Manch: Frame people-centric, holistic rehabilitation policy
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 22
Dissatisfied with the existing state rehabilitation policy, members of the Uttarakhand Jan Karwan Manch today raised the demand for framing a holistic people-centric policy that also addresses the issues of displacement necessitated due to the construction of dams, mining and disasters.

“The present policy is limited in appeal as it is mum on the environmental and socio-economic consequences of increasing dams and mining activities in the state, which is pushing people out of their villages. Instead, it only addresses the ex gratia relief that the government will extend to families who are victims of disasters,” said Laxman Singh Negi of the Jan Karwan Manch, while speaking today at a state-level workshop, “Advocacy on rehabilitation policy”.

He said in 2011, the then government had hurriedly unveiled a rehabilitation policy which was short-sighted and did not address the economic and environmental costs that the locals have to bear due to displacement.

“The government has already earmarked 337 villages that need to be rehabilitated and their number is increasing steadily. Except for rehabilitating a small hamlet, the government has not moved an inch,” he said.

Bringing the issue of the last year’s natural disaster into focus, Vijay Jarhdari said people continued to settle near rivers and adopt unsafe house building techniques, but there was no agency to monitor such activities.

“A one-time ex gratia relief cannot compensate the loss that the villagers face when they are uprooted from their villages. The policy should focus on sustained efforts for rehabilitating people where livelihood is guaranteed,” he said.

Meanwhile, giving a twist to the causes that led to the Kedarnath catastrophe last year, Prabhu Narayan, an environmentalist, said today that the Kedarnath devastation was due to the thunderbolt strikes or ‘Ashni’ that also find mention in the ancient Hindu literature.

“The issue needs to be probed further, but in my opinion the devastation was due to the thunderbolt strikes that also find mention in the Puranas. The blue and green colour thunderbolts are even known to the mountainous people and should be explored further. I had written extensively about them, but the scientific community is not willing to believe me,” he said.

Narayan was here to participate in the workshop on rehabilitation. 

Hunger strike by revenue ameens enters 15th day
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 22
The indefinite strike call given by the Revenue Ameen Sangrah Sangh over a four-point demand continued on the 53rd day here today.

The hunger fast continued for the 15th day here as ameens from Haridwar district namely Dharmendar Kumar Rathi, Bharatveer Singh, Vinod Kumar Sharma, Malhu Singh Subash Chansra Sharma, Pawan Kumar, Bablesh and others sat on the relay hunger strike.

Sangh president Ramesh Chandra Bijalwan said the government had done injustice by removing the promotion quota kept for the revenue ameens in the state.

He said that the state government itself had passed an amendment on December 13 of providing promotion to six per cent of revenue ameens but no action has been taken so far. Bijalwan said the state government was incurring immense loss to exchequer due to the strike by revenue ameens, but the government was still not addressing their grievances.

Bijalwan said the strike would continue till their three-point demands were not met. Uday Veer Singh, Subash Pandey, Girija Shankar, Pawan Kumar, Rudra Pratap Bahuguna, Rajendar Nakoti, Mohan Kumar and others were present on the occasion.

Demanding new pay scales, teachers stage protest
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 22
The State Teachers Association intensified their protest in support of their 13-point demands. Teachers of government schools across the state boycotted their work here today. The office-1 bearers of the association led the protest at the District Education Office here and raised slogans against the government.

Karnail Singh, president of the State Teachers Association, said, “This time we are going to continue our agitation until the government does not meet our demands. The government has been sitting on our demands for the last two years.”

Notably, the main demand of the association includes teachers who have completed 10 years of service must be given new pay scale on the lines of the Kumaon division, making state education into English medium, giving 22 days leaves to teachers who gave their services in the recently held pnachayat elections in the state, filling 700 vacant posts of principals in government schools, etc.

Meanwhile, classes in government schools across the state remained closed due to the teachers’ protest. Even elementary school teachers have also joined the agitation and assured their full support to the protesting teachers.

Those who were present on the occasion included state president of the association Karnail Singh, general secretary SS Chauhan, and state patron Virendra Singh Rautela.

Ministerial staff yet to hear from govt
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 22
The ongoing agitation by ministerial collectorate employees continued on the 15th consecutive day today.

The protesters have threatened to intensify the agitation if the state government does not take effective steps to fulfil their year-long pending demands.

The ministerial workers gathered on the collectorate campus today and raised anti-government slogans in support of their demands.

They lamented that the memorandum highlighting their demands was submitted many times to top bureaucrats and public representatives, but steps were yet to be taken by the department to fulfil their demands. Speaking on the occasion, Rajendra Kumar, district president of the Uttarakhand Ministerial Workers Association, said association members had decided to continue with their agitation till their demands were fulfilled by the state government. He said pay anomaly, filling of vacant posts, timely promotion etc. are a few demands of the association.

BJP flays govt for failing to repair Badrinath highway
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 22
With resentment brewing among the local people against the government for failing to repair the Badrinath highway, badly affecting their livelihood, the Uttarakhand BJP, too, has stepped up its attacks against the Rawat government.

The Leader of the Opposition in the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly Ajay Bhatt today criticised the Harish Rawat government for failing to repair the Badrinath highway that was damaged in the floods last year, forcing the people to start an agitation.

“More than a year has passed but the government has been shuffling the work between the construction agencies comprising the Border Roads Organsiation (BRO) and the Public Works Department but the Badrinath national highway which falls on the Char Dham route continues to be in a state of disrepair. Fed up with the attitude of the government, the local people, priests and business men have launched an agitation under the banner of Aapda Sangharsh Samiti , but the government is unmindful of the pain of the people,” said Bhatt in a statement.

He said that while the government has been unhappy with the functioning of the BRO, even the PWD, the agency that replaced BRO, did not come up with flying colours. “A road and a wall built by the state agency collapsed within a month, exposing the government’s ineptitude in selecting agencies and getting work done,” said Bhatt.

The broken Badrinath highway has also affected the tourist and pilgrim flow, which has again affected the local business, whose prospects have been dismal since the 2013 natural disaster.

What has incensed the BJP leaders is the government’s inability to take up repair work on priority basis on the Char Dham route. BJP Garhwal coordinator Mahinder Bhatt had even pointed out that he had already submitted a memorandum to the chief minister on behalf of the Aapda Sangharsh Samiti but he had not taken any steps to contain the resentment of the people.

“Further, Swami Atmanandji Maharaj has threatened to go on a jal samadhi in Badrinath on September 24 and the business community too has threatened to go on a hunger strike, if things do not improve,” said Mahinder Bhatt.

For that matter Agriculture Minister Harak Singh Rawat too had raised the issue of broken roads in Rudraprayag district, more than a year after the disaster. “ The roads are broken at many places, affecting day-to-day transportation and it is getting increasingly difficult to explain to the people,” he said.

No wonder, the BJP has lapped up the discomfort of the government and BJP chief Teerath Singh Rawat has even warned the government of launching an agitation if the agencies continue to function in this fashion. 

DM inspects feasibility of projects 
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, September 22
District Magistrate (DM) D Senthyl Pendiyan today inspected proposed sites of the projects, submitted by different government departments for the Ardh Kumbh 2016.

The DM during his observation said proposals without technical reports and on site photographs would not be considered for the Ardh Kumbh projects.

He made it clear that a Chief Engineer level officer should be made nodal officer for the Ardh Kumbh fair projects by every department and nodal agency involved.

Directing officials to start work by submitting detailed project report by September 30, as Chief Minister Harish Rawat has released an initial grant of Rs 100 crore for the Ardh Kumbh fair.

“Construction companies will not be given direct funding. The companies will get funds through their respective government departments like the PWD, Irrigation and Municipal Corporation. This step is being taken as there is no technical wing in existence. After ensuring feasibility, viability and durability of the construction work, then only fund will be released to the company,” said the DM. Pendiyan said every department would have to submit a certificate that the plan or project proposed by the department had not been proposed or got sanctioned earlier.

Inspecting Bhagat Singh square and sub-urban Jwalapur, where water logging has been the major problem for the past decade, the DM said technical input based proposal should be made in this regard to get rid of water logging problem. Pendiyan also inspected the bridge location near the hill bypass-Har-ki-Pauri, which was to be constructed at a cost of Rs 10 crore.

Sub Divisional Magistrate Jeevan Singh Nangiyal, City Magistrate KK Mishra, Mukhya Nagar Adhikari Vipra Trivedi, Chief Engineer Irrigation JP Jugran, Chief Engineer PWD Hari Om Sharma, Chief Engineer Jal Nigam RK Joshi and other officials were present.

Doctors divided over proposed boycott 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 22
Though a group within the Provincial Medical and Health Services managed to prevail upon the doctors to suspend the proposed OPD boycott call from today on the issue of delay in the implementation of Direct Assured Career Progression (DACP), the retreat has led to deep divisions within the PMHS.

A vocal group was keen to observe boycott and then follow it up with mass resignations but were persuaded by others to tone down. “Led by the opposition party leaders, a section in the PMHS was keen to build up confrontation but their efforts have been thwarted for now. The medicos cannot act irresponsibly, in the past too we had earned a bad name because of the politics of confrontation. Though we have been able to suspend the agitation for the time being but it will be difficult in the future,” said a senior doctor.

The issue continues to bedevil the doctors, as the government has said that it is a Central scheme that has been implemented in the country by the Central government but the doctors say that some states have managed to implement it with some modifcation and want the Uttarakhand government to do the same. But as things stand today, the issue can only gather pace, if it receives green signal from the Department of Finance.

The issue has also snow balled into a major controversy as doubts are being raised about the efficiency of the present office- bearers of the PMHS and their ability to work in the interest of the doctors. “Certain office-bearers have begun to take unilateral decisions, which is not in the interest of PMHS, If things go on in this manner, we may be forced to dissolve it and call for fresh elections,” added a senior doctor. 

Protest against illegal hostels
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 22
The local residents of Ekta Vihar in Thakurpur held a protest at the district headquarters demanding closure of illegal hostels running in the locality here today. The protesters led by BJP leader Laxmi Aggarwal also submitted a memorandum to the district magistrate in support of their demand.

The locals are claiming that one institution is running illegal girls' hostel in their locality from where sewage water is drained out openly into the roads, causing unhygienic conditions in the area.

They also said that the hostel management has been communicated about the problems faced by the local residents due to the hostel but no action was taken by them. During the protest, Shobha, Anshi Gusain, Aasha Sain, Chuma Devi and many others were present.

Mayukh Mahar adamant on dharna against his own govt
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, September 22
Speculations are ripe on the proposed dharna of Congress MLA Mayukh Mahar against his own party government from October 2 at the local Gandhi Chowk. Mayukh Mahar has remained adamant on his dissidence against the state government on his demands despite assurance given by the Chief Minister Harish Rawat. Mayukh Mahar has written to the CM regarding his demands which the chief minister had called ''letter bombs.''

“ The MLA seems unsatisfied with the gesture the Chief Minister offered in the form of token money released for construction of Awanlaghat pumping project for drinking water in the town and filing essential documents to construct the base hospital at the site proposed by the MLA at district headquarters,” said Bhagwan Singh Rawat, a social activist and convener of Pithoragarh Lok Manch.

Local political activists see the “letter bomb” strategy of Mahar only to get local sympathy as due to “non-performance” of the Congress government in last two years, the popularity of the MLA has gone down. “The government could do only what it announced immediately after the protest by Mahar as it has released the budget for the base hospital and natural lake proposed in the town and for the long awaited alternative drinking water scheme in the town,” said Mathura Datt Joshi, a senior Congressman in the district.

The local MLA has released three letters to the local press written by him to the CM, alleging that by not completing the assured schemes in his Assembly constituency, the chief minister wants to alienate him politically. “It seems it is his strategy to isolate me politically in the eyes of common voters as the developmental works assured by the chief minister and the party during the election campaign in the district are not being,” said the Congress MLA.

Some political observers see it as a reaction and frustration of the local Congress MLA after Dharchula's former MLA Harish Dhami is being given more weightage by the chief minister's camp since Dhami vacated his seat for CM. “ It is obvious frustration and protest by the Congress MLA as his ambition to become chief minister's favourite has been nipped in the bud. On the other hand, Harish Dhami has sacrificed his political career for the CM,” said Govind Singh Mahar, a statehood activist and BJP leader in the district.

BJP leader Prakash Pant has said that the government as well as local Congress MLA are befooling the people of the district headquarters as after allowing stoppage of already under construction schemes of drinking water, base hospital and artificial lake in the district headquarters and withdrawing its released budget during BHP rule, it has announced token money for these only to appease the hostile MLA. 

MLA unsatisfied with CM’s gesture

* Local Congress MLA Mayukh Mahar has released three letters to the local press written by him to Chief Minister Harish Rawat alleging that by not completing the assured schemes in his Assembly constituency, the Chief Minister wants to alienate him politically.

Open route from Kanchoti bridge, demand villagers
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, September 22
People of Darma valley have urged the district administration to open the route from the Kanchoti bridge to 11 villages of the valley as they have started preparing for their winter migration from the first week of October.

“Darma villagers have faced tough time in reaching to their respective villages from their winter residents this year as the route has been closed for the last 90 days. They will have to face difficulty in reaching their winter residences in the coming days if the route does not get cleared before the first week of October,” said Manoj Nagnyal, a zila panchayat member from the Darma valley.

The route from Tawaghat to Kanchoti was highly affected in the 2013 disaster. Due to the flash floods in the Dhauli river, the Kanchoti bridge was washed away and several parts of the route were broken. “Due to that damage, the route to the Kailas Mansarowar yatra was to be diverted from there after three batches of pilgrims passed from the route,” Nagnyal said.

He said the PWD had opened route from Kanchoti to Narayan Ashram last week, but it was of no use until the route from Tawaghat to Kanchoti was opened as locals from the Narayan Ashram side would not be able to reach Tawaghat.

“Until the way to Sobla from Kanchoti will not be opened, Darma residents will not be able to begin their annual migration to their winter residents in lower valleys,” said the zila panchayat member from the area.

The residents have urged the administration to depute a helicopter at the valley to avoid any emergency situation if excess snowfall occurs during their migration period in October, besides construction of migration route and bridges on it.

Shining example of Hindu, Muslim unity in Haridwar 
Sandeep Rawat
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, September 22
While on the hand communal riots in many parts of the northern region have somewhat impacted the communal harmony existing between Hindus and Muslims, in Haridwar the bonhomie between the two communities is an ideal example for others to follow.

With the enactment of Ramlila shows, based on epic Ramayana, in Haridwar in large numbers, several Muslim activists are cooperating in successful hosting of Ramlilas.

From stage decoration, flower decoration to even inaugurating Ramlila, Muslim activists present a facet rarely seen elsewhere in the region.

The centuries-old Ganga-Jamuna culture of Hindu-Muslim unity is aptly visible in Haridwar.Here during Kanwar pilgrimage, Muslims offer free refreshments to Lord Shiva devotees Kanwariyas, while during Roza Iftaar, Hindus host special Iftaar parties for their Muslim bretheren.

Today at Tehri displaced Suman Nagar Colony, Muslim activist Rao Affaq Ali inaugurated the Ramlila show.

For the past few years, Rao Affaq has been inaugurating Ram Leela, with Hindu organisers citing the example of involvement of Rao for social causes.

Inspired by life, thoughts, principles and ideals set up by Lord Rama as depicted in Ramayana, Rao Affaq said that today Ram Rajya is the need of the hour for the country.

“Lord Rama obeyed his father as an ideal son, loved his younger siblings as ideal brother, was king but didn’t get attached with the material aspects and even did not think twice before leaving his throne or even deity Sita owing to his high moral principles and accountability to the common folk as their king,” said Affaq.

Tehri Dam Rehabilitation Development Committee chairperson Surbir Singh Sajwan said that Haridwar gives a very good message to the entire world of communal harmony.

Sajwan said that during Kanwar pilgrimage fair almost two crore Lord Shiva devotees pass through suburban Jwalapur, a minority dominated township, but no communal riot or incident has ever occurred there since Independence.

“Muslims here in Haridwar make beautiful decorated Kanwars,on which holy Ganga jal is fetched by Kanwariyas. Hindus respond during the holy month of Ramzan by holding Iftaar and also inviting them for Ramlila shows.Those who fuel communal hatred and riots should learn from the example set by the two communities,” said Sajwan, a former state minister.

Muslim activists Rao Sharafat Ali,Farkat Ali,Rao Shahbaz and Pravez Ali remarked that be it Ramayana, Bhagwad Gita,Kuran,Bible or other holy books ,all state God is one and mutual love should exist between all communities.

Alam Siddiqui,an artiste who makes idols of Lord Ganesha, Kanwars and other deities hailing from Jwalapur,said that for an artiste religion or any such thing does not matter. It is imperative that one ensures the same ethics and do’s and don’ts as any other Hindu artiste would observe while making these religious idols or craft-stage decorations.

Former municipal chairperson Satpal Brahamchari opined that the presence of Har-ki-Pauri and Piran Kailyar shrine both in Haridwar made both the communities live together peacefully.

UPCL charging fixed power rates: Jan morcha
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 22
Activists of the Jan Sangarsh Morcha staged a protest against fixed charges levied on electricity bills by Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) at Vikasnagar today. The agitators have threatened to intensify the protest if the corporation does not accede to their demand.

The activists were led by former vice-president of the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam and state president of the Jan Sangarsh Morcha Raghunath Singh Negi. They raised anti-department slogans to register their protest.

The activists said the UPCL was charging fixed charges from electricity consumers despite the fact that the amount of electricity bill were below the limit.

A memorandum highlighting their demand of cancellation of fixed charges on electricity bill was submitted to Vikasnagar SDM Arvind Pandey.

Power outages in Dehradun

Dehradun, September 22
Several localities of Dehradun faced power cuts due to acute shortage of electricity in the state.

Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) officials blamed that gap between demand and availability of electricity had once again increased in the state, thus forcing the corporation to implement power cuts in different areas of the state.

Among the worst-affected areas are Dalanwala, Haridwar road, Chukhumohalla, Neshvilla road, Patel Nagar, Rajpur road, etc. Sources confirmed that power cut was implemented due to maintenance works lined up by corporation in order to ensure disruption-free electricity to consumers. — TNS

134 subordinate officers join ITBP in Mussoorie
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, September 22
As many as 134 subordinate officers after completing 25-week-long rigorous and tough training joined the mainstream of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) during a colourful passing-out parade and attestation ceremony at the ITBP Academy in Mussoorie today.

The chief guest, Director, academy, IG ITBP, Harbahjan Singh was presented with the ceremonial guard of honour and review of the parade.

IG Harbhajan Singh distributed the citation and trophies to the trainees for their excellent performance during the course in different streams.

The parents of passing-out officers, government dignitaries and distinguished local representatives, serving and retired ITBP officers and their families also witnessed this ceremony.

Sunil Kumar Muletha was adjudged as the best trainee while Anil Kumar Singh was adjudged best outdoor trainee on the occasion.

The chief guest IG Harbhajan Singh in his address welcomed the newly inducted subordinate officers and hoped that they would maintain the integrity and discipline of the force while serving the country. He also highlighted the operational achievements of the force, and reassured the nation of the preparedness of the ITBP to meet any challenge on the Indo-China border. He also said that ITBP was successfully guarding the long Indo-China border of the country with utmost alertness and despite the difficult terrain. He said that the ITBP officers will adhere to the training imparted to them while serving the country. DIG, ITBP, Davendar Singh, welcoming all on the occasion said that the newly inducted officers would rise to the challenge whenever confronted in their career.

Around 16 subordinate officers from Bihar,13 from Haryana, 2 from Jammu and Kashmir,11 from Rajasthan, 30 from Uttar Pradesh, 2 from Arunachal Pradesh, 43 from Uttarakhand, 6 from Himachal Pradesh,1 from Assam,1 from Maharashtra,2 from Tamil Nadu,3 from West Bengal and 4 from Odisha were inducted today.

Commandant, Administration, Anil Kumar, IG Northern Frontier, IS Negi, DIG SK Saini,former DIG Hira Singh, Commandant, training, Senthil Kumar, and others were present on the occasion.The POP ceremony concluded with a thrilling karate display by the jawans.

École Globale is 4th best girls’ school
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 22
École Globale from Dehradun has been ranked IV amongst girls residential schools in India by a Delhi-based magazine.

The survey has been conducted by a Delhi-based C fore Consulting for Education World (EW), India’s pioneer education news and analysis (monthly) magazine.

The EW India School Rankings 2014 is based on the responses/opinions of a carefully selected sample of 8,263 socio-economic category A (SECA) parents, teachers, principals and eminent educationists across 25 cities countrywide.

Over 800 top schools of the country have been rated on 14 parameters—academic reputation, co-curricular activities, sports education, teacher welfare and development, individual attention to students.

DAV principal turns down college students demand
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 22
The principal of DAV PG College turned down the demand of college student union leaders of changing the OMR merit forms of over 300 students who have allegedly committed mistakes in filling the merit forms.

On Monday a students’ delegation led by college union president Paras Goyal met the principal in his office and demanded that the students who are now out of the merit due to the OMR sheet mistakes should be given fresh chance.

The students are claiming that the mistakes are committed by the college and not students.

College principal Devendra Bhasin told The Tribune: “During scrutiny of the OMR merit forms, we found that around 315 students have filled wrong information in the form to get into the merit list but their act was caught.”

On the question raised by the college students that few eligible students did not get 10 weightage points, the college principal has assured the students of rectifying the mistake if any eligible student did not get the points.

Meanwhile, the college management has decided to set up a help centre for resolving the merit forms-related complaints of the students.

16 schools participate in English debate contest
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 22
Unison World School, Dehradun, hosted the 4th All-India Shri Naveen Agarwal Ji Memorial Inter-School English Debate to commemorate the 63rd birth anniversary of the founder of the school, Naveen Agarwal, here today.

As many as 16 schools participated in the debate. VR Gardner, Principal of St Jude’s School, Dehradun, was the chief guest. The judges for the event were Anita Arora and Veena Kalia. Arora has worked as the school coordinator in DPS, Dehradun, while Veena Kalia retired as the head of the Department (English) and was an active member of the Debating and Dramatics Society at St Joseph's Academy.

The topic for the debate was “Man can play god”. The debate was followed by an impromptu turncoat round. It was very intriguing to watch the participants contradict their own views with the stroke of the bell. The winner of the running trophy for the debate went to St George's College, Mussoorie. The winner of the turncoat round was Ashish Baweja from St George's College, Mussoorie, and the second position was bagged by Samridhi Gusain of Convent of Jesus and Mary, Dehradun.

Ashish Baweja from St George's College bagged the best speaker in favour of the motion and second position was bagged by Ayushi Baloni of St Thomas College, Dehradun. Atul Sharma from Colonel Brown School, Dehradun, was declared the best speaker against the motion and Harjot Kaur of Unison World School, Dehradun, and Pranav Baranwal of St Geroge's College, Mussoorie, jointly won the second best speaker award.

‘I am Kalam’ screened at Little Flower School
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 22
The screening of a film ‘I am Kalam’ was held at Little Flower School here today.

Students from Class I to V watched the film and later voiced how Dr Abdul Kalam inspires them. “I am Kalam” is a Hindi film directed by Nila Madhab. The plot revolves around Chotu, who is inspired by life of former President of India APJ Abdul Kalam.

The character of Chotu has been performed by Harsh Mayar, a slum boy from Delhi. The film premiered at the 63rd Cannes Film Festival on May 12, 2010. It has been showcased in various film festivals and has bagged many awards and honours since its release in 2011.

A talk on the role of SPIC MACAY in promoting cultural awareness among students was held after screening of the film. “The film classics are an inspirational, intelligent, topical and entertaining way of connecting to kids. This is the first of many events which the school will be holding in the coming days. SPIC MACAY is a dynamic and sustainable movement aimed at connecting students to their culture. The students enjoyed the film classic and we with SPIC MACAY will hold more such screening in the coming days,” said Ratna Manucha, Principal, Little Flower School.

The other schools and institutes participating in the film screening are Woodland School, John Martyn Memorial School, Raja Rammohan Roy Academy, Rajeev Gandhi Navodaya Vidyalaya, Doon University, Shigally Hills, Sardar Bhagwan Singh, Bristol School, Libra College of Law and Welham Boys.

Himani Shivpuri forms theatre group in Doon
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 22
Renowned film and television actor Himani Shivpuri has formed Dr Haridutt Bhatt Rang Sansthan on the occasion of the third death anniversary of her father, Dr Haridutt Bhatt Shailesh, at a function held here today.

Dr Haridutt Bhatt Shialesh was a renowned writer and teacher. He taught at The Doon School. Himani who hails from Dehradun said the sansthan would work to support theatre workshops. Shivpuri said members would work for rejuvenation of folk songs and dance and work to give opportunity to youth to work in the theatre. She highlighted that Uttarakhand was known for its vast folk culture, tradition etc.

Raman Singh Rawat, Anurag Verma, Sarika Mohan, Subhash Devradi, Shivani Mishra, Abhishek Dobhal, Shyamlal Bahuguna, Rajeev Mishra, Ashish Verma, Radha Bharadwaj, and more were present.

Thieves strike at electronics shop in city
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 22
Thieves struck at Sunny Electronics Shop in the Patel Nagar police station area on the Shimla bypass road last night.

The thieves entered the shop after breaking the walls of a bank and furniture shop, which were adjacent to the attacked shop. According to the police, the thieves first broke the wall of Nainital Bank branch and then broke the wall of furniture shop before entering into the electronic shop.

Meanwhile, the shop owner, Ajit Singh, has told the police that two LED TVs, three laptops and 30 mobile phones are missing from the shop. To destroy the evidence, the thieves decamped with CCTV cameras and hard disks installed at the bank and the showroom. According to the shop owner, the thieves stole goods worth Rs 8 to 10 lakh.

Notably, the incident came to light when the shop owner opened his shop this morning. Senior police officials visited the shop and started the investigation and teams have been set up to nab the culprits.

It is to be noted that in a almost similar case of theft, thieves stuck at a computer showroom in Connaught Place earlier this year and decamped with more than 90 laptops. Although, the laptops were later seized by the police.

Two US Nagar constables held 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 22
Two days after arresting one Uttarakhand constable, the Uttar Pradesh police have now arrested two more constables of Udham Singh Nagar police for their alleged involvement in the robbery of jewellery worth Rs 2 crore from a showroom in Bulandshahr on September 11.

The Uttar Pradesh Police have alleged that the arrested constables, Deepak Bisht and Pankaj Kumar, also conspired in the crime. Earlier, police constable Pramod, who was posted at Rudrapur kotwali, was arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Police on Friday and is behind the bars.

Reportedly, the arrest was done after Uttar Pradesh police submitted a charge sheet in 
the Rudrapur police station on Sunday night in which the names of two constables were there as conspirators.

It is to be noted that the robbery took place on September 11 and Uttar Pradesh police alleged, on the basis of CCTV footage, that the constables seen inside the jewellery shop were from Uttarakhand police, who had taken a prisoner, Manish Verma from Haldwani to Aligarh for a hearing in connection with another jewellery loot case.

Notably, the police also claimed that the man who is seen wearing a helmet in the CCTV footage is actually Manish Verma who is lodged in Haldwani case in connection with another case of 2010.

However, these three constables from Uttarakhand were under a cloud of suspicion since beginning and were interrogated also by the Uttar Pradesh Police a day after their names surfaced in the robbery case on the basis of CCTV footage. Consequently, they were suspended by Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Udham Singh Nagar, Riddhim Aggarwal, for dereliction of duty.

Two chain snatchers arrested
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 22
The Dehradun police arrested two chain snatchers from Dhamawala market and recovered a stolen gold chain here today.

According to Superintendent of Police (SP), City, Ajay Singh, “Two motorcycle-borne youth snatched gold chain from Sonali Aggarwal from Hanuman chowk when she was going back to her house at Khurbara with her husband on Sunday”.

The victims informed the police about the incident after which a team was set up under Lakhibagh police post in charge Naresh Rathore to nab the chain snatchers. On the basis of information provided by Sonali and her husband about the identity of the snatchers, the police carried out a manhunt in the entire Kotwali area.

This morning, the police team finally managed to track down the location of both accused, identified as Sumit Kumar and Ravindra Kumar, and arrested them from Dhamawala market. 

Morning Star Club lift football title
Tribune News Service

Dehradun,September 22
Morning Star Football Club won the Mekh Gurung Memorial One-Day Football Tournament after defeating Kandali Villa Football Club in the final match played at the Mahindra playground here today.

Morning Star won the match in the tie-breaker 5-4 after both teams failed to score a single goal in the normal allotted duration.

It is to be noted that the Mekh Gurung Memorial One-Day Football Tournament was organised under the aegis of Vijay Cantt Football Club.

Badminton finals today
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, September 22
The final match of the East Zone Inter-State Badminton Championship in both boys’ and girls’ category will be played at the city sports complex tomorrow.

In the singles’ event, P Vishal of Jharkhand beat Swadhin Gauda of Odissa 2-0. P Vishal and Ayaz Mahmod duo won against M Dushyant and Abhimanyu by 2-1.

Budhit Joshi of Uttarakhand won against Shubham Singh in a close fought 2-1 contest to cruise into the knockout semifinal phase. The pair of Budhit Joshi and Himansu Tiwari defeated the duo of Shubham Singh and Anubhav 2-1.

Rituparna Panda of Odissa defeated Isha of Jharkhand in straight sets to cruise into the next phase. Jeenat defeated Lisha Rani. In the doubles event, Isha and Shagufta defeated Rituparna and Yara Shri comprehensively.

District Badminton Association secretary Ashutosh said the semifinal and final match of singles and doubles will be played in both girls’ and boys’ category from 9 am onwards. The prize distribution ceremony will be held at the city sports complex.

Ashutosh said the high standard of badminton skills being displayed by the players from across the country had raised the level of the championship.

Emphatic win for Shigally Hills in basketball
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 22
The DDSCA Junior Girls Under-15 Basketball Tournament began at Welham Girls’ School here today.

As many as eight teams are participating in the tournament. In the inaugural match, Shigally Hills International School defeated The Heritage School 10-2 with Phurba of Shigally scoring highest five points in the match.

In the second match of the day, host Welham Girls’ School defeated Carmen School Dalanwala 54-34. Shivani of Welhams scored 14 points while Amisha of Carmen School scored maximum 16 points in the match.

Summer Valley School got a walkover against Hilton School after the latter did not come to play the match. Unison World School also won its match against St Thomas College by 19-8. Priyal scored four points for Unison while Divya of St Thomas scored four points in the match.

DAV Public School beat Naari Shilp School

The Under-15 Boys and Girls Open Basketball Championship kicked off at Multipurpose Sports Complex in Parade Ground here today. The first match took place in the girls open category in which DAV Public School team defeated Naari Shilp Mandir Girls Inter School 29-16. In the second match in the same category, DAV PG College registered a 30-20 win over Naari Shilp Mandir Inter School.

Only one league match was played in the boys under-15 category on the inaugural day with Doon Valley Public School defeating DAV Public School 17-10.