Wednesday, July 21, 1999
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N A T I O N |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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INLD ‘viable’
alternative Reinstatement of Bhai Ranjit Singh
sought |
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Mankad is Finance Secy Kargil not poll plank for BJP:
Thakre
Flood situation grim in Bihar,
Assam Jat Mahasabha aligns with BSP
Heroin worth 72 lakh seized in
Delhi Two held for bank robbery
Skirmishes mark Darbhanga bandh Cong ‘not sincere to armed
forces’ CDS exam result declared
More contributions for NDF |
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INLD ‘viable’
alternative NEW DELHI, July 20 —The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) would be able to provide a stable government in Haryana after the "imminent" fall of the Bansi Lal government during the trust vote in the Assembly tomorrow, party’s working president, Mr Om Prakash Chautala said here today. "Fifty MLAs who are against the Chief Minister are with me. Even if the Congress abstains from voting or supports him, his government will go. Only a miracle can save it now," he told mediapersons here. Asked if he would stake claim to form the government in case the Governor, Mr Mahabir Prasad, did not invite him, Mr Chautala said the Governor had abided by the Constitution so far and would do so again. To a question whether the INLD, which has 22 members in the 90-member House, would be able to muster enough support to form the alternative government, he claimed that 12 HVP MLAs had decided to support him while seven ministers had already resigned from the Bansi Lal ministry. "During the confidence motion tomorrow, Mr Bansi Lal will not be left with many supporters," Mr Chautala asserted. The 12-member Congress legislature group has already decided not to support the Bansi Lal government during the confidence vote. The HVP has 35 members, the BJP 10, the Indian National Lok Dal 22 and the Congress 12. There are 10 Independents in the House. Mr Chautala said the Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal, should quit on moral grounds since he had already lost the majority in the Assembly. To a question whether he had spoken to the BJP on formation of an alternative government, he said "when it comes to that, we will do that also". Flaying the Congress for supporting the HVP government earlier and then withdrawing support, Mr Chautala said it was in keeping with the party’s "tradition of changing stands often". "Even now the Congress has not made it clear whether it will oppose the government during the trust vote or abstain from voting," he said. A report from Hisar said
Mr Chautala was in touch with HVP rebels. A joint meeting
of the INLD, the BJP and the HVP rebels and the
Independent legislators was being held tomorrow at the
residence of Mr Chautala. |
Reinstatement of Bhai Ranjit Singh sought NEW DELHI, July 20 (UNI) — The Delhi unit of the Shiromani Akali Dal has refused to accept Bhai Puran Singh as Jathedar of Akal Takht and sought the reinstatement of the "dismissed" Jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh. The pro-Badal faction of SGPC recently removed Bhai Ranjit Singh from the religious seat, accusing him of siding with former SGPC President Gurcharan Singh Tohra, and appointed Bhai Puran Singh in his place. A workers’ meeting, convened by the Dal here on Sunday, criticised Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal of misusing his official position in effecting changes at Akal Takht. The meeting, presided over by Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) President Paramjit Singh Sarna, alleged that Mr Badal had made unwarranted interference in the Sikh religious affairs and ‘abused’ the religious institutions for his political interests. The controversy over the removal of Bhai Ranjit Singh led to a split in the ruling Akali Dal and the dissident Akalis floated their rival outfit, the Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal under the leadership of Mr Tohra. The majority of DSGMC members owing allegiance to Mr Tohra, and who recently wrested control of the committee from the supporters of Mr Badal here, also accused the BJP of not fulfilling its promise of granting the second language status to Punjabi in Delhi even during its five-year rule here. They appealed to the Delhi Government headed by Mrs Sheila Dixit to implement in letter and spirit its recent decision of granting the second language status to Punjabi here. The meeting also appealed to the Delhi Government to settle property dispute relating to Sikh shrines in the Capital without further delay. Mr Sarna urged the Delhi
Government to allot a piece of land to the DSGMC for
setting up an engineering college here. |
Migrants to cast vote by postal
ballot NEW DELHI, July 20 — The Union Cabinet today approved the promulgation of an Ordinance to amend the Representation of the People Act, 1951, to enable Kashmiri migrants to cast their votes by postal ballot. Union Minister and Cabinet spokesman, Pramod Mahajan, said similar Ordinances were passed on the eve of the 1996 and 1998 elections. The amendment pertains to the insertion of a new clause (C) in Section 60 of the Act to provide that any person belonging to a class of persons, notified by the Election Commission in consultation with the government may give his vote by postal ballot at an election in a constituency where a poll is taken subject to the fulfilment of such requirements as may be specified in the rules. Mr Mahajan said this decision had been taken to enable the Kashmiri migrants and similar other persons, if any, to cast their votes by postal ballot. The Cabinet also approved the ratification of amended Inhumane Weapons Convention that restricts the use of land mines and other such devices from being used against civilians. Having ratified the amendment, India would also have to take all feasible precautions to avoid the incidence of permanent blindness by employment of laser system. The consequent introduction of the necessary Bill in Parliament in the next session was also approved. It may be recalled that India is a signatory to the 1981 convention on prohibitions or restrictions on the use of certain conventional weapons which may be deemed to be excessively injurious or to have indiscriminate effects. Also known as the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons or Inhumane Weapons convention, it deals with three classes of weapons. Protocol 11 of the Convention restricts the use of anti-personnel and anti-tank mines, booby traps and remote-controlled or delayed-explosive devices. Since an estimated 110 million mines are spread in 64 countries with two to five million more being laid each year a review of the convention was requested from various quarters, including the UN General Assembly. The amended Protocol-11 was a result of this. An additional Protocol-IV was also proposed which is to be ratified by the signatories. Under the amended Protocol-11 the use of land mines and booby traps and other similar devices is prohibited from being used against civilians. Indiscriminate use of these weapons and use to cause unnecessary suffering are also prohibited. Advance warning to civilians is necessary. All anti-personnel mines must be detectable by commonly available mines detective equipment. Transfer of prohibited mines is prohibited. Some more similar safeguards are provided. Under the additional
Protocol-IV it is obligatory on all signatories to take
all feasible precautions to avoid the incidence of
permanent blindness by employment of laser system. |
Mankad is Finance Secy NEW DELHI, July 20 (PTI) — The government today appointed Information and Broadcasting Secretary P.G. Mankad as Finance Secretary in a major reshuffle involving 18 top officials. Mr Mankad succeeds Mr Vijay Kelkar who takes over as India’s Executive Director in the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Mr Mankad, a 1964 batch IAS officer from the Madhya Pradesh cadre, will also be the Revenue Secretary in place of Mr Javed Choudhary who has been shifted as Health Secretary. Health Secretary B.P. Singh is to go to the World Bank as India’s Executive Director. Family Welfare Secretary Y.N. Chaturvedi, also a 1964 batch IAS officer from Madhya Pradesh, will be the new Information and Broadcasting Secretary. An official announcement said Expenditure Secretary E.A.S. Sarma will be the Economic Affairs Secretary in place of Mr Vijay Kalkar. Banking Secretary C.M. Vasudev takes over the Expenditure Department. Mr Devi Dayal,
Coordination Secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat, will
be Special Secretary, Banking. Both Mr Vasudev and Mr
Dayal belong to the 1966 batch IAS from the UP cadre. |
Kargil not poll plank for BJP: Thakre NAGPUR, July 20 ( UNI, PTI ) — The Bharatiya Janata Party president Mr Kushabhau Thakre has said India’s military victory in Kargil would not be made an election issue by his party and the overall excellent performance of the BJP-led government would be the sole issue in the campaign. Talking to newspersons here last night, he charged that it was the Congress which was politicising the Kargil issue. This compelled the BJP to clarify the position. Otherwise, the BJP-led alliance would not like to make it a poll plank. The remarks of Mr Thakre were significant in light of Prime Minister “Atal Behari Vajpayee’s reportedly strong objection to his party’s proposal of observing Independence Day on August 15 as “Vijay Divas” in commemoration of the military victory in Kargil. Mr Vajpayee’s stance forced his party leadership to drop the move. The BJP president, however, appreciated Mr Vajpayee for handling the Kargil issue properly and said Pakistan’s treachery in Kargil had immensely benefited India at the international level and isolated that country. Nobody could rob the Vajpayee government of this credit, he remarked. Replying to a question whether there was failure of military intelligence in Kargil, Mr Thakre said there might be some shortcomings but the role played by the Army was exemplary. Asked whether Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s foreign origin would be the poll issue for the BJP, he replied in the negative and said this job was left to Mr Sharad Pawar, Nationalist Congress chief. The BJP was not in a position to form the government on its own after the Lok Sabha poll and hence electoral alliance with other political parties was inevitable, Mr Thakre said. He said this seemed to be the only practical approach to the upcoming mid-term poll. He, however, hastened to add, “Even if the party wins a clear majority and forms a government, the BJP will not forget its allies and take help from them”. He dismissed Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s claim of winning the poll and forming the government. “There is no likelihood of a third front emerging in the near future”, Mr Thakre said, adding that there was no unanimity among those engaged in forming the front. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Gopinath Munde said no political party should take the credit for the country’s success in Kargil as it was a joint success of the country and its troops. Addressing a public meeting at Kalidas Kalamandir here last evening, Mr Munde attacked Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar and Congress president Sonia Gandhi for their alleged criticism of the BJP-led government on handling of the Kargil issue. Appreciating the Prime Minister for successfully boosting the morale of Army jawans by visiting the border areas and seeking international support on the issue, Mr Munde said Mr Vajpayee had described the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi as “Durga Mata” after India had won the Indo-Pak war in 1971. Earlier, talking to newspersons, Mr Munde said the seat adjustment for the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections was already through in Maharashtra. He said the BJP would
contest 26 seats for the Lok Sabha poll and the Shiv Sena
22, while in the Assembly poll the Sena would contest 171
and the BJP 117 seats. They would undertake joint
campaigning. |
First woman Addl AG NEW DELHI, July 20 — History of sorts was created today when, for the first time anywhere in India, a woman advocate was appointed as Additional Advocate-General of a state. Ms Jayshree Anand joined duty as Additional Advocate-General for the Punjab Government, posted at New Delhi. Ms Anand has earlier
been the Additional Standing Counsel for the Central
Government from 1986 to 1991 at the Punjab and Haryana
High Court and the Central Administrative Tribunal,
Chandigarh Bench. Later, she served as Senior Deputy
Advocate-General for Punjab at Chandigarh and
subsequently at the state’s local cell at New Delhi
from 1991 to 1997. |
Flood situation grim in Bihar, Assam PATNA, July 20 (PTI) — The overall flood situation continued to be grim in Bihar with major rivers like the Bagmati, the Burhi Gandak, the Kosi and the Kamala Balan in spate. Two fresh deaths were reported from the flood-hit Khagaria district yesterday, taking the rain-related toll in the state to 108, official sources said. The eastern embankment of the turbulent Kosi was facing severe erosion in Supaul, Khagaria and Katihar districts and threatening to submerge fresh areas, they said, adding that its embankment had already been partially damaged. State Water Resources Department officials claimed all precautionary measures had been taken to prevent a breach in the embankment. Strict vigil was being kept on the Kosi’s eastern embankment near Kanauli where the swirling waters mounted pressure. The Gandak was swelling further at various places following heavy rain in its upper catchment areas. The heavy flow of water from Nepal was putting constant pressure on the river embankments at several places. GUWAHATI: The flood situation in Assam turned grave on Tuesday following incessant rain the catchment areas of the major rivers which resulted in inundation of fresh areas. Official sources said here that fresh rain in the upper reaches resulted in rapid swelling of the Brahmaputra and its tributaries which threatened fresh areas. The situation was worse in Upper Assam’s Dhemaji district as the entire area was cut off from the rest of the state as flood water submerged railway lines and the national highway, suspending traffic. Over a 100 villages have
been inundated in the flood-prone district as the
administration geared up to deal with the latest
onslaught, sources said. |
Jat Mahasabha aligns with
BSP JAIPUR, July 20 — The BSP and the Jat Mahasabha have forged an electoral alliance in Rajasthan. An agreement to this effect was reached between the BSP chief, Mr Kanshi Ram, and the Jat Mahasabha representative, Dr Hari Singh. Official announcement about the alliance will be made on August 1 at Jaipur where the Rajasthan Jat Mahasabha has convened a mass rally of Jats to demonstrate their anger against the ruling Congress for not fulfilling its poll promise of inclusion of Jats, Bishnois, Sirwis, Meos, Kayamkhanis and Sindhi Muslims even after seven months of its coming back to power. The Jat Mahasabha has been holding rallies in various parts of the state after the Congress party’s victory in the Vidhan Sabha elections last December to remind the party of its manifesto, promising reservation to Jats and other communities. It had given an ultimatum that if the government did not implement its poll promises of 1993 and 1998 by July 11 this year it may take a decision to give a call to Jats to boycott the Congress. The Chief Minister, Mr Ashok Gehlot, however, made it clear that unless the Backward Classes Commission gave its recommendation to provide Jats OBC status he was helpless to do anything in light of the Supreme Court decision. He said he stood by the party manifesto and for speedy disposal of the matter had even appointed a new commission. But Jat leaders were not ready to consider Mr Gehlot’s pleadings and said he in fact was forwarding false excuses and hence the Jat Mahasabha at its mahapanchayat on July 11 took a vow to defeat the Congress in the parliamentary elections. Since then efforts are on by the Congress to win back Jats on its side. Mr Natwar Singh and Mr Sheesh Ram Ola have since met the Patron of the Mahasabha, former DGP, Dr G P Pilania, to persuade him to withdraw the “defeat Congress” call but to no avail. Their argument that Jats’ decision to not vote for the Congress may help the BJP has also not been able to cut any ice. “Who will benefit from the call is not our concern. Our target is to teach a lesson to the Congress party who has betrayed the Jats by not granting them OBC status”, he told them curtly. It may be recalled that Jats constitute a solid vote bank for the Congress party and it was on their strength that eight out of 18 general seats in Rajasthan were captured by Jats in the previous Lok Sabha elections. Jats’ call to not caste votes for the Congress is bound to upset the party’s poll prospects badly. The mahasabha has
already started its anti-Congress campaign all over the
state and the decision to not vote for the Congress
candidates is being adhered to. |
Heroin worth 72 lakh seized in
Delhi NEW DELHI, July 20 — In the first ever interception of a heroin ‘swallower’ at Indira Gandhi International Airport, 720 grams of white heroin, worth Rs 72 lakh in the international market, was seized from a Ghanaian national. A "swallower" is a person who swallows small tablets and capsules of contraband to conceal them in his internal body cavities and various body parts of the food canal to avoid detection. Addressing a press conference here today, Commissioner of Customs (General), Ms Vijay Zutshi, said Customs officers intercepted David Omari Nyarko, a 35-year-old Ghanaian national, who was travelling to Rome via Paris by Air France on July 16. "A small time trader in Italy, he had arrived in the country on July 12. Search of his person resulted in the recovery of 20 capsules concealed beneath three pieces of underwear worn by him," she said. On examination, these capsules were found to contain 200 grams of white powder which tested positive for heroin. "On interrogation, David admitted concealment of three capsules in his rectum and voluntarily ejected it. From these packets, a further 150 grams of heroin was recovered," Ms Zutshi said. She pointed out that this seizure closely follows a seizure of 7.350 kg of hashish from a young Greek national, who is a model. The contraband valued at Rs 73.5 lakhs in the international market was seized on June 7 at IGI Airport. The Commissioner of Customs stated that in his voluntary statement, the passenger admitted his guilt. "His previous two visits during the past two months and the capsule mode of packing led the officers to believe that David is a swallower," she said. Further questioning led to David’s admission that he has swallowed about 38 capsules of heroin. He was admitted in RML Hospital by the order of the court of the ACMM, New Delhi. In the hospital, he ejected 38 capsules. Examination of these 38 capsules resulted in the seizure of 370 grams of heroin. Ms Zutshi said swallowing is a potentially dangerous and sometime fatal modus operandi in the event of leakage or bursting of capsules inside the body. Drug couriers use this mode of concealment mainly at US and European airports where the enforcement tools and techniques are perceived to be highly advanced. "That this mode of concealment has been detected at IGI airport is itself an indication of the effectiveness of Customs officers in the enforcement against drug trafficking," she said. "A total of 720
grams of heroin valued at Rs 72 lakh in the international
market was seized. It took almost 38 hours to recover the
capsules from the food canal of David. David was placed
under arrest on July 18 and was later remanded in
judicial custody till July 23. "Further
investigations are on," she said. |
NHRC: pay Rs 60,000 to
shopkeeper NEW DELHI, July 20 — The National Human Rights Commission has directed the Delhi Government to pay a compensation of Rs 60,000 to a victim of police harassment and send the compliance report within four weeks. After examining a report submitted by its Directore-General (Investigation), the commission said that Subhash Chand was clearly harassed by the police. The commission said the report showed that the police officers misused power. The commission directed immediate interim relief for agony, humiliation and financial loss suffered by the victim. In a complaint to the commission, Subhash Chand alleged that he had been illegally detained by the special staff of the North-East district of the Delhi police. He said he was released only on payment of Rs 30,000. The complainant also mentioned that an inquiry was ordered after the matter was brought to the notice of senior police officers. Thereafter, the police officers were suspended. Acting on the complaint, the commission directed Mr D.R. Karthikeyan, Director-General (Investigation), to ascertain the facts. According to the report submitted by the investigation team, four policemen of the special staff of the North-East district police picked up Subhash Chand from his shop in Bhajanpura along with two more persons. They took him to the police office in Seelampur. Sources in the commission said when the victim’s father went to the police station to seek his release, he was asked to pay Rs 1 lakh. Unable to pay the amount, he complained to the Police Commissioner. According to the report, the police held three persons in illegal detention and did not lodge an FIR in the case. Relatives of the victim then approached the Sub-Inspector of the police station. The SI reportedly demanded Rs 50,000 and later agreed on a payment of Rs 30,000. Subsequently, the police
released the three persons. |
Two held for bank robbery NEW DELHI, July 20 — The city police has arrested two persons allegedly involved in a bank robbery and murder committed on June 10 at Bhikaji Cama Place in the South-West police district. The suspects, Pradeep Singh, alias Ustad, and Naresh alias, Batte, were arrested yesterday at Benito Juerezo Marg. While one was on a Yamaha motor cycle, the other was on a scooter. Two other suspects, Mahabir and Amar, are absconding. The police impounded the vehicle used in the crime. Besides, a countrymade pistol and two live cartridges and a knife were recovered from their possession. The police said following sustained interrogation, the two confessed their involvement in the robbery-cum-murder case. They also disclosed that the robbery was committed in connivance with bank employees, the police said. Mahabir was a hardened
criminal. He was involved in three murder cases. He was
sentenced to life imprisonment in one of the cases. AT
present he was on parole, the police added. |
Jessica Lal case NEW DELHI, July 20 — The charge sheet in the Jessica Lal murder case would be filed before August 4, the standing counsel for the Delhi police informed the Delhi High Court today. The “field investigation” was complete and the charge sheet would be filed before August 4 when the 90 days statutory period expired, standing counsel, S.S. Gandhi submitted before a Division Bench. The High Court said issues other than the main crime in the case would be taken up only after the police filed the charge sheet in the trial court. A Division Bench comprising Justice Dalveer Bhandari and Justice R.S. Sodhi, fixing the next hearing for August 23 said the issues raised in the public interest litigation (PIL) would be taken up once the charge sheet was filed by the Delhi police within the mandatory period. Regarding “doubts” raised by counsel for the Bhrashtachar Virodhi Morcha (BVM) which had filed the PIL seeking a CBI inquiry into the case, the court said “unless there was some material which put reasonable doubt on the investigation no conclusion could be drawn”. Counsel for BVM Mohammed Sajjid said a “fair probe” was not possible due to the alleged presence of some high-ranking police offcials in the restaurant where the model was shot dead on April 30. Mr Sajjid said another Division Bench, hearing the case earlier, had specifically asked the police to furnish a complete list of persons present in the restaurant on the day of the crime, including police and civil offcials, and tell the court how licence was given to Ms Bina Ramani to run a bar. He said the court had also asked about the role of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) in allocating the building to the Ramanis and how commercial activities were allowed within the prohibited limit of a monument in violation of rules. The other issues before the court included how a “no objection certificate (NoC)” was given to her by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and what was the exact nature of the restaurant, whether it was an eating place or something else, he said. The government counsel
said separate action would be taken against guilty
offcials under law and the authorities had initiated
proceedings under the Excise Act against the restaurant
owners. |
Skirmishes mark Darbhanga bandh DARBHANGA, July 20 (PTI) — Clashes skirmishes and demonstrations marked today’s 12-hour “Darbhanga bandh” by the BJP and the Left in protest against Saturday’s police firing and the stampede that followed claiming 24 Army aspirants near the airbase here, official sources said. The bandh supporters fought pitched battles with the police at several places while trying to enforce the bandh in the twin towns of Darbhanga and Laheriaserai, which wore a deserted look during the day, the sources said. A few policemen and bandh supporters received minor injuries in stone throwing by the latter as the lathi-wielding police chased away the protesters, the sources said. Bandh supporters held processions in different parts of the towns shouting anti-administration slogans and staged dharnas. About 300 persons have been arrested so far from different places in the two towns, the sources added. Shops and major business establishments downed their shutters and vehicular traffic went off the roads in Darbhanga and Leheriaserai. Attendance in state government and private sector offices were also thin, the sources said. The BJP, the CPI and the CPM and CPI-ML (L) had given simultaneous call for the bandh to press for the immediate suspension of Darbhanga SP U. Singh for his alleged failure to tackle the unruly mob of job seekers. While Left parties have
demanded a judicial probe into the incident, the BJP
sought immediate resignation of Chief Minister Rabri
Devi. |
Cong ‘not sincere to
armed forces’ NEW DELHI, July 20 — The BJP today charged the Congress for shedding crocodile tears for the armed forces saying its opposition to proxy vote for the armed forces and paramilitary personnel “is a strange way of expressing solidarity” with them. Addressing newspersons, the BJP’s Chief Whip in the Rajya Sabha, Mr V.K. Malhotra, said if the Congress President, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, and her colleagues had any true feeling for India’s brave defence and para-military forces, they would not have opposed giving the right of proxy vote to our men and women in uniform. The Congress leadership must either drop the charade of their “concern for the welfare of the armed forces” or stop their doublespeak in such vital affairs, Mr Malhotra said. Describing the Congress stand on the issue as “unfortunate”, Mr Malhotra said the Election Commission had suggested replacing the postal ballot for services personnel with proxy vote at a meeting with the political parties in the month of June but the Congress had opposed the EC’s move. Stating that the
Congress’s opposition to proxy vote would deny about
40 lakh personnel of the armed forces, paramilitary
forces and those on the election duty, Mr Malhotra said
equity and justice should take precedent over partisan
consideration but the Congress leadership “is
incapable of being selfless”. |
CDS exam result declared NEW DELHI, July 20 (UNI) — The Union Public Service Commission has declared the result of Combined Defence Services written examination held in May. The successful candidates have qualified for admission to the Indian Military Academy, Dehra Dun, 108th course commencing in January, 2000, the Air Force Academy, Air Force Station, Bagumpet, Hyderabad (pre-flying training course commencing in January, 2000 and the Officers' Training Academy, Madras 71st SSC course commencing May, 2000. The candidature of all
candidates is provisional. In accordance with the
conditions of their admission to the examination, they
are required to submit the original certificates in
support of age, educational qualifications, NCC (C) (Army
wing/Air wing/Naval wing) claimed by them to Army
headquarters. |
J&K asked to step up
security NEW DELHI, July 20 — The Centre today directed the Jammu and Kashmir government to strengthen security in vulnerable areas and asked senior officials of the CRPF to review the situation in the state with the police in the wake of the latest killings. In the wake of the latest incident in Doda and Poonch district last night, the Union Home Ministry reviewed the situation at a high-level meeting convened by the Home Secretary, Mr Kamal Pande. Home Ministry sources said the decision to send senior CRPF officials was taken so that the security situation in the state could be reviewed. The CRPF had been assisting the Jammu and Kashmir police in maintaining law and order in the state. The Union Home Minister Mr L.K. Advani had expressed apprehension that Pakistan-backed militants may indulge in subversive activities following the victory by Indian defence forces in flushing out intruders from the Kargil Sector. Earlier this month, the
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, had
requested the Centre to send additional paramilitary
forces to the state where trained militants and foreign
mercenaries had resurfaced. |
More contributions for NDF NEW DELHI, July 20 — Contributions continued to flow in to the National Defence Fund for the welfare of families of soldiers affected in the Kargil conflict. The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has contributed a sum of Rs 32 lakh towards the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund and the NDF. Hindustan Zinc Limited has contributed Rs 30 lakh towards the NDF. The amount has been contributed by employees of the company by donating a day’s salary. An amount of Rs 50 lakh was presented by the management of the company to the Ministry of Steel and Mines towards the NDF. Guru Harkrishan Public
School, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi, has contributed Rs 1
lakh towards the NDF. All staff members as well as
students contributed. |
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| Fire in newspaper office MADURAI: A major fire broke out in the office of Tamil daily Dina Bhoomi at Sellur here early on Tuesday, destroying property worth more than Rs 2 crore. The police said the fire, which was noticed around 3.15 a.m., engulfed the entire office quickly, destroying two modern printing machines and other office equipment. The cause of the fire was not known. — UNI Arundhati for debate on
dam issue Varsity official
commits suicide Jaisinghani is
new ASG for Delhi 250 houses
gutted Lathi charge at
recruitment rally Drenched girl
sets herself ablaze UNESCO prize for
literacy mission |
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