Friday, July 16, 1999
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"Train to Pakistan"
reaches Punjab NEW DELHI, July 15 — The film rendition of Khushwant Singh’s famous novel, "Train to Pakistan", is at last being released in cinema houses in Punjab. The film, directed by Pamela Rooks, was made to commemorate the golden jubilee of India’s Independence and mostly shot at locations in Punjab. ‘Pak
refusing to accept bodies’ |
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Himachal beefs up security NEW DELHI, July 15 — The Himachal Pradesh Government has beefed up security along its 206 km boundary with Jammu and Kashmir to prevent Pakistani sponsored militants from sneaking into the state.
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Rajiv
case: SC stays executions Killed
Pak officers identified Jakhar,
Buta ‘no more’ welcome BSP
rules out tie-up with Cong Haj
panel extends date for applications |
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"Train to Pakistan"
reaches Punjab NEW DELHI, July 15 — The film rendition of Khushwant Singh’s famous novel, "Train to Pakistan", is at last being released in cinema houses in Punjab. The film, directed by Pamela Rooks, was made to commemorate the golden jubilee of India’s Independence and mostly shot at locations in Punjab. Talking to Tribune News Service on the eve of the film’s screening in the state, the eminent journalist, author and former parliamentarian, said the theme of "Train to Pakistan" was that "in the midst of hatred, love exists". According to the director, the film has a message that transcends the border of a little village where the action takes place. Mano Majra is a sleepy town on the Punjab border between India and Pakistan, where Sikhs and Muslims have lived peacefully for years. As the freedom struggle reaches its climax, the frontier becomes a scene of rioting and bloodshed. But the village carries on its tryst with peace and bonhomie until a train rattles in at an unusual time with an unusual cargo. This train from Pakistan is bursting forth with corpses of Hindus and Sikhs. A few days later, the gory incident is repeated and the village is unwittingly thrown into the cauldron of violence and hate. The hitherto sylvan landscape becomes a battlefield of conflicting loyalties and neither the Magistrate nor the police can stem the rising tide of violence and revenge. In the face of official helplessness, hope lies only with a few individuals who might still be swayed by humanitarian instincts. Juggut Singh, a gangster, is one such hero who redeems himself by saving the Muslim community in his village from the wrath of the Sikhs. Jugga may have done it for a personal reason: he is having an affair with the daughter of a Muslim weaver. Nevertheless, his act becomes a living testimony of the fact that eventually it is the voice of reason and compassion that can save humanity from doom. The novel had been a coveted project for a number of top filmmakers for quite some time. Directors like Akira Kurosawa, Ismail Merchant and Shyam Benegal had evinced interest in making the film. The film went to Pamela Rooks, who had read the novel when she was 17. Explaining her "suitability" for the project, she says: "I’m a Punjabi. My father is a Hindu from Lahore and my mother is a Sikh from Rawalpindi. My father was with the British and later with the Indian Army, escorting a train from Pakistan to India. The family sought refuge in a camp near Amritsar. I grew up on these stories". The film has been screened in Pakistan and according to Khushwant Singh, "well received". He, however, says that he got a feeling that the Pakistanis would have perhaps preferred the hero to be a Muslim and the heroine a Sikh because in their society it is a bit difficult to accept a Muslim girl falling in love with a Sikh. Unlike authors who are critical of filmmakers, Khushwant Singh is full of praise for Pamela, who he feels has done a "good job — a better job than my novel". He says he is grateful to the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, not only for the infrastructure provided for the shooting, but also for exempting the film from entertainment tax without any request being made to him. Mr Badal, however, is not the only Chief Minister who backed the project. The steam locomotive needed for the shooting was not available anywhere in Punjab. When it was discovered that a locomotive of 1947 vintage was still in operation somewhere in Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister Digvijay Singh promptly directed state officials to assist the filmmaker. Thus, apart from Punjab, the film was also shot in Madhya Pradesh. In Delhi, Chief Minister
Sheila Dikshit, has suo motu exempted the film from
entertainment tax, says the noted journalist. |
‘Pak refusing to accept
bodies’ NEW DELHI, July 15 — India today said that Pakistan was refusing to accept the bodies of its two army officers, Capt Imtiaz Malik and Capt Karnal Sher, as it would immediately expose its arms involvement in Kargil. Briefing newspersons about the sequence of events about the bodies of the two Pakistani army officers, the spokesman for the Ministry of External Affairs, Mr R.S. Jassal, said the information about the bodies was conveyed to the Pakistan government on July 12. "We informed the Pakistani authorities that we would like to hand over the bodies to them. We did not receive any response. Subsequently, the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) approached the Government of India on July 13, stating that the Pakistan Government had requested them to contact the Government of India for handing over the bodies of the two officers about which they had heard", the spokesman pointed out. "The Pakistan request did not specify the names and identities of the two officers, despite the information being available to them", Mr Jassal said, adding that "the reason is obvious". "The Pakistani authorities realised that if they conceded the identities of these two officers, it would demolish the myth that the Pakistan army was not involved in Kargil", he said. New Delhi provided the ICRC with this information, along with the photographs of the bodies and copies of correspondence found on their person which identify them as above, Mr Jassal said. The Pakistan government conveyed through the ICRC that the material furnished was "insufficient" to establish the identities of the officers, and they would like there bodies to be handed over and taken to Islamabad for verification. It was clear that this was again an attempt to obscure and evade the fact that these were the bodies of the officers of the Pakistan army involved in Kargil operation, he said. "We offered to the Pakistani authorities through the ICRC that we would be ready to receive in India persons, including their families, deputed by the Government of Pakistan to come to India and verify the identity of the officers and take over the bodies." "We had pointed out that it is unprecedented and unheard of for bodies to be sent abroad in this fashion for the purpose of identification, even before their nationality and military identity are established." "If Pakistan doubts them, it is for their representatives to come and see the bodies", the spokesman said, adding that "we have not yet received a response from Pakistan through the ICRC". Pakistan’s reluctance to have the bodies identified was the result of Islamabad’s fear of exposing its army’s involvement in Kargil, Mr Jassal said. "In this persistent and callous refusal to do so, they are doing great disservice to the families of their soldiers and to the traditions of the armed forces everywhere", the spokesman said. India had also conveyed to the ICRC that because of the weather conditions, the condition of the bodies was deteriorating and it should come back with a response from Pakistan by 1100 hrs IST on July 15, he said. In view of the
humanitarian nature of the problem, the Indian Army
authorities "will wait as long as it is possible to
get a response from Pakistan through the ICRC". |
Himachal beefs up security NEW DELHI, July 15 — The Himachal Pradesh Government has beefed up security along its 206 km boundary with Jammu and Kashmir to prevent Pakistani sponsored militants from sneaking into the state. The state Chief Minister, Prof Prem Kumar Dhumal, told newspersons after the inauguration of Himachal Sadan here, that there were intelligence reports that militants from Jammu and Kashmir might spread their activities in Himachal Pradesh. Specific measures had been taken to contain militancy in the areas bordering Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in Chamba district, he said. Prof Dhumal also talked about the sacrifices made by the youth of the state in the Kargil conflict saying 44 defence personnel from Himachal Pradesh had died in the battle. He urged the Central Government to do away with the quota system based on the size of the state in recruitment to defence forces saying this would give a chance to more youths of the state to join the services. The President of the Himachal Vikas Party, Mr Sukh Ram, who was present on the occasion said the Centre should give preference to youths from Himachal Pradesh while recruiting personnel for the paramilitary forces. These personnel then can be posted in the Himachal region and help contain militancy in the state, he added. On the new Himachal Sadan at Sardar Patel Marg in the New Delhi area, he said the additional rooms in the sadan would provide cheap accommodation for Himachalis visiting the capital. With the construction of the new sadan at a cost of Rs 6 crore, Prof Dhumal said the total capacity of Himachal Bhawan and the sadan together had gone up to 70 rooms besides conference hall, dormitories and VIP suites. The Chief Minister said the new sadan had been provided with all modern facilities, including central air-conditioning. He also disclosed that a Kisan Bhavan was being constructed at Azadpur in West Delhi at a cost of Rs 1.8 crore and this would facilitate middle class fruit growers in the state to explore the market in Delhi. A Himachal Bhavan was also under construction in Chandigarh at an estimated cost of Rs 6 crore and this would help meet the requirements of all state government offices based in the union territory. Prof Dhumal said the
state government had also thrown open its guest houses
for tourists. |
PM should not take credit:
Cong NEW DELHI, July 15 — Soldiers should wear the crown of glory for pushing back the intruders in Kargil and not the Prime Minister, the Congress said here today. "The government’s failure resulted in the Kargil crisis and the soldiers under adverse conditions pushed them back," the Congress spokesman, Mr Kapil Sibal, said here today while releasing the third set of questions on Kargil. Mr Sibal asked: "At a time when mothers are mourning the loss of their sons; war widows are in grief; our hearts go out to those soldiers who have suffered injuries. When we have been through a period of national betrayal why is Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee talking of victory?" "Soldiers have made and continue to make supreme sacrifices, to them belongs the crown of glory. Let not Mr Vajpayee bask in this. He should instead lament at his government’s lack of vigil that not only imperilled the lives of our soldiers but also compromised national security," he said, adding why were the intruders allowed to enter in the first place? The Congress said the recent incident at Bandipora and the intelligence reports indicated that Pakistan-backed terrorists were ready to launch another offensive. Mr Sibal said in this situation Mr Vajpayee should be more transparent and circumspect. He should talk less of the spirit of the Lahore Declaration and spend more time ensuring the safety of our people. "Why had Mr Vajpayee agreed to grant `safe passage’ to the intruders who have caused so much grief to so many of our homes?" the Congress spokesperson questioned, adding that "we must not forget that the same Mr Vajpayee had absolved both the ISI and Mr Nawaz Sharif of complicity in the intrusions in Kargil. Is this all being done to keep alive the spirit of Lahore?" Mr Sibal said the Kargil
issue was being politicised by the BJP. "We are
being forced to place these facts in the peoples’
court as the government has refused to convene the Rajya
Sabha session," he added. |
No truck with HVP, says BJP NEW DELHI, July 15 — The BJP today termed the Congress decision to withdraw support to the Haryana Government as "suicidal" and an "act in desperation" even as it ruled out any truck with state Chief Minister Bansi Lal’s Haryana Vikas Party (HVP). "The Congress decision to withdraw support to the Bansi Lal Government within a fortnight shows that it believes in marrying in a hurry and then repenting. It is on a suicidal path," party Vice-President K.L.Sharma told reporters after the inauguration of Himachal Sadan here. "The other proof is that the Congress is exposing its desperation and indulging in all types of political misadventure," Mr Sharma said, adding "the Congress is losing its credibility by its own actions". Asked about his party’s stand in the wake of latest developments in the state, Mr Sharma said "there is no substantial change in our stand. We are awaiting the state committee’s comment and also keeping a close watch on what the Governor will be doing". "There is no consideration of having any truck with Mr Bansi Lal," he said in reply to a question. Asked to comment on cracks among Left parties with the Forward Bloc and the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) gradually dissociating from the CPM and the CPI, Mr Sharma said "national politics has taken such a crucial turn that every party has to make its position explicitly clear at the pre-election and post-election stages". Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister P.K.Dhumal said the inauguration of the sadan would not amount to the violation of the model code of conduct as the date for the function had been fixed earlier and the Election Commission had already been apprised of it. To a question, he said the BJP would contest the ensuing Lok Sabha elections in the state in alliance with the Himachal Vikas Congress of Mr Sukh Ram, who was also present on the occasion. Mr Sukh Ram said the BJP
high command had to take the final decision on seat
sharing. |
TMC to float third front MADURAI, July 15 (PTI) — The Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) today decided to float a third front to contest the Lok Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu forcing a three-cornered contest in the state. The party General Secretary, K.S. Alagiri told reporters after the party's executive meeting held here that the executive had authorised the party president, Mr G.K. Moopanar, to formulate the modalities for forming the third front. Mr Moopanar told PTI
that he would be announcing the decision at a public
meeting tonight. He refused to disclose the constituents
of the new front. |
Rajiv case: SC stays executions NEW DELHI, July 15 (PTI) — The four condemned prisoners in the Rajiv assassination case today got a fresh lease of life with the Supreme Court staying their execution till August 17, when it will hear their plea for review of an earlier order confirming the death penalty awarded to them by the trial court. The four, who have sought review of the May 11 order confirming capital punishment on them, are 35-year old Nalini, her 29-year old husband Santhan alias Murugan (both lodged at Central Prison Vellore), 27-year old Suthenthiraja alias Santhan and 27-year old G. Perarivalan alias Arivu (both lodged at Central Prison Salem). A three-judge bench comprising Justice K.T. Thomas, Justice D.P. Wadhwa and Justice S.S.M Quadri, before whom the review petition of the four would be placed on August 17, will also hear a review petition filed by the CBI against the acquittal of 19 in the case by the apex court. By the May 11 order, the
three-judge bench had converted the capital sentence
awarded to Robert Payas, Jayakumar and Ravichandran by
the trial court to life imprisonment and acquitted 19
others of the Rajiv assassination case as well as charges
under Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention)
Act (TADA). The trial court had convicted and awarded
death penalty to all 26 accused. |
Pak often violated airspace:
Tipnis NEW DELHI, July 15 — As the operations in the Kargil region of Jammu and Kashmir are in its final stages, one of the most startling facts that have come to light is constant violation of the Indian airspace by Pakistani fighter aircraft, including F-16s, not only in the area of conflict, but also in the other sectors including the south-western sector. Not only were the forward airbases of the Pakistan Air Force on alert but also on a number of occasions there was a stand-off between the Indian and Pakistani fighter aircraft. However, the aggressiveness shown by the Indian pilots forced the Pakistanis to turn back on each of the occasions that such an air encounter took place. While on one occasion one of our ground radars picked up the signals from an intruding Pakistani aircraft, on two other occasions our MiG-29s, used specifically for combat air patrolling (CAP), locked onto the radio signals of two separate F-16s flying almost parallel to the Indian aircraft. Our MiG-29s engaged the Pakistanis in air combat before forcing them to retreat to their side of the Line of Control (LoC). There were other occasions when the Pakistani F-16s violated the Indian airspace specially in Punjab, Jammu and the south-western sector. The Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal AY Tipnis disclosed this during an informal chat with TNS. “They had been making regular probes. At least on two occasions in the south-western sector and even in Punjab and Jammu.” But on every occasion we had them under surveillance and ensured that they retreated, he said. Air Chief Marshal Tipnis said the IAF being much more superior to its Pakistani counterpart kept the enemy planes at an arms distance. Acknowledging this air superiority, the Pakistanis generally stayed away from our MiG-29s. The CAP capabilities of the MiG-29s were probably always at the back of their mind, which forced them to turn away. He was not sure for what purpose were the Pakistanis getting airborne and intruding into the Indian territory. He, however said, “If we had not kept them at bay, they could have attacked. But the moment we locked in, they flew away”. He pointed out that immediately after the IAF got into action and it became known that we were ready for eventualities, the forward airbases in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) had been activated by the Pakistanis. We got the signals of Pakistan Air Force being active from the fact that at least five of their radars had been moved to the area between Skardu and Gultari in PoK. They were on an alert in the general area of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The IAF was of the view that every time the Indian fighters took to air, the Pakistanis knew. “The very fact that they were there flying parallel to the Indian fighter jets meant that they knew,” he said. However, it in no way deterred the Indian pilots from completing their tasks and at no occasion did the Pakistanis interfere with their task. In his first interaction with the media fresh after the Indian Air Force exploits in Kargil, which provided the Indian Army with the much needed breakthrough in most of the sub-sectors of Kargil and which ensured that the “Operation Vijay” got over much earlier than was expected, soft spoken Air Chief Marshal Tipnis was forthcoming on a number of issues which had been raised during the past two months of operations in one of the most difficult and inhospitable terrains in the world. He was straightforward and made no attempts to hide deficiencies, including the probable reasons why we lost two fighter aircraft and an MI-17 helicopter during the first three days of operations. He admitted that initially there were limitations about knowing the terrain and the kind of weapons to be used. “But as the days passed we grew in confidence and despite not having much experience of flying in such terrains, we did very well,” he said while congratulating the force for its outstanding performance. He pointed out that while there were some people here who came in limelight, but it was a combined effort, a teamwork in which men at all levels were involved and who did exceedingly well. He also said over the days experience forced the IAF to change its strategy with regards the use of weapons. The Air Chief Marshal was of the view that there were several deficiencies, but a lot of hard work had now gone in to removing them. A lot of work was still going on, he said while not wanting to elaborate on what measures were being taken. He was, however, all praise for the government, which he said supported him throughout and at no time doubted anything. He pointed out that the IAF was in a very good shape and that it had not wound up as yet. The IAF was still active, “we are on short alert and will get airborne in minutes.” He asserted that on this occasion, unlike in 1971, the IAF took all precautionary measures before getting airborne. “In 1971, we went in with a limited view, there were no adequate precautionary measures.” However this time, we took all measures, including putting missiles in place before taking to air, he said. There was, however, a note of regret when he was asked specifically, whether he would have liked to cross the LoC or not. He replied: “Every soldier worth his salt would have loved to get across”, but added that the “instructions were very clear as not to cross the LoC keeping and that in mind we operated with utmost care, specially as in such terrain it would have been difficult to keep track of the land below. Not even on a single occasion did we cross the LoC.” Coming to operational hazards, he minced no words. While he was all praise for his “boys”, the Air Chief Marshal explained that air operations in such terrains was very critical. The air flow pattern became very critical, specially with the firing of weapons, which also put in doubt the stability of the aircraft. Then he had a flameout
due to engine trouble. “He was cool, tried to
relight the engine...did also manage it, but by the time
he could gain speed he was facing the hills and had to
eject”. The formation following him had Sqn Ldr
Ahuja in it, who followed him and while locating came in
the range of fire and got hit. |
Killed Pak officers identified NEW DELHI, July 15 (UNI) — Brigadier Nusrat Sial, Commander of the 62 Infantry Brigade and Col Mushraf, Commanding Officer of 1 Frontier Force, were among the 30 Pakistan army officers who were killed in the Kargil conflict, Army sources said here today. Among the others killed by the Indian Army during Operation Vijay were 12 Majors, 12 captains, 1 Lieutenant and 3 whose ranks were not known. While the Indian Army’s assessment is that 30 officers were among the 691 Pakistanis who were killed in the Kargil sector, former Pakistan army chief Gen Mirza Aslam Beg has recently said that at least 40 officers lost their lives. The other officers
identified, besides Brig Sial and Col Mushraf, were Maj
Mohd Hanif (pilot), Maj Mohd Ali Hyderi (2 wing), Maj
Jawwad Khayal, Maj Izhar, Maj Suhail Arif (3SSG), Maj
Sayyad, Maj Changezi, Maj Wahid, Maj Anwar Salim Akhtar
(13pok Bn), Maj Sadiq Anwar Abbasi, Maj Sayeed (7NLI),
Maj Asim Ahmod (6NLI), Capt Farooq, Capt Mehmood Tariq,
Capt Inam, Capt Nasir Ahmed, Capt Raja Inamullah, Capt
Faiyaz, Capt Aziz (Pilot), Capt Zulfikar Ali (2Wing),
Capt Habib, Capt Syed Asher, Capt Kamal Sher, Capt Imran
and Lt Ejazur Rehman. |
Jakhar, Buta ‘no more’
welcome JAIPUR, July 15 — Balram Jakhar and Mr Buta Singh are once again in the eye of the storm. Local Congressmen from their respective constituencies of Bikaner and Jalore have made it clear that they would not tolerate these ‘outsiders’ if fielded as Congress candidates again. Resentment over these leaders from Punjab being renominated from Rajasthan was loud and clear. Workers from these constituencies have told the PCC chief, Mr Girija Vyas and Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot in no uncertain terms that both Jakhar and Buta were no more welcome. These sentiments were expressed here during the three-day joint exercise for assessment of mood of party workers by Ms Vyas and Mr Gehlot at PCC headquarters which concluded yesterday. There was a general mood of rejection for most of the outgoing MPs. Workers came in large from various constituencies of Jodhpur, Bikaner, Ajmer, Udaipur, Kota and Jaipur division to express their opinion about the candidates for the coming Lok Sabha elections. Those who were invited for consultation by the PCC including DCC presidents, all elected and defeated party candidates during the last Lok Sabha and vidhan sabha elections, zila pramukhs, pradhans, presidents of block committees, presidents of front organisations, municipal chairman or leaders of the Congress in municipal bodies, etc. Many outgoing MPs were even charged of sabotaging Congress candidates during the last vidhan sabha elections. Stronger opposition came from workers of the Jodhpur and Bikaner constituencies who told both leaders not to field the previous MPs in any case. Most of the delegates from Bikaner demanded that Mr Jakhar should not be repeated from there. Calling him an outsider these leaders said he was accommodated in Bikaner during the last Lok Sabha elections in face of stiff opposition to his candidature from his previous constituency Sikar. The partymen demanded that some local person should be sponsored as Congress candidate from Bikaner this time. Mr Jakhar’s woes are not limited only to party workers’ opposition. They are compounded by the fact that the Jat Mahasabha has given a call to defeat all 8 Jat MPs representing the Congress in Rajasthan in the forthcoming elections. It may be recalled that the Jat Mahasabha has been demanding the fulfilment of the Congress party’s pledge during the last vidhan sabha elections that the Jats would be given reservation. Most of the Jat MPs, especially Mr Balram Jakhar, have been maintaining a tacit silence over the matter and this has angered the Jat Mahasabha. Dr Hari Singh, Congress candidate from Sikar, for whom Mr Jakhar was displaced from the constituency has been openly alleging that Mr Jakhar had worked overtime to ensure his defeat. Curiously the same Dr Hari Singh has been nominated as convener of the ‘aarakshan abhiyan samiti’ by the Jat Mahasabha. This is bound to give Mr Jakhar sleepless nights. Last time Mr Buta Singh
had contested and won as an Independent from the Jalore
constituency. Mr Buta Singh joined the Congress a couple
of months ago after having enjoyed minister’s office
in the Vajpayee’s government. Workers from Jalore
and Sirohi districts urged Mr Vyas and Mr Gehlot not to
nominate Mr Buta Singh again from Jalore. |
BSP rules out tie-up with Cong NEW DELHI, July 15 (UNI) — The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) today ruled out any electoral alliance with the Congress on the plea that the latter was unable to transfer its vote in favour of its alliance partners. Talking to the UNI here, the BSP Vice-President and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Ms Mayawati, said her party would not have any tie-up with the Congress even on its own terms as being offered by that party’s leaders. “A four-corner contest among the BJP, the Congress, the Samajwadi Party and the BSP, particularly in Uttar Pradesh will immensely help our party”, she said, expecting that the Congress candidates would cut into the vote banks of the BJP, without affecting the base of the BSP. She said the BSP would be fielding its candidate in the Amethi constituency of Uttar Pradesh, which has been nurtured by the Gandhi family for long and from where the state unit of the Congress was trying to persuade party President Sonia Gandhi to contest. “Why should we leave any seat in UP... What has the Congress done for us?’’, Ms Mayawati asked. “Besides, our experience shows that our alliance with the Congress in the 1996 assembly elections in UP did not help us while proving to be much beneficial for that party. Had we been alone, our tally would have crossed the 100 mark”, she added. The BSP in that election had secured 67 seats. Ms Mayawati said the BSP was firm about not going in for alliance with any party, including the Congress or other political combines at the national level. However, it was not averse to having some sort of strategic understanding or arrangements with regional forces in smaller states. In this context, she referred in particular to her party’s “adjustment” in Punjab with the Akali Dal faction led by former SGPC President Gurcharan Singh Tohra. But she was categorical
that the BSP would go it alone in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya
Pradesh and Rajasthan. “We have been approached by
almost all main parties for electoral adjustments for the
Lok Sabha elections — we spurned each and every
offer, even the Congress plea to the extent of accepting
our own (BSP’s) terms”, she said exuding
confidence. |
Haj panel extends date for applications NEW DELHI, July 15 (PTI) — The date for the submission of applications for Haj-2000 has been extended to August 16, and training programmes will be set up to make pilgrims familiar with matters relating to Haj, including pilgrimage rituals. The new committee had felt that June 30 prescribed as the last date for the submission of applications by the outgoing committee was unrealistic and placed an unreasonable burden on the pilgrims. It was, therefore, decided to extend the date, Tanveer Ahmed, new head of the Haj committee, told reporters here. The committee will also
take the initiative to set-up training programmes for
pilgrims throughout the country to provide orientation in
matters relating to living conditions and safety
measures. |
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| Panchayat elections today AGARTALA: Security has been tightened and anti-insurgency operations intensified in view of the panchayat elections in the state which begin on Friday. Official sources said here on Thursday that additional security personnel had been deployed in the sensitive and mixed populated areas besides regions prone to terrorist violence. The election was deferred on July 21 in the three block areas of South and West districts because of the floods. Altogether 11,936 candidates, one-third of them women, are contesting the three-tier panchayat poll in the state. — UNI Indefinite curfew in
Gujarat town Probe ordered
into jail violence Couple kill
alcoholic son Indutai Tilak
dead Bandh evokes
partial response HC notice to
NHRC ICAR award for
Karnal CSSRI |
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