Wednesday, August 18, 1999
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P U N J A B | |
Wednesday, August 18, 1999 |
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Doraha areas submerged |
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Rift in
BJP comes to fore Sant Samaj to work against Badal Sodhi to take up matter with Badal
Parneet Kaur alleges code
violation Mittal sees no triangular fights Bhaura, Samao to file nominations
today Lok Bhalai Party to withdraw
nominees PYC leader fears rigging Police station gheraoed 3 grenades found under tree |
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More Doraha areas submerged DORAHA (Ludhiana), Aug 17 — Even as the areas along the Bathinda, Abohar and Sidhwan branches of Sirhind Canal in Ludhiana district have remained waterlogged for the past fortnight, the increase in discharge in the canal from the Ropar headworks yesterday has led to the overflowing of the water further aggravating the situation almost one-third of Doraha town is now submerged under three to four feet of water and the area has by almost three times since yesterday. Sources dealing with the problem today confirmed that the discharge from the Ropar headworks in Sirhind Canal increased for some time yesterday to provide more water to farmers of Faridkot, Bathinda, Sangrur, Mansa and Zira, which constitute a substantial vote bank of the ruling party. It is learnt that after power supply to parts of Faridkot district was disrupted two days ago because of a thunderstorm, officials of the Irrigation Department were directed to provide uninterrupted water supply to paddy growers in the catchment area along the tail end of the canal. Although Superintending Engineer (Canals) Shiv Dev Singh Dhaliwal denied that the water discharge in the canal had been increased and substantiated his claim by showing the gauge recordings as 10,300 cusecs for the past two days. It is learnt that the discharge was increased for some hours yesterday and that this increase was not shown in the gauge recordings. When contacted, Principal Secretary, Irrigation, Bikramjit Singh, denied that the water discharge had been increased. He said the department was more concerned about the welfare of the farmers in the catchment area along the tail end spread over four lakh acres of area, rather than a mere 500 acre area that had remained waterlogged in and around Doraha Mr Dhaliwal alleged that water-logging of more areas around Doraha was not because of overflowing. It was because of the impellor of the motor used by the Drainage Department digging a bore into the artificial bundh along the inlet of a canal resulting in the canal water flowing back into the flood drain. While officials of Drainage Department and the Canal Department have locked horns over who is to be blamed for the fiasco. The Doraha Municipal Council has accused, besides these two departments, the Punjab State Electricity Board and the Forest Department too for not removing encroachments along the flood drain and the PWD Department (B&R) for not constructing culverts on the drain which led to the problem. Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner Arun Goel, when contacted informed that the flow of water in Doraha town had now been stopped and two pumps had been installed to begin the dewatering of the town. "The dewatering will be completed within the next 24 hours" he said. Meanwhile, it is people residing in Doraha and in the 10-odd villages around it who still continue to suffer. Officials dealing with the situation, on the condition of anonymity, said the problem could be solved if the water discharge from Ropar was stopped for some time to bring down the water level and then the excess water thrown into the canal. However, Principal
Secretary, (Irrigation), Bikramjit Singh, told this
correspondent that the water discharge would not be
stopped and the authorities concerned would have to find
other ways of dewatering the area. |
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Punjab, J&K cops exchange
fire: 1 hurt KATHUA, Aug 17 — The Punjab Police of Batala police district led by SSP Lok Nath Angra and J&K Police of Kathua district led by DSP Border Shiv Dev Singh Jamwal clashed at Lakhanpur, border town of J&K and Punjab at 11.30 a.m. over to take credit for recovery of 20 kg RDX and two AK 47 rifles with large quantity of ammunition consignment and both police parties exchanged fire causing serious injuries to Punjab Police Inspector identified as Balbir Singh. According to Police sources Punjab Police team belonging to Fatehgarh Churian of Batala police district arrested one Khalistan Commando Force militant identified Amrik Singh of Batala two months back. On his interrogation, the Batala police came to know of huge arms and ammunition, RDX smuggled from Pakistan have been hidden in a nullah near Sanyal village of Hiranagar tehsil of Kathua district. On his identification Punjab Police informed the SSP Kathua, Mr R.R. Swain and team of the Punjab Police led by SP Batala reached the said village at 4 a.m. and recovered more than 20 kg RDX contained in polythene bag, 2 AK 47 rifles and large quantity of ammunition from the nullah. The local people informed the SHO Hiranagar, Mr R.P. Khajuria that some policemen and civilians with arms are searching in the nullah. The SHO Hiranagar flashed the messages to all police stations and nakas regarding the suspected policemen. However, when the Punjab Police was returning to their state on the three vehicles and J&K Police chased them. The Punjab Police did not stop at the four nakas. Kathua police then laid naka at Basohli More Kathua again the Punjab Police tried to break the naka and DSP Border, Mr Shiv Dev Singh took the position and fired aiming at the vehicle of Punjab Police. The tyre of the Ambassador Car No. PIA 168 burst containing the said arms and ammunition. But he could not caught by J&K police. The Punjab Police also returned the fire at J&K police. In exchange of fire one Inspector identified Balbir Singh injured seriously and admitted at Pathankot hospital. Kathua police took into custody the DSP Batala Baljeet Singh, Inspector Ashok Kumar, 3 SPOs and some constables total numbering 11 and two vehicles bearing No. PB06A-2925 and CH01Y-1551. At night an emergency meeting of the SSP Kathua and SSP Batala took place at Lakhanpur and after proper investigation all policemen handed over to the SSP Batala. More search teams of police are deployed to trace out the more arms and ammunition hidden by the militants and smugglers in the border town Hiranagar with the assistance of Army and BSF experts. This is the third
incident in the district Kathua in which Punjab Police
and J&K Police exchanged the fire over the recovery
of the arms and ammunition on the international border of
Kathua district. |
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Rift in BJP comes to fore LUDHIANA, Aug 17 — A move is afoot to appoint a "working president" of the Punjab unit of the BJP in addition to the party chief, Mr Daya Singh Sodhi, who is busy fighting election from the Amritsar parliamentary constituency. The move has come amidst reports that a serious rift has developed in the top echelons of the leadership of the Punjab unit of the BJP on the eve of parliamentary elections slated for early next month. A junior partner in the ruling SAD-BJP alliance, the party is contesting three of the 13 Lok Sabha seats in the state. The state BJP chief, Mr Daya Singh Sodhi, is among the candidates seeking re-election. According to insiders, those behind the move for the appointment of a "working president" argue that since Mr Sodhi is himself contesting, he is not able to pay attention to the day to day affairs of the party and conduct an aggressive election campaign for the party nominees in other constituencies. In any case, his "lacklustre style of functioning" has created widespread dissatisfaction in the rank and file of the party as also in its leadership. During his stewardship, it is stated, Mr Sodhi expelled more committed BJP men than were admitted into its ranks. Among those against whom action was initiated was the son of the late Panjab BJP leader, Dr Baldev Parkash, at Amritsar and several others in Ludhiana. Some of them have now become a headache for the party in the Ludhiana (North) by-election to the Punjab Assembly. Certain BJP leaders, including Lala Lajpat Rai, MP, reportedly suggested the adoption of a "general comeback" policy under which all those expelled from the party in recent times should be readmitted. But this did not find favour with Mr Sodhi. It was also suggested that Mr Sunil Mehra, a BJP activist who was expelled from the party last year should be readmitted and fielded as the party candidate for Ludhiana (North). But Mr Sodhi while readmitting Mr Mehra decided to field Mr Rajinder Bhandari as the party candidate for the byelection. This led to a virtual revolt in the party here with Mr Mehra threatening to contest as an Independent. The situation has been controlled a large extent but Mr Sodhi has nothing to do with it, insiders say. Mr Sodhi is facing rebellion in Amritsar too where posters have appeared criticising him for his various acts of omission and commission. Insiders here complain that Mr Sodhi does not believe in consulting others in the party before taking a decision. The only leader he seems to be in touch with is Mr Balramji Dass Tandon, Minister for Local Bodies, with the result that a larger group of partymen, including among others the Minister for Food, Mr Madan Mohan Mittal and Lala Lajpat Rai feel ignored and left out of the consultation process. All this is, of course, denied by the Sodhi camp in the party which claims that the party chief has been functioning democratically and trying to carry along as many people as possible. The issue has already
reached the BJP high command in the Delhi. Its stand so
far is that there is no provision in the party
constitution for the appointment of a "working
president". But insiders say that a section in the
party continues to insist on the appointment of a
"working president". |
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Lok Sabha poll HOSHIARPUR, Aug 17 — The Sant Samaj is in a mood to settle a score with the President of the Shiromani Akali Dal and Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal in the current Lok Sabha elections. An indication to this effect was given today by Baba Sarabjot Singh Bedi, President of the Sant Samaj, which organised parallel celebrations at Anandpur Sahib during Baisakhi to celebrate Tercentenary of Birth of Khalsa and stood with Bhai Ranjit Singh accepting him Jathedar of Akal Takht. In an interaction at his Una Headquarters, 35 km from here, Baba Sarabjot Singh Bedi said that the Sant Samaj stood by Bhai Ranjit Singh. It still accepted him Jathedar of Akal Takht, he emphasised. Whatever directive was given by Bhai Ranjit Singh with regard to Lok Sabha elections, Sant Samaj would follow that directive wholeheartedly and stand by him in all circumstances, Baba Sarabjot Singh said. "Bhai Ranjit Singh is in touch with me for the past a few weeks and he was working very hard to make the candidates of the front, having the Sarav Hind Shiromani Akali Dal, the SAD (Amritsar), the SAD (Panthic), the SAD (Democratic) and the BSP, win the election. "Mr Badal would face the consequence of harassing the Sant Samaj in the Lok Sabha elections. As Chief Minister he has put Sant Darshan Singh of Dhakki Sahib behind the bars. After demolishing the institution of Akal Takht, Mr Badal was trying to break the Sant Samaj having more than 300 members," Baba Sarabjot Singh Bedi said. The Sant Samaj had nothing to do with politics but Mr Badal's action against Sant Darshan Singh and with regard to Akal Takht had created a resentment among the Sant Samaj and due to these reasons they (Sants) were jumping into the election fray against Mr Badal. He said that by registering a case against Sant Darshan Singh, Mr Badal was using pressure tactics to tame the Sant Samaj. But it would not work, he said. Holding Mr Badal responsible for a split in the Shiromani Akali Dal, Baba Sarabjot Singh Bedi, who returned to Una on July 28 after three months in hospital at Madras said that Bhai Ranjit Singh had asked Mr Badal not to take any action till April 15. But without accepting the advice of Bhai Ranjit Singh, Mr Badal put all his political and government forces at work to remove Bhai Ranjit Singh and Jathedar Gurcharan Singh Tohra. All this led to a division in the ranks of the SAD. What was done by Mr Badal was never expected from any Akali leader. There was such degree of resentment among the Sant Samaj that it could turn into a big movement against Mr Badal, Baba Sarabjot Singh Bedi said. "I would not be able to move around as it would take some more time for me to be on my legs which received multiple fracture in an accident on April 30. Even my rib cage and hip joint were fractured. But other Sants if called by Bhai Ranjit Singh would join the campaign against Mr Badal," he added. Asked that what would be the election scenario like in Punjab, Baba Sarabjot Singh Bedi said that division in Akali Ranks would affect certainly the chances of Mr Badal's candidates at the hustings. Bhai Ranjit Singh was
being treated worse than an employee of the SGPC, Baba
Sarabjot Singh Bedi said. It was unfortunate that it was
happening during the SAD-led Government in Punjab, he
added. |
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Revolt by SAD men AMRITSAR, Aug 17 — Even as a section of the Shiromani Akali Dal, including a pro-Badal SGPC member, has raised a banner of revolt against state BJP chief Daya Singh Sodhi, who is common candidate of the ruling SAD-BJP combine from the Amritsar Lok Sabha constituency, the latter has decided to take up the matter with Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, to seek disciplinary action against the "rebels". A wall poster published on behalf of the Office Secretary of the SAD, Amritsar (Urban), alleges that the "Sikhs of Amritsar" are angry with him due to its "anti-Sikh instance". The poster further says that a section of the BJP has deliberately ignored "anti-Sikh" statements of Mrs Laxmi Kanta Chawla, a BJP MLA. Talking to TNS, Mr Daya Singh Sodhi said he would ask Mr Badal to visit Amritsar and attend to the matter. He wants Mr Badal to direct his partymen to actively cooperate with him. On the other hand, Mr Jaswinder Singh a pro-Badal SGPC member, has been authorised by representatives of various Sikh bodies to take up the matter of handing over 168 yards land of the Municipal Corporation to Gurdwara Santokhsar. Mr Jaswinder Singh, said representatives of various Sikh bodies had categorically said that they were not going to support Mr Sodhi unless the land was handed over to Gurdwara Santokhsar. However, when contacted by TNS, Mr Sodhi said he had never promised with anybody to hand over the said land to the gurdwara as it belonged to the Municipal Corporation. Mrs Laxmi Kanta Chawla, a BJP MLA, said the land could not be transferred to the gurdwara as it belonged to the Municipal Corporation. She alleged that the SGPC had already ‘encroached upon’ a prime land by constructing a ‘serai’ near Guru Ram Dass Nivas and the highlighting of wrong doings should not be called anti-Sikh. On the other hand, a
section of BJP has also raised a banner of revolt against
Mr Sodhi. Mr Sodhi said most of the persons who had
brought out a wall poster against him had already been
expelled from the party. He said the party would take
stern action against those found opposing the official
candidates of the party. On the other hand a press
release issued by the BJP claimed that there were no
dissensions in the party. |
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Parneet Kaur alleges code
violation PATIALA, Aug 17 — Mrs Parneet Kaur Congress candidates from the local Lok Sabha seat today alleged the Khalsa College authorities here have violated the model code of conduct by appointing teaching and non-teaching staff. In a signed statement accompanied by a list of 26 fresh appointees, Mrs Parneet Kaur alleged that these appointments had been made by Principal Prof Gulshan Lal Bhutani at the behest of Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal, Union Minister and Bibi Jagir Kaur president SGPC, well after July 11 when the model code of conduct came into force. She said the Punjabi University vide a letter no. 16985-17031 dated July 15 had also instructed all colleges not to appoint or make any appointment till the code of conduct remained enforced. Mrs Parneet Kaur also alleged that the college had not advertised any posts and had filled these secretly for advantage in the ensuing elections. Prof Gulshan Lal Bhutani Principal, Khalsa College, however defended the appointments saying that under powers vested in him he could appoint a person for 89 days. He said the college had advertised the posts and scheduled interview for July24 and 26, which had to be postponed indefinitely due to the enforcement of code of conduct. However, as the college urgently required staff to teach the students the temporary posts were filled. He said the appointments
had been made on merit and taking into consideration the
urgent requirement of the college and not on the
recommendation of any political party. |
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Mittal sees no triangular
fights ROPAR, Aug 17 — Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, Food and Supply Minister, Punjab, has said there will be a straight contest between the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Congress candidates in all 13 Lok Sabha constituencies of the state. Talking to mediapersons at his residence here yesterday he said that there was no possibility of a triangular contest in the state as people had to decide whether they wanted an Indian as a Prime Minister or a Prime Minister having foreign origin. He said the newly formed Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal (SHSAD), led by Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, would not have an adverse affect on the performance of NDA in Punjab. Mr Mittal said candidates belonging to the SHSAD and its allies would be defeated in the elections as Mr Tohra had been projecting Mr Kanshi Ram, BSP chief, as the next Prime Minister of the country. He said Mr Kanshi Ram was not liked by people as he wanted political instability in the country and elections every year. The minister claimed that Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee would be the first preference of the people as PM as he had handled all issues including the security of the country with great wisdom. He said when the Vajpayee government had been facing the Kargil crisis, the Congress had played a negative role and tried to lower the morale of the countrymen as well as the defence forces. Mr Mittal claimed there was a pro-Vajpayee wave in the region and he had come to this conclusion after touring six parliamentary constituencies, including Sangrur, Ludhiana, Phillaur and Hoshiarpur and had come to this conclusion. The minister claimed
that Vajpayee had saved Punjab by getting the Kargil
conflict confined only to that area, otherwise Pakistan
could have opened front even on the Punjab side. |
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Bhaura, Samao to file
nominations today BATHINDA, Aug 17 — After initial hiccups, both sitting MP and SAD-BJP candidate Mr Chitan Singh Samao and CPI-CPM-Congress alliance candidate, Mr Bhan Singh Bhaura have started drawing support from local-level party workers and leaders who were opposing them. Mr Bhaura, who lost in the last parliamentary election as a Congress-CPI candidate from Mr Chitan Singh Samao, has been able to win over the local leadership of the Congress party which was unhappy with the party high command for reaching an understanding with the CPI for leaving this reserve parliamentary seat to the CPI. The local Congress leadership was pressing the party high command to field a candidate from here as they claimed that chances of the Congress candidate were bright due to a split in the SAD as Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra had parted company with Mr Badal. After not getting a response from the party high command, the local leadership has started campaigning actively for Mr Bhaura, who had win this seat in 1971 as CPI candidate. Mr Harminder Singh Jassi, MLA, Talwandi Sabo and senior Congress leader Mr Surinder Kapoor, former minister Mr Bhagat Singh Dhaliwal, president, DCC, Bathinda Mr Anil Kumar Bhola, president, City Congress Mr Kewal Krishan Aggarwal, general secretary, DCC said that they were working hard to ensure the victory of Mr Bhaura as it would strengthen the hands of AICC president, Ms Sonia Gandhi. Mr Dhaliwal said to express solidarity with Mr Bhaura, Mr Jasmel Singh and Mr Gurjant Singh, who were hot contenders for Congress ticket from this constituency had opened the election offices of Mr Bhaura in Sangat, Bhucho, Maur Mandi, Goniana and Bathinda. On the other hand, Mr Chitan Singh Samao, who got the party ticket again despite opposition from the senior leaders is depending upon party MLAs from the assembly segments falling in this constituency. Mr Samao, who has been facing opposition from the senior party leaders for not giving grants from his MP's discretionary Fund to the villages according to their wishes, has been getting their support slowly and his campaign is picking up. However Mr Samao is facing another challenge from the AISAD-BSP candidate, Mr Gurdip Singh Deep, who has considerable influence in Mansa district, the area where Mr Samao has personal equations. Mr Chiranji Lal Garg, Punjab Food Minister, said all Akali and BJP workers had started campaigning for Mr Samao to earn a win for him. He added that election offices of Mr Samao were being opened. Both Mr Samao and Mr
Bhaura would file nomination papers tomorrow. Mr
Amarinder Singh, president, PPCC, is expected to
accompany Mr Bhaura when he goes to file papers. |
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Barnala enters fray from Sangrur SANGRUR, Aug 17 — Mr Surjit Singh Barnala, Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) SAD (B) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) nominee filed his nomination papers from the Sangrur Parliamentary constituency today. He was accompanied by a number of workers and leaders of both the parties. Earlier, Mr Barnala organised an election rally which was addressed by several leaders, including Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Member, Rajya Sabha and Secretary-General of the party, Mr Tota Singh, Punjab Education Minister, Mr Gobind Singh Kanjla, another Punjab minister, Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi, senior Vice-President of the SAD and Mr Nanak Chand Kalra, district President, BJP. Mr Malkiat Singh Kitu, MLA from Barnala Assembly constituency, who had raised the banner of revolt against the nomination of Mr Barnala, was also present and in his speech appealed to vote for Mr Barnala. Jagmeet Brar files papers FARIDKOT: Mr Jagmeet Singh Brar, Vice-President, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) and former M.P. filed his nomination papers as Congress candidate from the Faridkot Parliamentary constituency here on Tuesday to contest the ensuing Lok Sabha elections. Earlier addressing an election rally at old grain market, here, he cautioned the voters to beware of the tactics of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal who would allegedly use all unfair means to get his son, Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal, SAD nominee, elected from this constituency. Leaders of various other political parties including Mr Balwant Singh Ramoowalia, president, All-India Lok Bhalai Manch, Comrade Sukhinder Singh Dhaliwal, president, State U.C.P.I., Mr Harcharan Singh Hero, Acting President PPCC, Mr Avtar Singh Brar, local MLA, Mr Upinder Sharma and Dr Malti Thapar, former minister, also addressed the rally. Josan, Cong nominee FEROZEPUR: A former Minister of State for Agriculture, Punjab, Mr Hans Raj Josan, on Tuesday filed his nomination papers as the Congress nominee for the Ferozepur Parliamentary seat before the local Assistant Returning Officer-cum-SDM, Mr D.P.S. Kharbanda. Mr Josan was accompanied among others, by Mr Bal Mukand Sharma, an AICC member, Mr Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi, Mr Mohinder Rinwa, and Mr Ravinder Singh Sandhu, Secretary, General Secretary and Vice-President, respectively, of the PPCC. Mr Rinwa filed his papers as covering candidate for Mr Josan. Bhatia, Mann, Sodhi join fray AMRITSAR: Mr R.L. Bhatia, Congress candidate and former Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Mr Bhupinder Singh Mann, national president, BKU and Mr Daya Singh Sodhi, state President, BJP, were among those candidates who filed their nomination papers for the Amritsar Lok Sabha constituency on Tuesday. Mr Jugal Kishore Sharma, President, District Congress Committee, filed papers as covering candidate of Mr Bhatia. Among those who had accompanied Mr Bhatia at the time of filing papers included Prof Darbari Lal, former Congress MLA, Mr Tript Bajwa, former minister, Mr Maninder Singh Heera, former Chairman, Improvement Trust and Mr Ashwani Sikri. Mr Bhupinder Singh Mann filed his papers as common candidate of the All-India Shiromani Akali Dal (Tohra), BSP, SAD (Asr.), SAD (Democratic) and SAD (Panthic). Among those who accompanied Mr Mann included Mr Manjit Singh Calcutta, Mr Jagir Singh, BSP, Mr Gurwinder Singh, (AISAD), Mr Gurbachan Singh Bajwa, state General Secretary, BKU, Mr B.S. Mianpur, Mr B.S. Randhawa, Mr Balbir Singh Rajewala, Mr Darshan Singh Isapur, Mr Harminder Singh Gill, President, AISSF and Mr Iqbal Singh Dhillon, former Member Parliament from Jalandhar. Mr Gurbachan Singh filed his papers as covering candidate of Mr Mann for the Amritsar Lok Sabha seat, while Mr Baldev Raj filed papers as covering candidate of Mr Daya Singh Sodhi. 2 file papers in Tarn Taran TARN TARAN: For Tarn Taran Parliamentary constituency two candidates filed their papers on Tuesday. Bibi Parmjit Kaur Khalra filed papers as common candidate of the AISAD (Tohra), SAD (Amritsar), BSP, SAD (Democratic) and SAD (Panthic). Mr Devi Dass Nahar filed papers as the BSP (Ambedkar) candidate. Gurcharan, Rajinder fielded from Ludhiana LUDHIANA: The following filed their nominations for the Ludhiana Lok Sabha seat on Tuesday. Mr Gurcharan Singh (Congress), Mr Gurdarshan Singh (AISAD), Mr Sardul Singh (BSP-Ambedkar), and Mr Abdul Shakoor. From Ludhiana (North) Assembly Constituency, Mr Rajinder Kumar (BJP) and Mr Sham Dass (Covering BJP) filed their nomination papers. SAD candidate for Ropar seat ROPAR: Mrs Satwinder Kaur Dhaliwal, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) nominee on Tuesday filed her nomination papers for the Ropar Parliamentary seat. Mr Ram Raj Singh, father of Mrs Dhaliwal, filed nomination papers as her covering candidate. Chandumajra, Rakhra Parneet enter fray PATIALA: The SAD (Badal) candidate, Mr Surjit Singh Rakhra, the Tohra faction nominee, Mr Prem Singh Chandumajra and the Congress representative Parneet Kaur filed their nomination papers on Tuesday following large rallies in their favour. Mr Rakhra filed his nomination papers after a rally which was addressed among others by BJP leader Sushma Swaraj. Former Akal Takht Jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh was the star speaker of Mr Chandumajra's rally. All prominent dissident leaders of this constituency kept away from Mrs Parneet Kaur's rally. Only former Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal accompanied her when she went to file her nomination papers in the Deputy Commissioner's office. Three file nominations JALANDHAR: Three nominations for the Jalandhar Parliamentary seat were filed here on Tuesday. Two Independents — Mr Sukhjit Singh and Mr Joga Singh — and Mr Kulbhushan Kumar of the Revolutionary Socialist Party of India filed their nominations for the Jalandhar seat. Independent nominee PHILLAUR: Mr Shiv
Kumar, an Independent nominee, filed his papers for the
Phillaur Parliamentary seat on Tuesday at the office of
the District Returning Officer. |
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Lok Bhalai Party to withdraw
nominees SANGRUR, Aug 17 — Mr Balwant Singh Ramoowalia, a former union minister and President of the Lok Bhalai Party, has announced that the candidates put up by his party in Punjab for contesting the Lok Sabha elections will be withdrawn to ensure the defeat of the SAD-BJP alliance nominees. Mr Ramoowalia was talking the reporters here today. He said the step had been taken to avoid a division of anti-Badal and anti-BJP votes to punish the Badal government for its non-performance, rampant corruption and promotion of family rule. The candidates whose withdrawal had been announced were Mr Paramjit Singh from Ludhiana and Mr Harbhajan Singh Mann from the Patiala parliamentary constituencies respectively. Mr Ramoowalia said his
party would support the CPM candidates, Mr Ajit Singh,
from Sangrur, the CPI candidate, Mr Bhan Singh Bhawra,
from Bathinda and the Congress candidate, Mr Jagmit Singh
Brar, from Faridkot. In the remaining 10 constituencies
in the state the party would support any suitable
candidate who could defeat the SAD-BJP nominee. |
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PYC leader fears rigging HOSHIARPUR, Aug 17 — Mr Devinder Singh Baboo, President of the Punjab Youth Congress (PYC), said here yesterday that to check "rigging" in the Lok Sabha elections by the SAD-BJP activists, Youth Congress (YC) workers would be deployed at polling booths in the state. Special training was being imparted to these workers to manage the booths. Mr Baboo said special teams of office-bearers of the district and block YC units would also be constituted to prevent harassment of YC workers during the poll. He said YC workers would
also go from door to door to expose the misdeeds of the
SAD-BJP government. They would actively work to ensure
the victory of all Congress candidates in Punjab. |
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Police station gheraoed NANGAL, Aug 17 — Arrest of taxi drivers from the local taxi stand took a political turn as nearly 100 BJP workers, including women, gheraoed the police station here for two hours, yesterday evening. They were protesting against the release of four taxi drivers who yesterday were arrested on the charge of gambling. The taxi drivers later were released by the DSP Anandpur, when opposition parties including, the Shiv Sena Rashtriavadi, and the Congress along with the taxi drivers blocked traffic on the Nangal-Chandigarh road. The president of the local BJP accused the police of succumbing to the pressure of a few "hooligans" and a few political leaders who gave political colour to the incident. He demanded an immediate action against those who blocked traffic and had the gamblers released. The dharna was lifted after the SP (detective), Ropar, assured the president of Nangal BJP on phone that action would be taken against those involved in yesterday's incident and the case of the four taxi-drivers who were arrested on the charge of gambling would not be withdrawn. The president of the Nangal BJP (Urban), Mr Chander Kumar Bajaj, president of the Nangal BJP (Rural), Mr Parminder Sharma, General Secretary, Mr Vipin Sharma, President of the Municipal Council, Mr Rakesh Sharma, president of the BJP Yuva Morcha, Mr Sanjay Gupta and Vice-President of the district BJP, Mr Bhupinder Dhawan were among those present at the dharna. Opposition
parties have served an ultimatum for the suspension or
transfer of the local SHO. The president of the Shiv Sena
Rashtriavadi, Mr Subash Talwar, when contacted said that
they would resume blockade of traffic if their demand was
not met. |
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3 grenades found under
tree KAPURTHALA, Aug 17 — Three hand grenades reportedly were found lying under a tree near Kadu Pur village on the Kapurthala-Kartarpur road near the town. The grenades were first noticed lying under the tree by Mr Gurnam Singh, sarpanch of the village who immediately informed the police, which, sought help of Army experts to defuse the grenades at the site. Mr Iqbal Singh, SSP said
that these grenades might have been concealed by
militants during terrorism. The police has registered a
case in this connection. |
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Two women arrested GIDDERBAHA, (Muktsar), Aug 17 — The local police has arrested a woman and her daughter for allegedly running a brothel in their house here. Police sources said the women, along with another resident Ramesh Kumar, were arrested from their house a few days ago when a party raided their premises. The sources added that preliminary interrogation of the arrested had revealed that the two women, along with another woman, who was involved in a murder case, had planned to eliminate a business man of a nearby town. The third woman, who had been identified, was absconding. Mr Ashok Bath, DSP, said the two women had confessed that they used to frequent various hotels in search of clients. Mr Bath said the woman, her daughter and son were also facing a criminal case registered under Sections 363 and 366. Mr Bath said a case
under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention Act) has been
registered against the women. |
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7 criminals arrested FATEHGARH SAHIB, Aug 17 — The district police claims to have arrested seven members of a 17-members-inter-state gang of criminals and robbers which was involved in a large number of cases relating to robberies, murders, snatching the vehicles and looting of money in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. Addressing a press conference here today the DIG (Patiala Range), Mr Sanjeev Gupta, claimed that with the arrest of the criminals stolen property worth Rs 7 lakh, including cash, had been recovered. He said leader of the gang Makhan Singh was a hardcore criminal and wanted by the Haryana, Rajasthan and Punjab police. According to the district police chief on specific information that a gang of criminals was active around Fatehgarh Sahib, the police set up nakas and arrested the gang members and recovered two revolvers, two pistols, a Maruti car, a truck, two motor cycles, some sharp-edged weapons and Rs 40,000 in cash. Those arrested had been identified as Makhan Singh, a resident of Barra Gurra in Sirsa district, Tarsem Lal Bhat, Majra, Ajit Singh, Bhat Majra, Ram Kumar of Sabji Mandi, Sirsa, Chotu Ram of Chautala (Haryana), Soma Ram of Sureshian, Fatehdinwala, Hanumangarh and Shaker Bhadur from Nepal. Police parties had been sent to nab the remaining gang members. The police had
registered a case under Sections 399, 25, 54, 59, 411,
412 of the IPC. |
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Indefinite strike by lawyers MALERKOTLA, Aug 17 — Local lawyers started an indefinite strike today in protest against the non-cooperative attitude of Miss Kiran Bala, Civil Judge (Junior Division). The lawyers have been boycotting the courts for the past one week. A rally was also organised at the district courts complex in which bar associations of Sangrur also participated. Addressing the rally, Mr Hakam Singh, Jawandha president District Bar Association, Sangrur assured his full cooperation to the Bar Association, Malerkotla. He also warned that the strike would be intensified if the judge concerned was not transferred immediately. He also disclosed that the lawyers in state also were on strike today in support of the Malerkotla Bar Association. The rally passed a
resolution to approach the Chief Justice of the Punjab
and Haryana High Court at Chandigarh on August 21 in
support of their demand to transfer the judge concerned. |
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Tributes paid to BJP leader KAPURTHALA, Aug 17 — Film star and the nominee of the Bharatiya Janata Party from Gurdaspur, Mr Vinod Khanna, has accused the Congress of toppling governments. Addressing a function organised to pay homage to BJP leader Jatinder Dutt Passi at Sheikhupur village who was gunned down by militants 12 years ago, Mr Khanna said yesterday that there was no internal democracy in the Congress and leaders of the party were afraid to express their views. Mr Jugal Mahajan,
General Secretary, Punjab unit of the BJP, Mr Mohan Lal,
Forest Minister, Mr Raghbir Singh, Transport Minister, Mr
Narotam Dev Ratti, district president, BJP, addressed the
function and paid rich tributes to Mr Passi. |
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