better services was a priority of the government. "The services of specialists needs to be taken to make schemes of the NHM more effective," he said.

The CM also granted approval to provide 35 medical vans to provide health services in rural areas.

He also suggested better coordination among the health, education, Integrated Child Development Services, rural development, urban development, drinking water, Panchayati Raj and other departments. He also wanted the health directorate to be strengthened and directed that only experienced workers must be put on the job. — TNS

ONGC spreads message of natural energy conservation
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 30
To create public awareness about importance of conserving natural resources, especially oil and gas, a publicity van was flagged off by the ONGC as part of its ongoing oil and gas conservation fortnight being organised by the Technical Services department.

Addressing the gathering during a function, KL Mehrotra, Executive Director-HOI, ONGC Academy, said the main aim of organising such camps was to spread awareness among the masses for the conservation of oil and gas. He also urged the executives and employees of ONGC to adopt all possible means in conserving these natural sources of energy.

After being flagged off, the publicity van visited Mussoorie where the ONGC officials interacted with a large gathering. They explained to the crowd about various energy saving techniques that could be adopted both outside and within the house.

Students’ Union Week concludes

Dehradun, January 30
The Students’ Union Week at SGRR PG College concluded today.

Pheruphur rape-murder
3 weeks later, cops fail to identify culprits
Gaurav Talwar
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 30
Even after three-weeks, the Haridwar police are groping in the dark for clues in the sensational Pheruphur rape and murder case. Police are still trying to gather concrete leads to trace the culprits.

However, highly placed police sources told The Tribune that the polygraph test, which was carried out on 11 suspects a week ago in New Delhi under the supervision of Central Bureau Investigation (CBI) officials, has also failed to provide any substantial results.

It is to be noted that the final report of the polygraph test would be submitted to the police on February 1. Though a senior official familiar with the ongoing investigation in the case, has accepted that the polygraph test on 11 suspects could not provide any substantial leads.

Meanwhile, the police have also sent the DNA samples of 62 persons to Gujarat Forensic Science University at Ahmedabad, to match them with the DNA samples found on the body of the school girl, who was raped and later brutally murdered on January 7 at Pheruphur village in the Haridwar district.

These DNA samples of 62 persons have already been analysed at the State Forensic Science Laboratory (SFSL) at Dehradun.

“We have sent the suspects DNA samples to Ahmedabad for further examination and DNA comparison with the sample collected from the body of the victime, ” said Amit Sinha, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Garhwal Range, while talking to The Tribune.

The Tribune has also learnt that the investigating team had interrogated over 100 persons in connection with the case, but the police could not gather any concrete information to nab the culprits.

Meanwhile, the investigating officers in the case, who, on the basis of preliminary investigation had said only a single person had committed the crime, are now saying that there can be more than one culprit involved in the gruesome rape and murder case.

Incidentally, the Chief Minister and DGP had already directed the police to take swift action in the case and arrest the culprits in the stipulated time period after which the DGP had met the CBI director to seek help in the investigations.

ABVP members burn govt’s effigy
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 30
The members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) burnt effigy of the state government in front of DAV PG College gate here on Thursday, against the introduction of application fees for the state government recruitment examinations.

“The state has still not recovered from the Kedarnath tragedy and the government has reached to its lowest level by charging Rs 500 from the unemployed youth as application fees, reflecting its anti-youth mindset,” said Pramod Mishra, district coordinator of the ABVP.

The protesting ABVP members claimed that the government had not done anything for the unemployed youth of the state and had even failed to make a policy for the eradication of widespread unemployment in the state.

Moreover, the ABVP members questioned the relevance of the government’s decision to increase the salary and perk of the ministers and demanded an immediate rolling back of the decision.

Body found on tracks
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 30
A body of sugarcane mill employee was found on the railway track in Doiwala here today. The locals who spotted the body immediately informed the police.

On the basis of preliminary investigation, Doiwala police were seeing it as a suicide case.

Dhanwant was reportedly hit by a running train and was crushed to death.

Dhanwant used to work in Vikasnagar sugarcane centre and went to Doiwala sugarcane mill on Wednesday for some work.

The employees of the sugarcane mill informed the police that Dhanwant had an argument with an officer in Doiwala sugarcane mill after which he was suspended from his service and consumed alcohol. He later created ruckus in the Doiwala market under the influence of liquor.

Meanwhile, the police have started investigation in the case.

3 booked under NDPS Act

Dehradun, January 30
As part of its ongoing drive against drug peddlers in Dehradun, Patel Nagar police arrested two drug dealers from near the ISBT and seized 200 grams of charas from their possession.

The police said Akram and Tasim were held when they were allegedly waiting for their customers. The police said both were involved in drug peddling for the last many years.

Sahaspur police arrested a person from Dharmawala Chowk, who was carrying a banned substance. Sonu, a resident of Vikas Nagar, had 226 grams of charas in his possession. All three accused have been booked under the NDPS Act. — TNS

Two thieves arrested

Dehradun, January 30
The Jogiwala police have arrested two thieves with in 24-hours of the theft, which was carried out at a house in Jogiwala on January 27. The police have recovered the stolen valuables from their possession.

They have been identified as Taiyab and Mohammad Ali, both resident of Navada. The police recovered Rs 65,000 and jewellery worth Rs 1.25 lakh from them, which allegedly was stolen from the house at Vasant Enclave on January 27.

The theft occurred at Suresh Kumar’s house on January 27, when no body was at home. During interrogation, the accused have accepted their involvement in number of thefts cases in the past also. SSP Kewal Khurana has announced a cash award for the police team, which nabbed the two accused. — TNS

Sainik body to stage rally

Dehradun, January 30
Perturbed over the government’s apathy towards the families of martyrs and ex-servicemen, the Uttarakhand Poorv Sainik Evam Ardh Sainik Sangathan will stage a ‘Lalkaar rally’ today.

President Lt Col Ganga Singh Rawat (retd), said both the central and state government had failed to resolve the various issues of the ex-servicemen. — TNS

Voluntary blood donation

Dehradun, January 30
To generate awareness on voluntary blood donation among the youth, the Uttarahand State Aids Control Committee (USAC) organised a voluntary blood donation camp along with a seminar at the media centre of the Secretariat.

The President of the organising committee of Red Cross Society Ranjeet Singh Verma inaugurated the camp. — TNS

Anglo Indian Group to launch MCC Lord’s club
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 30
The Anglo Indian Group, an exclusive license holder of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and Lord’s brands in India, is going to launch the MCC Lord’s Club India with a pre-season cricket-training course at The Doon School, in Dehradun.

The pre-season training course will be attended by around 80 boys from The Doon School. The local children will also be invited as part of their continuing community outreach programme that supports several schools in the region as part of Doon school’s social service and social responsibility curriculum.

The five-day intensive course, to be attended by 12-17 year old students, will cover all the aspects of the game with the MCC’s cricket motto ‘Play hard, Play fair at the core’.

The coaches, who have been flown from England, are all playing members of the MCC.

Simon Reid, founder and chairman of the Anglo Indian Group, said: “It is a great privilege to launch the MCC Lord’s Club, India at The Doon School and we hope that this is the start of a long-term partnership with The Doon School to bring the cricket skills, ethos and values of the MCC and Lord’s to its pupils and to the boys from the wider community.”

The MCC was founded in 1787 and is the oldest and the most active cricket club in the world and plays more than 500 matches annually.

The MCC owns Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, globally known as ‘The Home of Cricket’.

Khalsa Cricket Club win opening match
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 30
The Khalsa Cricket Club won the opening match in the 62nd District Cricket League at the OFD cricket ground by defeating the Himalayan cricket team by three wickets in Dehradun today.

The Himalayan Cricket Club won the toss and elected to bat first. It made 165 runs with opener Vijay Singh scoring the highest 57 runs. Sagar also chipped in with a small cameo of 32 runs. For the Khalsa Cricket Club, Rishal took a hat-trick while Ayush took two wickets.

In reply, the Khalsa club batsmen did not find any difficulty in scoring the runs and chased the target with three wickets in hand. Vihsal and Gaurav played good innings and helped their team to register its first win in the tournament.