The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

New secretariat is a sitting duck
Ramesh Ramachandran
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 13
Stung by the brazen attack at Parliament House, the Government of NCT of Delhi on Thursday beefed up security at vital installations and placed agencies concerned on alert. Prior to calling on the injured who are convalescing in Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit convened an emergency meeting of the Cabinet and reviewed the security arrangements in the Capital.

A senior official told The NCR Tribune that instructions “of a routine nature” have been issued to step up the vigil around government properties and that there was no cause for panic. An in-principle decision to extend security cover to all the ministers of the Government of NCT of Delhi has also been taken. For the first time, all the six ministers would be provided with ‘Y’ category security cover. Earlier, security cover was extended only upon request or on the basis of threat perception. The chief minister would continue to enjoy ‘Z’ security.

Even after the Delhi Government claimed to have secured vital installations and stepped up vigil, the question that troubles Delhiites is how safe is the Capital. In spite of the high alert sounded by the government, officials entrusted with evolving security practices are a worried lot. But for a posse of unarmed security personnel contracted from a private agency, the New Secretariat at ITO that houses the offices of chief minister and her Cabinet colleagues continues to remain virtually unguarded. A private agency, the Delhi-based Indian Industrial Security Services Private Limited, has been contracted for the task of securing the complex. The contract expired in October-end but has been renewed, pending the deployment of Central Industrial Security Force personnel.

Furthermore, a secretary-level official concerned with formulating policies in this regard told The NCR Tribune that the Delhi Police takes an estimated three minutes and the Fire Department anywhere between 20 and 40 minutes to respond to a “situation” and, therefore, almost always it is the people (read community) that is the ‘First Responder’. “Response time is absolutely crucial,” said the official, “and that calls for a certain degree of preparedness and planning.” The onus, according to him, was therefore on Delhiites themselves.

Among the proposals forwarded to the government is setting up of Emergency Operations Centre – a “secured” building in the Capital and elsewhere, equipped with high-end technology but not a bunker – that would remain operational even during crises. Upgrading of police force and raising of specially trained personnel is another priority area as, officials concede, the threats posed by ‘professionalisation’ of terrorists could not be ignored, particularly after the Thursday’s carnage at Parliament House.

Officials say there is an urgent need of an institutional mechanism to deal with suspected terrorist attacks. What is of particular concern to officials is the spectre of an Indian version of ‘‘intifada’’ spearheaded by “alienated youth.” They believe “corrective” measures should be undertaken without delay to “reduce” casualties in the future.

When hope flickers like a dying lamp
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 13
Utter confusion reigned at the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, where the victims of Parliament House carnage were admitted. Four persons were operated upon in the hospital and the condition of others was being monitored.

A large number of persons arrived at the hospital as the news spread, but the families of the victims were informed quite late in the day. Many relatives told the NCR Tribune that they came to know about the shocking incident from TV.

The scene was extremely grim in the hospital as relatives vent their feelings and others tried to console them. Many came to check the list of CRPF and police personnel killed/injured in the shootout.

The high security in the emergency enclosure prevented them from entering the area, which heightened their anxiety and they pleaded with the doctors to ascertain the `true’ identity of the personnel being treated. Kamala Devi heaved a sigh of relief when she found that her husband was not among the injured . But many others were not as fortunate.

Mewa Devi, sister of Nanak Chand, ASI of Delhi Police, on hearing the news, rushed to the hospital. She was shocked to learn that Nanak Chand had been killed in the shooting and was brought dead to the hospital. Crying inconsolably, she said: “We have not informed his wife, who lives in Sonepat with six children. We are worried what would be her future and the fate of these children.”

Sameer Singh, 35, the Personal Security Officer of Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson, Ms Najma Heptullah, who hails from Jhajjar district, is being treated for bullet injuries in the right thigh. Incidentally, he was recommended for the President’s Police Medal for saving lives during the Uphaar blaze.

Speaking to the NCR Tribune from the hospital bed, he said: “I was sitting in the park near gate number 11 when a person in army uniform started hurling grenades and firing from an automatic weapon. Seeing this, I retaliated.”

Another injured constable, Hans Raj, Special Duty Group of CRPF, said, “I saw one terrorist near gate number five, which is exclusively reserved for the Prime Minister. Several others joined the terrorist clad in army uniform and they started firing indiscriminately. Seeing this, I retaliated.”

“I had asked my wife to take a month’s leave and she had planned to take it soon. I never knew that she would be leaving us for ever,” said Avdesh Kumar, husband of Kamalesh Kumari, the lone woman Constable of CRPF to be killed in the incident. She has two daughters including a one-year old girl child.

‘If Parliament is not safe, then are we?’
Our Correspondent

New Delhi, December 13
Panic and disbelief, which soon gave way to grief, gripped the Capital as news of a terrorist attack on one of the most secure addresses in the country, Parliament, spread.

With bitter memories of the September 11 attack still fresh, this incident has added to the sense of insecurity and fright. People in the Capital are yet to reconcile with the truth that the majestic and well-protected Parliament has been attacked.

“It is unbelievable. I am completely zapped. Are the terrorists super human or are we unfit for job. Look at the security blanket at Parliament. If, inspite of it, we are witnessing such attacks, then it is a national shame”, said, Aruna, a bank employee.

With the news of attack spreading like wild fire, people started apprehending similar attacks elsewhere in the Capital, “I started thinking, Oh my God! It looks like the WTC attack. First they attack the important buildings and gradually they’ll spread around. One can still not be sure of one’s safety”, added Samita, a Central government employee.

“This incident is a complete shock. Our emergence from this tunnel of darkness is not going to be soon. As a nation we must try harder to resolve this situation, which is so threatening. We must beef up security, people should try and cooperate with all sorts of security measures and not get upset if they have to go through the motions of security check”, said the President of the Indian Women’s Press Corps, Ms. Shanta Serbjeet Singh.

While some believe that this attack is a bolt from the blue, there are others who disagree. “This is something which was anticipated by most of us. The WTC attacks, the attack on the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, these were all indicators of trouble brewing around us. The government should have been prepared for such horrendous incidents. What is so shameful for the government is that these people managed to get into Parliament. The fact that they have been killed is hardly a consolation.’’

It’s time the government took stern steps to deal with Pakistan, it is high time we stopped this business of dialogues and talks. I feel this is the unfinished task of 1947”, said the President of the Kashmiri Samiti, Mr. Sunil Shakdher. The general refrain is that political parties must jettison their petty bickerings and join hands to ensure the safety of the nation. “I firmly believe that all political parties, which until now were protesting against POTO, must now review their stand. Violence breeds violence, there has to be an effective way of dealing with this nuisance. If six people can walk into Parliament carrying arms, this means there is something essentially wrong with our security. There has to be a national consensus on safety at least”, opined Dr. Ranjana Kumari, Director of Centre for Social Research.

Meanwhile, work in the North and South Blocks as well as in other Bhavans, which house various ministeries, came to a standstill. Frightened and concerned people could be seen huddled together. Huge crowds were seen around radio and television sets in market places, as people strained to catch up on the latest bit of information.

Capital under thick security blanket
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 13
The Capital witnessed one of the heaviest deployment of policemen and paramilitary forces within hours of the ‘fidayeen’ attack on Parliament today as the emergency plan, finalised several months ago following terrorist threats, was activated.

Contingents of Army were deployed in the VIP areas, particularly around the residences of the prime minister and his senior cabinet colleagues, opposition leaders and other senior officials of the government facing terrorist threats.

Armed policemen were seen patrolling almost every street in the Capital and the deployment was particularly heavy in the congested market and commercial areas. “ The idea is to instill a sense of confidence among the people who are understandably shocked and scared over the Parliament incident,’’ a senior police officer said. The officer claimed that within minutes of the incident, roadblocks were set up in the heavily protected VIP areas in the Capital to prevent any suspects from escaping. Roadblocks were also set up at the border check posts. Additional policemen were also deployed around some of the vital installations in the National Capital territory with special attention to buildings housing US citizens and companies.

The security around some of the multinational companies, which have their offices in Gurgaon, was recently upgraded following the September 11 attacks and the continuing threat to them.

HSIDC wants to rob industrialists to pay HUDA
A. Jain

Gurgaon, December 13
Around 1,600 industrialists of Udyog Vihar and Sector 18 here agitated over the Haryana State Industrial Development Corporation’s move to slap Rs 402 per square metre as external development charges (EDCs).

The corporation (HSIDC) took the decision on the ground that the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) had demanded EDCs from it for the land bought by the corporation.

Various associations of industrialists have flayed the HSIDC decision and demanded its withdrawal. The industrial estates of Udyog Vihar and Sector 18 were developed 15 years ago by the HSIDC. The corporation has already levied two enhanced payments – Rs 75 per square metre in August 1989 and Rs 175 in July 1991 – as development charges, they point out. They warn that if the demand for additional charges is not withdrawn, they would be forced to either close their units or shift to other states. .

The HSIDC has divided the total amount, depending upon the area of the plot, into three instalments and directed the entrepreneurs to deposit the first instalment by December 31 this year, second by March 31 and the third by May 31 next year.

The notice says that in case the instalments are not paid on due dates, the owner of the plot would be required to pay the same with 15 per cent interest per annum. It further warns that the default shall not exceed the due date for the third instalment that is May 31, 2002. Further, if there is a default on the third installment, it would entail resumption of the plot.

The Chamber of Industries of Udyog Vihar (CIUV), a newly formed industrial association representing the industries of the area, lamented that the HSIDC was flouting all norms of law and acting in a cold-hearted manner.

The plot holders were made to suffer for no fault of theirs in Udyog Vihar, alleged Mr Raj Singla, general secretary of the CIUV. He said that despite full payments for the plots, the conveyance deeds were not being executed in a large number of cases, even after 10 years. Linking conveyance deeds of plots with completion certificates of construction had no basis, he said. The implementation of various projects had been held up for many years, as loans from financial institutions were not possible without collateral, Mr Singla added.

Meanwhile, the general secretary of the Gurgaon Industrial Association (GIA),

Mr Vipul Bedi, said that the demand for EDCs from industrialists by the HSIDC on the plea that HUDA had demanded the amount from it, was absolutely illegal. After 15 years, HUDA could not seek any amount from the HSIDC just because it had purchased the land from HUDA, added Mr Bedi.

In a letter, written to other industrial associations, the CIUV said that the demands were absurd and had to be condemned. They were tantamount to holding the entrepreneurs hostage in the name of allotting plots under a welfare scheme.

An industrialist having a plot of 450 square metre has to pay Rs 1,80,900 by May 31, 2002. The HSIDC intends to collect around Rs 10 crore by way of EDCs. However, officials of the department have failed to explain why this huge amount had to be given to HUDA. And in return, what HUDA would do for the industrialists of Udyog Vihar and Sector 18, asked Mr A. P. Jain, founder and general secretary of the Udyog Vihar Industries Association (UVIA).

The associations have suggested to the state government to reconsider its decision. Otherwise, no entrepreneur would think of buying a plot in the Industrial Estate being developed by the HSIDC here in future.

COMMUNITY

No cop at this deadly chowk
Rohit Wadhwaney

New Delhi, December 13
The resident of the area refers to it as the “killer road.” And it is not without any reason. The police records show that in the past five years, there had been 25 major accidents on the road between the Nanakpura Gurudwara and the Moti Bagh crossing on the ring road.

Moreover, there are nearly 10 schools that lie between the gurudwara and the Moti Bagh traffic signal. Residents said school children were forever putting their lives in danger by not using the zebra crossing while crossing the killer road .

Traffic on this road, leading to the Dhaula Kuan crossing, usually move at a very high speed. Nearby residents say none of the vehicles stop at the Nanakpura Gurudwara traffic signal. “Not even a single traffic constable are seen at the crossing to control the vehicles. No wonder, there have been so many accidents here, and they will continue if suitable action is not taken soon,” said Vinod Bhatnagar, the Area Welfare Officer.

The residents’ requests and complaints bore fruit when about a year ago a subway was built on the road. However, they complain that the subway has been built in the wrong place.

“It should have been built right near the gurudwara instead of near the Moti Bagh traffic signal. Lots of old people visit the gurudwara and they have a lot of problems crossing the road,” said Kulbir Singh, a regular visitor to the gurudwara.

One or two minor accidents on this road don’t surprise residents one bit. They are quite used to them now. “These chota-mota accidents keep happening. The only thing we are worried about is that there is not a single traffic policeman on this road. No one ever stops at the Nanakpura red light,” said Jaswinder Kaur, a resident of Moti Bagh.

The residents had also approached the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) to post a regular traffic policemen at the traffic signal, but there “has been no action whatsoever.”

All that a Delhi Traffic Police official had to say was: “If they don’t use subways, this is what will happen. Even a traffic police constable cannot stop a speeding car breaking a traffic signal, he can only note down the vehicle’s number.”

A Maruti 800 car at full speed hit Chinu Dhar, one of the victims of the “killer road,” while she was crossing it in 1998.

“I am lucky that I have lived to tell the tale. I was in bed for about 10 months after the accident. I spent Rs 45,000 on the rod that was fixed in my leg and with which I have to live with for the rest of my life,” Dhar told the NCR Tribune.

However, authorities said the residents were as much to blame for these accidents as those responsible for controlling the traffic in the Capital. “We admit the construction of subways was delayed and they should have come up earlier. But now they are there. Why aren’t the people using them?” asked a New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) official.

“Wherever we construct the subway, people living a little distance away from it will be upset. However, we have to go according to what is planned and not according to likes and dislikes of every individual citizen. If we go according to every single individual people, we will have to make a subway every two steps in the city. The subway is not very far from the Nanakpura gurudwara. They can easily walk it,” he said.

The official added that the actual problem was that Indians experience a thrill in risking their lives and then blaming the government for anything that went wrong.

“Now, there are so many subways in Delhi. How many are being used? Get me ten people out of the entire population of Delhi who use the subway to cross the road everyday.” The words of the NDMC official rings true as most of the subways across the national Capital remain isolated throughout the day.

It is a common sight to see people running haywire on the city roads to reach the other end. Unfortunately, due to the isolation, most of the city subways have become a hub of anti-social elements and activities.

SONEPAT
HUDA engineer roughed up by youths, four held
Our Correspondent

MR R. K. Hodda, a junior engineer of the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA), sustained serious injuries when a group of youths assaulted him and thrashed him grievously in the presence of a large number of people near Mamoon Bhanja Chowk here on Wednesday. Four of the culprits were arrested later.

According to a report, the incident occurred when a group of youngsters obstructed the ongoing beautification work of the chowk by standing in front of the road-roller. Mr Hooda later intervened and asked them to move away from the site. However, they resisted and allegedly assaulted him.

Mr Sat Narain, a contractor, and Mr Sanjiv Gupta, an employee of the Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam, caught hold of two youths but shopkeepers nearby managed to get them released. Thereupon, the youths fled the scene.

Mr Narain informed the Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police about the incident who, in turn, launched a massive hunt to nab the culprits. Four of them were arrested and one of them has been identified as Mohinder Singh of Kurur village.

Demonstration held

Residents of Nangal Khurd village held a demonstration in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s camp office here on Wednesday to press the demand for the removal of a woman sarpanch allegedly involved in the bungling of the panchayat funds.

The protestors also threatened to launch an agitation if the district authorities failed to take any action against the woman sarpanch and other officials allegedly involved in the racket. They complained that the district authorities were shielding the sarpanch on pressure from some ruling party politicians.

Youth Congress rally

The district unit of the Youth Congress will hold a rally on January 10 next year at Khewra village in the district. According to Mrs Sumitra Chauhan, a member of the HPCC, Mr Randeep Singh Surjewala, president of the All India Youth Congress, will address the rally and Dr Karan Singh, a former Union Minister, will address the meeting.

Drive against betting

The police have launched a campaign against satta (gambling) in the garb of lottery tickets in the city. The Superintendent of Police, Mr Paramjit Singh Ahlawat, told mediapersons here on Thursday that the police had carried out surprise raids at a number of lottery shops on the railway road and Tarana road and arrested six persons on the spot while they were engaged in satta.

The arrested persons, he said, had been identified as Bed Arora of Delhi Camp area, Rajoo of Kot Mohalla of Sonepat, Bharat of Gita Bhavan, Rajinder of Mohalla Kot, Naresh Sharma of four-marla colony and Ram Kumar Dhingra of Kot Mohalla. The police also seized Rs 6,385 in cash and other articles of gambling from them. A case under the Excise Act has been registered against them.

Driver killed

Sanjay Kumar, jeep driver, was killed after his jeep overturned near the chowk of Sectors 14 and 15 here Wednesday night.

According to a report, the victim was driving the jeep at its full speed and lost control resulting in the overturning of the jeep. Three other persons who were travelling in the jeep received minor injuries and they managed to escape. The police have registered a case and further investigations are in progress.

Pistol seized

The Sadar police arrested a youth, Ram Pandit of Salimsar Majra village, for allegedly carrying a country-made pistol and a live cartridge on Wednesday.

According to Mr Paramjit Singh Ahlawat, Superintendent of Police, the police had registered a case under the Indian Arms Act against the arrested youth. Further investigations are on.

Woman assaulted

A young housewife sustained serious knife injuries when she was allegedly attacked by the brother of her husband in a bid to molest her at the house at Garhi Brahmanan village in the outskirts of the city here Wednesday night.

According to a report, the culprit tried to molest her but she resisted. Thereupon, she was attacked with a knife. The police had registered a case and a hunt is on to apprehend the culprit.

Student hurt in mishap

Subhash, a student, was hit and seriously injured by a speeding truck on the old DC road here Wednesday evening. According to a report, the driver tried to escape but he was chased and arrested by Mr Hardeep Singh Doon, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Headquarters), who happened to pass through the area. Later, the truck was impounded and the driver was handed over to the police.

A case of rash and negligent driving has been registered by the police against the truck driver.

According to another report, six persons were injured when a jeep carrying them overturned on the Sonepat-Rohtak road near Jharot village, about 10 km from here, on Wednesday.

Another accident occurred on the same road when two trucks collided with each other injuring five persons travelling in them. Similarly, seven persons were injured when a maxi jeep collided with a car near Silana village, about 15 km from here, on Wednesday. The car was badly damaged in the accident.

In another accident occurred near Pipli village on the Kharkhauda-Delhi road when a jeep collided with a tractor. As a result, as many as eight persons were injured.

All the injured persons were immediately hospitalised and they are stated to be out of danger. The police are still investigating into the cases and no arrest has been made so far.

Trains late again, thousands stranded
Our Correspondent

Sonepat, December 13
Thousands of passengers, including government servants, school and college teachers and businessmen, remained stranded for hours together at the city and other nearby railway stations owing to the late running of long-distance and suburban trains on the DUK section of the Northern Railways today.

According to a report, dense fog and poor visibility were the main cause of disruption in the train services in the section. The New Delhi-bound Jhelum Express passed through Sonepat railway station an hour and 15 minutes behind schedule, causing overcrowding of the passengers in all bogies. Many women passengers had a tough time boarding the already over-crowded bogies and some of them were left behind. Railway authorities and Railway police stood as mute spectators and failed to assist the women passengers.

The Daily Railway Passengers Welfare Association today protested against the late running of trains in the section and alleged that its complaints to the authorities in this regard had fallen on deaf ears. In a press release, it urged the Union Railway Minister to take a serious note of the matter and direct the higher railway authorities to ensure scheduled arrival and departure of the trains.

Farmers asked to adopt new techniques
Our Correspondent

Jhajjar, December 13
The Agriculture Department yesterday organised a one-day training camp in Bahadurgarh for farmers with an aim to exhort them to increase the production of oil seed crops. A large number of farmers from throughout the district took part in the camp.

Mr Raj Singh Ahlawat, Deputy Director, Agriculture, who presided over the camp, called upon the farmers to adopt new techniques and use seeds for the cultivation of raj, toria, sarsaon, suraj mukhi etc.

He stressed that by adopting new techniques available in the farming sector, the farmers could increase the per hectare production while cutting down the expenses involved in the process.

Mr Ahlawat informed that 2,150 mini-kits on trial for oil seeds crops were distributed free of cost while 100 spray pumps and 930 metric tons of zipson were allotted on 50 per cent and 75 per cent subsidy, respectively.

1 killed in mishap

A three-wheeler driver was killed and two others were injured seriously when their vehicle collided with a truck near Silani village on the Tewari-Jhajjar road here yesterday.

CRIME

CBI catches TCIL officer red-handed
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 13
The anti-corruption branch of CBI's Delhi unit today arrested a Project Director (Uttar Pradesh-West) of Telecom Consultancy LTd (TCIL) from the Nehru Place office for taking a bribe of Rs 30,000 from a contractor who complained to the investigating agency. He was remanded in judicial custody till December 26 by the Special Judge, Tis Hazari.

The CBI has charged the accused of abusing his official position as a public servant and of demanding an illegal gratification of Rs 70,000 from the complainant for clearing the bills related to a contract executed by the latter.

The complainant had executed a cable duck work for three routes in Agra and received about Rs 50 lakh from TCIL. The remaining payment of around Rs 30 lakh was pending with TCIL. However, the Project Director allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 70,000 which was later reduced to Rs 30,000 for clearing the remaining payment.

In a follow up action, searches were conducted at his residence and office premises resulting in the detection of Rs 1.70 lakh, investments worth Rs 5lakh in FDRs, share certificates and NSCs, documents relating to two flats, one each at Munirka and Vasant Kunj. He also said to own a shop at Ghaziabad, a plot measuring 263 square yards at Sector-21, Gurgoan and have a bank balance of about Rs 15 lakh. The CBI also seized several incriminating documents during the searches which are being scrutinised.

Fake notes seized

Faridabad
Two youths, identified as Deepak and Sachin, residents of Kanjhawala village in Delhi, were arrested and seven fake currency notes of the denomination of Rs. 100 were seized in the DLF area here yesterday.

It is reported that the youths had gone to a pan shop in DLF here for buying some cigarettes. The two new notes of Rs 100 handed over by them raised some suspicion in the shop owner and he informed the police, who seized the fake notes.

One dies in mishap

One person was killed and three others injured when a van in which they were travelling got overturned near NHPC chowk on the national highway last night. The deceased identified as Vimal Kumar and his associates Suresh, Rahul and Surender had been coming back after attending a marriage function when their van got overturned after hitting a stone lying on the side of road. Vimal died in the spot.

Carjackers arrested
Tribune News Service

Faridabad, December 13
Four armed youths, who allegedly hijacked a Tata Sumo at gunpoint near Chandhut village last night, were nabbed soon after at a naka by the police.

According to the police, the accused did not stop the vehicle at the naka when policemen on duty signalled them to do so. The police party then chased the vehicle and arrested the culprits.

The Tata Sumo was hijacked at gunpoint from a person coming back from a marriage function near Chandhut village.