Sunday, August 22, 1999
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P U N J A B | |
Sunday, August 22, 1999 |
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Capsule
course upsets doctors |
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Trying to
save Pul Kanjri Action against leader sought No new arms licence till poll Life term for killing bride 7 held for attack on scribe's
family Tenders 'politically motivated' Common syllabus for DAV schools Editor booked for murder Sonia's poll rally in Ludhiana on
August 25 Parents seek probe into MBA
admission |
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Capsule course upsets doctors PATIALA, Aug 21 — The state unit of the Indian Medical Association has opposed Punjab Government's move to allow practice of allopathy to unauthorised medical practitioners (UMP's) after training them in a 3-month capsule course. Reacting to news reports regarding the government's move, Dr O.P.S. Kande, chairman, Legal Cell cum Anti-Quackery Committee IMA said. Association opposed the move as it was against the Medical Council of India Act 1956, whereby no person, other than those persons possessing a degree from an institution recognised by the Medical Council of India could practice in this system. He said the move is also against a judgement of the Punjab and Haryana High Court which banned quackery and the government is already facing contempt proceedings in the court for non-implementation of the courts orders. Dr Kande said the move is also an infringement of the rights of qualified medical persons and all qualified doctors registered with the state medical council and Medical Council of India and the prospective doctors must come forward to launch a drive against the move. He said the move was mere politicking and even UMP's would not benefit because the government would not allow them practice allopathy in the light of the judgement of the Supreme Court whereby no person can practice allopathy until his name is enrolled in the state medical register. The judgement did not
allow the practice of allopathy — even to qualified
persons of other systems (Ayurveda/Homoeopathy). |
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Torture of Jawans AMRITSAR, Aug 21 — Cutting across party lines, the leaders of various political parties including the Congress, BJP, CPI and Shiromani Akali Dal in a joint representation to President of India and Prime Minister have expressed concern that the Indian Government had not taken any steps to get Pakistan punished for torturing Lt Saurabh Kalia and six other soldiers. Despite being on opposite sides in the elections to the Lok Sabha a large number of leading citizens of Amritsar city have joined hands in writing to the President and Prime Minister to express regret that the "dastardly acts of burning bodies with cigarettes, removing eyes, piercing ear drums with hot rods, chopping off various limbs and organs" etc of Lt Saurabh Kalia of 4 Jat regiment of Indian Army and five Jawans of his patrol party in Kargil "had not been taken up" at the national or international level. The signatories have appealed to the whole nation "to share the pain of the families of the martyrs and" to rise above politics to make it an international issue so that Pakistan is pressurised to punish the culprits. The letter concludes: "This would be true homage to these brave soldiers of India and prove a morale booster for others fighting for the nation". Four out of 5 Jawans in the patrol party belonged to Rajasthan while the fifth belonged to UP. Lt Saurabh Kalia himself was born at Amritsar. His parents are serving in Himachal while his grand parents continue to live in Amritsar. Signatories include Mr R.L. Bhatia former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; Mr Daya Singh Sodhi Ex MP, Dr Baldev Raj Chawla, Deputy Speaker, Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Mrs Laxmi Kanta Chawla MLA; Mr Ajaypal Singh, MLA; Mr O.P. Soni MLA, Smt Vimla Dang, Ex MLA, Mr Satya Pal Dang Ex MLA and Mr M.S. Heera Ex Chairman Improvement Trust Amritsar. A similar letter has
been addressed to the President and the Prime Minister by
Ms Raj Sharma, Deputy Mayor and 21 councillors of
Amritsar belonging to the BJP, Akali Dal, Congress, CPI
and Janata Dal. |
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Displaced residents to boycott poll PUL KANJRI (Indo-Pakistan border), Aug 21 — Once a major trade centre on the Amritsar-Lahore road and a town of historical importance, Pul Kanjri now lies in ruins. The town was attacked by rioters a week after the Partition in 1947 and almost the entire population was butchered by the fanatics. Maharaja Ranjit Singh had built a "baradari" here and used to stay here for night while travelling from Amritsar to Lahore. Pul Kanjri was captured by the Pakistan army during Indo-Pak wars of 1965 and 1971 and was recaptured by the Indian Army. Those who survived the attack in 1947, left the place and settled in Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and other parts of the country. But every year on August 22 they come here to remember their ancestors and perform akhand path in the memory of those who died here. These residents of this place, have formed the Pul Kanjri Welfare Society, headed by Mr Gurdeep Singh. Office-bearers of the society had made several representations to the state and Central governments to declare it a town of historical importance, but to no avail. "We are neither being considered freedom fighters nor refugees even after 52 years of independence", said Mr Chaman Singh Duggal, general secretary of the welfare society while talking to TNS. He said Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, had also promised to fulfil their demand when they met him at Attari during his visit to the border area. But nothing had been done so far. Mr Duggal said the society members would boycott the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections as representatives of various political parties had done nothing for their town for the past so many years. Describing the history of Pul Kanjri, Mr Chaman Singh Duggal, who along with his brothers Mr Puran Singh Duggal and Mr Jagdish Singh Duggal had come here in connection with the "Shaheedi Divas", said since the town was a main trade centre, people used to come here from far-flung areas, including Amritsar and Lahore, for shopping. It was inhabited by Arora Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus. At present, three brothers — Mr Darshan Singh, Mr Bakshish Singh and Mr Swarn Singh — and their families are living here. A memorial column, constructed in the memory of the jawans of Sikh regiments, who had recaptured 'Pul Kanjri' from Pakistani army in 1971 stands testimony to the supreme sacrifices made here. The dilapidated "baradari" and "dhab" (place of bathing) and "unsafe" village gurdwara building can be saved only if declared "protected national monuments", the office-bearers of the welfare society said. Mr Duggal alleged that
the orders of the SDM prohibiting the "excavation,
cutting of trees and any damage to historical
buildings" were being violated here as land mafia
had already encroached upon the entire land belonging to
the original inhabitants of the village. |
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Action against leader sought GURDASPUR, Aug 21 — More than 500 villagers of Chaunta, Dhaki, Mirpur, Jharoli, Bianpur, Kunde, Rasulpur, Pachowal, Berry Sidpur, Kasal, Gopalian and Chechian villages held a demonstration in front of the office of the Deputy Commissioner here today against the alleged police harassment of Puran Singh and Pitamber Singh, sons of Ram Singh, Sarpanch of Chaunta village and President, Dinanagar Development Committee East yesterday at their village in connivance with an Akali leader of the area. A deputation led by Mr Puran Singh, Sarpanch, Dhaki, Mr Mr Balkar Singh, Sarpanch, Jandi, Mr Raj Singh Sarpanch, Chaunta, Mr Shakti Singh Sarpanch, Mirpur and Mr Mahinder Singh, Sarpanch, Jharoli, accompanied by Mrs Roop Rani, MLA of the area to meet the Deputy Commissioner. They complained to the Deputy Commissioner that the Akali leader, alongwith 15 associates, reached the village at 8 p.m. yesterday and beat up the said brothers. A little later a police party headed by Station House Officer also reached the village and joined in beating, they alleged. Villagers of Chaunta said about three weeks back two persons on scooter had stopped the said Akali leader’s car to ask him the location of some area who in turn slapped them. These scooterists had then approached the Sarpanch of Chaunta village for justice. The Sarpanch, Subedar Raj Singh, with a deputation, met the SHO, Dinanagar, for action against the Akali leader. The complaint said that the villagers intervened to free the brothers. The villagers reportedly threw stones at the police party and the Akali leaders and his associates resulting him which broke some glasses of the police and other vehicles. After this the police shot several rounds in the air to disperse the crowd. The villagers showed five empty cartridges to mediapersons. The villagers demanded stern action against the erring police officials, registration of a police case against the Akali leader and his associates and withdrawal of case allegedly registered against the villagers. Mr S.K. Sandhu, Deputy Commissioner,has deputed Mr Pradeep Sabharwal, SDO, Civil, Gurdaspur, for an inquiry and ordered to keep action in abeyance against the persons against whom police case has been registered. Mr Varinder Kumar, SSP, when contacted, said he would look into the matter and take proper action against the defaulters if any. He said a case under Sections 307/353/186/427/149/148, IPC, has been registered against Puran Singh, Pitamber Singh and Raj Singh and several other persons of the village in police station Dinanagar. The villagers said if
action was not taken against the defaulters by tomorrow
afternoon, the Dinanagar Committee East would intensify
the agitation and resort to traffic jam in front of
Dinanagar police station. |
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No new arms licence till
poll AMRITSAR, Aug 21 — The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Narinderjit Singh, who is also the District Election Officer and Returning Officer of Tarn Taran and Amritsar Lok Sabha constituencies, called upon the political parties and the candidates to meticulously follow the model code of conduct in the forthcoming elections. Addressing a joint meeting of representatives of various political parties and assistant returning officers of both constituencies, here today he said that each candidate would be given adequate security. He asked the political parties to furnish advance information regarding holding of public meetings so that necessary arrangements could be made accordingly. He said there was total ban on carrying of arms and no fresh licence for arms/ammunition would be issued. He also asked the political parties to take advance permission for processions. The Deputy Commissioner said that no political party would be allowed to use land building, compound wall without prior permission for creating flag, stalls, placing banners and other election materials and writing of slogans. He observed the posters and pamphlets issued by them must carry the name and address of the press, printer and publisher. The printer must also supply its copy to the returning officer within three days of its printing otherwise the printers could be imprisoned for six months and fined as well under the Act. Mr Narinderjit Singh further said that no political party or candidate, during the elections could use loudspeakers mounted on jeeps or cars or other vehicles for electioneering without prior permission of the Subdivisional magistrate or the assistant returning officer concerned. He said according to the directions of the Election Commission, the loudspeakers could be used between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. The posters would only be pasted on walls of private buildings with the written consent of the building owner. However, no poster or banner would be allowed on a public building, he asserted. The Deputy Commissioner further said that all candidates would be required to submit their elections expenses on prescribed form and maintain "true and separate" day to day expenditure account which would be checked by the returning officer and the election commission observer. He said the political parties and candidates would exercise maximum control on such elements who could jeopardise peace. He also directed all
assistant returning officers to ensure videography of all
critical events so that violation of law and the
instructions could be recorded. Intelligent and
informative video recording on negative points would also
be recorded to ensure that every election process was
clear and transparent. The assistant returning officers
had also been directed to engage even private
videographer after checking their antecedents that they
did not belong to any political party. |
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Writ plea by Mansa resident
on loan scam CHANDIGARH, Aug 21 — Mr Jugraj Singh, a resident of Mansa district, has filed a writ petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, praying for ordering an independent investigation into "multi-crore scandal in the disbursement of loans by the Mansa Cooperative Agricultural Development Bank to farmers through Goodluck Trading Company and some other bogus firms operating in connivance with the authorities". He stated that during 1996-99 the bank disbursed about Rs 25.17 crore as loan among farmers of Mansa district. An amount of Rs 5 crore out of the amount loaned to the farmers had been pocketed by certain firms, including Goodluck Trading Company. Mr Justice R.S. Mongia and Mr Justice J.S. Narang, before whom the case came up for hearing, held: "We do hope that the vigilance department will complete the enquiry with promptitude which the thing requires and submit a report within the stipulated or extended time. But we do hope that the report submitted will be within a reasonable time. The original file has been produced before us. From the file we find that after taking into consideration the report of the Registrar of Cooperative Societies as well as the vigilance enquiry had been ordered at the level of the Chief Minister. The order to that effect
is dated July 22, 1999, wherein it is stated that the
Vigilance department should complete the enquiry within
two months". |
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Life term for killing bride KAPURTHALA, Aug 21 — Mr Baldev Singh, Sessions Judge, on Friday convicted Alok Walia, Amarjit Singh alias Middi and Adarsh Walia of Jallowkahanar Mohalla, husband, father-in-law and mother-in-law of Mrs Geetanjli Walia, a newly married girl, under Section 304-B and 201 of Indian Penal Code on the charge of killing Mrs Geetanjli Walia and burning her body in order to destroy evidence and sentenced them to undergo life imprisonment and to pay a fine of Rs 15,000 each. Mrs Geetanjli Walia, the daughter of Mr Rajpaul Singh Walia of Faridabad, was married to Alok Walia on May 9, 1997. She died in mysterious circumstances in her in-laws house on the night of September 26, 1997, just four months after her marriage. The accused later tried
to burn the body. On the complaint of Deepak Kumar, a
neighbour of Geetanjali, her body was recovered from a
burning pyre at the cremation ground. Post mortem on the
body was done by a medical board at Amritsar. |
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7 held for attack on
scribe's family MALERKOTLA, Aug 21 — The local police has arrested seven persons for the attack on the family of Miss Afsen Sheikh correspondent of Jalandhar based dailies at Malerkotla a few days ago, in which her mother, sister, brother and cousins were injured. According to an FIR lodged in the local police station, a group of youths with lathis and other weapons entered the house of Ms Sheikh and attacked her family members. All the injured persons were admitted in the local Civil Hospital where they are still under treatment. According to Mr Surinder Singh Saini, DSP Malerkotla on hearing of the attack Mr Gurpreet Singh, City SHO immediately swung into action and rounded up seven suspects. A case has been registered under sections 451/506/323/148/149 and 120B IPC in police station Malerkotla. Meanwhile an emergency
meeting of District Working Journalists Union held at
Sangrur under the Presidentship of Mr Harvinder Lal
yesterday condemned the attack. |
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Tenders 'politically motivated' ABOHAR, Aug 21 — The consumer movement in a complaint to the Election Observer and Deputy Commissioner Ferozepore has exposed a tender issue in the Municipal Council, Abohar in gross violation of the model code of conduct. Mr S.P. Khariwal, Chairman of the organisation, alleged that the council in order to derive undue benefit and to influence the electorate of different wards in the elections had issued tenders to contractors worth Rs 1.10 crore on 'works' to be commenced with immediate effect. The issue of tenders and allocation of work after the beginning of the election process according to Mr Khariwal amounted to violating the model code of conduct. Mr Khariwal alleged that the road in the ward of the vice-president of the council was under construction though no one was serious about the quality of material used. He also alleged a fraud in the issue of the tenders themselves. The tenders for the contract were published in a Patiala based daily newspaper which had virtually no readership in this area, just 24 hours before the date of purchase/submission of tender. No details of work to be done by the contractors was given in the tender notice. It is further learnt
that a meeting of 'favourite' contractors was held at the
residence of the President of Municipal Council Abohar,
where all the modalities for pooling work to different
contractors was reportedly finalised. Mr Khariwal has
urged the Secretary, Local Bodies to immediately enquire
into the 'misconduct of the Council'. |
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Common syllabus for DAV schools MALERKOTLA, Aug 21 — The DAV schools falling under the DAV Punjab Zone-II will have a common calendar and syllabus from the next academic session. This was decided in the executive meeting of the DAV Schools of Punjab Zone-II held under the chairmanship of Mr K.K. Mehta Principal of the local DAV Senior Secondary School and Co-ordinator of the Zone held here yesterday. It was decided in the meeting that all the 30 schools falling under the DAV Punjab Zone-II would have common syllabus, common date sheets, common question papers, common vacation, common prospectus and common examinations dates from the next academic session. According to Mr Mehta
the step has been taken to lower the financial burden on
these schools and convince servicemen whose children
study these schools in case of their transfers. |
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Editor booked for murder BATHINDA, Aug 21 — The city police has booked Mohan Kishan Nagpal, Editor, Daily Pilot, published from this town for the murder of a city youth, Vinod Kumar, a few months back. Police sources said case against Nagpal was registered when he was found guilty of murder in a magisterial probe conducted by Mr Gurtej Singh, SDM. The sources said Vinod Kumar, was found in an injured state near a cinema house a few months back and he was immediately shifted to the local Civil Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. There were a few wounds of a sharpedged weapon on the body. The police took it as a suicide case and completed all formalities under Section 174, Cr PC, and handed over the body to the parents of the deceased. However, Mr Ved Parkash Gupta, General Secretary, PUCL, took up the matter with the district administration and demanded a thorough probe. Mr Gurtej Singh, SDM, who conducted the probe took the statements of all persons concerned, including the father of Vinod Kumar, Mr Makhu Ram, and Nagpal and he held him guilty of murder. The police sources said
Nagpal had absconded after a case under Section 302, IPC,
was registered. |
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Sonia's poll rally in Ludhiana
on August 25 CHANDIGARH, Aug 21 — Mrs Sonia Gandhi, President of the All-India Congress Committee, will address election rallies in Punjab on August 25 and 28. Giving this information Capt Amarinder Singh, president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, said Mrs Gandhi would address a poll rally in Ludhiana on August 25 in the afternoon. On August 28, she would address a rally in Patiala in the morning and at Moga in the afternoon. He said for her third visit to Punjab the programme was being finalised. Moga falls in the Faridkot constituency where Mr Jagmeet Brar is contesting against Mr Sukhbir Badal, son of Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Punjab Chief Minister. At Ludhiana, Mr Gurcharan Singh Galib is in the fray and at Patiala Mrs Parneet Kaur is contesting. She is the wife of Capt Amarinder Singh. The PPCC chief said he was satisfied the way Congress campaign was shaping up and progressing in Punjab. All senior leaders were campaigning for the party candidates. There were no differences among senior leaders, he claimed. Mr Santokh Singh
Randhawa is working for Mrs Sukhbans Kaur Bhinder in
Gurdaspur and Mr O.P. Soni for Mr R.L. Bhatia in
Amritsar. |
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Parents seek probe into MBA
admission CHANDIGARH, Aug 21 — Parents of several students who figured high in the merit list of the entrance test conducted by Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar, for admission in MBA and MCA courses have urged the Chief Minister to order a high-level probe into the admission process adopted by the university. They alleged that while some of those students who figured high on the merit list had been adjusted against paid seats and those who ranked low in the list had been adjusted against free seats. Giving instances in this connection they said while some students who were below the rank of 300 were offered paid seats while those students who ranked even beyond 700 had been given free seats. The parents said earlier
too the university had bungled while finalising the
results of students for admission in engineering courses
last year and the court had to intervene to set things
right. |
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Shermajra killings; third suspect
held PATIALA, Aug 21 — The third suspect in yesterday's massacre of eight members of a family in Shermajra village was arrested by the district police here today. Mr Harpreet Singh Sidhu, SSP, said in a press note issued today that the police remand of two other suspects — Rajesh Yadav and Chander, had been extended to August 26 by the district court. The third suspect, Nandi, alias Varinder Kumar, who was absconding since yesterday was nabbed while trying to flee from the district. Meanwhile the post-mortem report of the eight persons revealed that while Triful and his 6 children had died due to electrocution, his wife Rani, who was also raped, died later due to injuries inflicted with a sharp-edged weapon. Meanwhile, the police
has also decided to honour villagers and police officers
who helped in the arrest of the suspects. Mr Kawal Kumar,
SSP (Detective), said the case was solved due to the
clues given by the villagers. He said the suspects had
fled the place after committing the crime but left behind
their rickshaw and other belongings, which were
recognised by the villagers. |
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Ludhiana DC's transfer sought CHANDIGARH, Aug 21 — Mr Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, general secretary of the Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal, has made a complaint to the election commission for transferring the Deputy Commissioner of Ludhiana. He has alleged that the Deputy Commissioner was intimidating voters belonging to the Muslim and Christian communities for supporting the ruling SAD-BJP combine. Mr Bhaur said following
a complaint made by Christians, the National Minority
Commission had indicted the Deputy Commissioner. |
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‘Car’ symbol given to SHSAD
candidates CHANDIGARH, Aug 21 — Mr Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, general secretary of the Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal, has said that the seven candidates contesting under the joint Third Front have been allotted "Car" as the poll symbol. The contestants are Mr Prem Singh Chandumajra (Patiala), Mrs Balbir Kaur Khalsa (Ropar), Mr Gurdarshan Grewal (Ludhiana), Mrs Parmjit Kaur Khalra (Tarn Taran), Mr Bhupinder Singh Mann (Amritsar), Mr Suchha Singh Chottepur (Gurdaspur) and Mr Gurdeep Singh Deep (Bathinda). Mr Gurcharan Singh
Tohra, president of the party, had written to returning
officers of all constituencies in this connection after
taking up the issue with the Election Commission of India
to allot a common symbol to all joint Third Front
candidates. |
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