Wednesday, July 28, 1999
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N A T I O N |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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Cong, BJP sharpen knives |
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Governor tells JD to
settle rift in court
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Cong pacts with RPI
group, MGP Jats align with BSP, NCP in
Rajasthan Arrest warrant of Devi Lal
cancelled 430 cr for better DD, AIR services
in J&K ISI putting pressure on Punjab
militants Heroin worth 1.8 cr seized Health employees strike work Jagat Singh is YC Gen Secy 5 UP gangsters arrested Prem Bhatia Memorial Lecture on
Aug 11 |
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Kargil NEW DELHI, July 27 — The Congress and BJP today sharpened their knives on the Kargil issue. Reacting to Mrs Sonia Gandhi’s broadside at a public meeting in Madhya Pradesh, where the Congress president said "under the Vajpayee government, even the borders of the country have become unsafe", the BJP General Secretary, Mr M. Venkaih Naidu, alleged that the Congress was, "hopelessly isolated and alienated from the national sentiment". The BJP alleged that the Congress campaign, which it termed as "absurd", was essentially threefold - "First, to project national victory as defeat when victory could not be denied; to assert that the Army had won and the government had lost; and even while the international community endorsed India’s stand, to allege diplomatic failure". Thus, even in its denial, the BJP sought to drape itself in the glory of "victory in Kargil" - which is essentially the Congress party’s point of criticism. The principal opposition party is of the opinion that while the glory should be reserved for the jawans, the government ought to reply to specific questions regarding circumstances leading to the presence of intruders on Indian territory while the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, was shaking hands with his counterpart, Mr Nawaz Sharif. Addressing a meeting at Rajnandgaon, Mrs Sonia Gandhi today asked the Vajpayee government to own moral responsibility for its "failure" to check the intrusion of Pakistani forces in Kargil. Had the government been more watchful, hundreds of Indian soldiers would not have been killed, she pointed out. She said it was strange that at a time when the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan were talking in friendly terms to each other (apparent reference to the Lahore bus ride), intruders from Pakistan were entering Kargil. In New Delhi, her party’s spokesman, Mr Kapil Sibal, referring to a press report from Lahore in which Pakistan army spokesman Brig Rashid Qureshi had been quoted as saying that the process of capturing the heights in Kargil had started in September last year, said that Congress party’s criticism was not against the bus ride but he was questioning the judgement of the government which was oblivious to the realities on the border during the much trumpeted event at Lahore. Mr Sibal said that by setting up the four-member committee headed by Mr K.Subramaniam, the Vajpayee government had shown that it wished to hide its culpability. "The Prime Minister does not want to tell us that when the enemy crossed the LoC and when he came to know of it - to answer this the Prime Minister does not need a four-member committee". The BJP, on its part, alleged that the Congress was using information emanating from Pakistan with ease and even alleged that Islamabad’s Information Minister, Mr Mushahid Hussain, has been accepted by the Congress as its official "information guru". Referring to the
Congress criticism, the BJP spokesman said, "this
contrasts sharply with Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee’s
response during the build-up to the 1971 war, during the
war and when India won the war or when he as Leader of
the Opposition put aside his political differences with
the then Congress government (headed by P.V. Narasimha
Rao) and successfully fought India’s case at the UN
Human Rights Commission in Geneva". |
Shoot-at-sight orders in Ahmedabad AHMEDABAD, July 27 (PTI) — At least four persons were killed in fresh outbreak of communal violence here forcing the authorities to order shoot-at-sight and clamp indefinite curfew in the Shahpur and Karanj localities. A 32-year-old man was stabbed to death by some unidentified persons at Ratanpol and two persons were killed in Shahpur and Maninagar localities of the city. A youth, who was stabbed and injured at Karanj area, succumbed to his injuries at a hospital. Another youth was stabbed at Raikhad, the police said. The latest killings push up the death toll since communal violence broke out on Sunday to seven. The police said 20 persons were injured in stabbing and stone-pelting incidents since then. The police said a youth suffered severe burns at gheekanta when a mob set him on fire this morning. The police burst about 100 teargas shells in the areas to quell the mobs which hurled stones and attacked passers-by. Stone-pelting and group clashes were reported from Mirzapur, Gheekanta, Ratanpol and Raikhad areas, the police said. Ahmedabad Police
Commissioner P.C. Pandey issued shoot-at-sight orders
against rioters found indulging in violence and arson. |
Governor tells JD to settle rift in court BANGALORE, July 27 (UNI) — The Karnataka Governor, Mr Khursheed Alam, today advised warring Janata Dal factions to settle 'all disputes' in a court of law, even as the faction headed by Chief Minister J.H. Patel claimed that it enjoyed majority support in the state. After a 45-minute meeting with the Governor, Mr Patel told newsmen at Raj Bhavan that they had agreed to abide by the Governor's advice. In a related development, Mr C. Byre Gowda, president of the Patel faction of the Dal, claimed that 68 out of 128 members of the Dal legislature party had signed the affidavits demanding allotment of the 'wheel' symbol to the group. The affidavits had to be submitted before the Election Commission on August 3. NEW DELHI (TNS): Meanwhile the BJP is discussing Lok Shakti President R.K. Hegde’s proposal to bring in a faction of the Janata Dal into the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The party spokesman, Mr M. Venkaiah Naidu, said that Mr Hegde, who met the BJP President, Mr Kushabhau Thakre, last evening at the party headquarters, brought up the proposal of bringing in the Janata Dal into the NDA. Mr Hegde told Mr Thakre that "if the JD can also join the NDA, it would be useful for our cause", Mr Naidu said. When asked about the BJP’s stand on the issue, Mr Naidu said that the proposal had come now and the party would take a proper decision at the proper time after discussing it. The BJP would finalise its stand about the JD’s proposal to join the NDA before the coordination committee meeting on July 31. Meanwhile, the Janata
Dal President, Mr Sharad Yadav, has convened a meeting of
the party’s National Executive on July 29, a day
ahead of such a meeting convened by rival JD faction
headed by the former Prime Minister, Mr H. D. Deve Gowda. |
Operations ‘far from over’ NEW DELHI, July 27 (UNI) — Chief of the Army Staff Gen V.P. Malik today claimed the action in Kargil is "far from over" and said firing was continuing along the Line of Control (LoC) despite the eviction of Pakistani intruders as there was neither any political nor military understanding between the two countries. In an interview to private television channel "Aaj Tak", Gen Malik maintained that except the air strikes all other forms of armaments is being used by the Army in the Kargil theatre and therefore it would not be correct to claim that the action is over. "It would be wrong to say that the conflict in Kargil is over because firing from both sides along the LoC is going on", he said. Asked why the firing was
continuing even after pullout of Pakistani troops and
eviction of the remaining intruders, the Army Chief said,
"the firing is continuing because at the moment
there is neither a political nor a military understanding
between the two countries." |
Cong pacts with RPI group,
MGP NEW DELHI, July 27 — With the objective of defeating the BJP-Shiv Sena combine in Maharashtra, the Congress today arrived at an electoral understanding with Prakash Ambedkar’s faction of the Republic Party of India (RPI). “The Congress and the RPI have agreed to forge a common platform and have come to an understanding to fight such forces which represent what could be a bleak future for the country and Maharashtra in particular,” the AICC General Secretary, Mr Madhavrao Scindia, said today. Addressing a press conference at his residence, Mr Scindia said that further talks would be held with the RPI leaders and the State Congress leaders on seat adjustments. Mr Scindia said the Congress was open to the idea of power-sharing. Apart from Mr Prakash Ambedkar, a grandson of Bhimrao Ambedkar, those present on the occasion included the PCC Chief, Mr Prataprao Bhonsale, an AICC Secretary, Mr Anil Shastri, and Maharashtra Congress leaders, Mr Sushil Kumar Shinde, Mr Suresh Kalmadi and Mr Gurudas Kamat. On the possibility of tying up with other factions of the RPI, including Mr R.S. Gavai and Prof Joginder Kawade, the AICC General Secretary said he was hopeful of clinching an agreement with these two. The other faction, that of Mr Ramdas Athavale, has already sided with Mr Pawar’s party. In Goa, the Congress has formed a coalition with the Maharashtra Gomantak Party (MGP) headed by a former Union Minister, Mr Ramakant D. Khalap. The Congress, which won 21 seats in the 40-member assembly earlier this year, has decided to enter into a coalition with the four-member MGP in Goa, the Mr Scindia announced today. The Congress at present
has a strength of 23 with two MLAs joining the party
after the elections and also the support of an
Independent. While the exact nature of coalition has not
yet been worked out, it is understood that the MGP would
like to share power in Goa. |
Jats align with BSP, NCP in
Rajasthan JAIPUR, July 27 — The BSP, the Lok Dal (Ajit Singh), the Nationalist Congress Party and the Jat Mahasabha have entered into a poll alliance in Rajasthan for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. This was announced here today at a press conference jointly addressed by representatives of all four parties. State BJP chief Jagat Singh Dayma, General Secretary of the Lok Dal Mahipal Yadav, the Nationalist Congress Party’s state convener Jagdeep Dhankar and the Jat Mahasabha action committee’s chairman Hari Singh told newsmen that seat sharing would be decided after a rally on August 1 at Jaipur to press for the demand of reservation. Dr Hari Singh of the Jat Mahasabha, said since the mahasabha was not a recognised political party it would extend support to candidates of the BSP, the NCP and the LD. Where these parties did not have enough strength the Jat Mahasabha would field its own candidates. The Jat Mahasabha’s call to Jats to not give votes to the Congress sent former MP Bal Ram Jakhar running to Jaipur on Monday to convey Mrs Sonia Gandhi’s message that the Congress still stood by its promise to grant the OBC status to Jats. He appealed to the Jat Mahasabha to withdraw its call in this regard. But the Jat leaders today rejected Mr Jakhar’s appeal saying that Mr Jakhar was a “liar”. Former minister Sheesh Ram Ola, who had recently joined the Congress, told newsmen that it would be wrong to underestimate the impact of the mahasabha’s call. Chief Minister Ashok
Gehlot said his hands were tied because of the procedure
laid by the Supreme Court ruling in matters of granting
the OBC status to any particular community. He said he
stood still committed to the promise of reservation to
Jats and others and promised to implement the
recommendations of the commission as and when received. |
Arrest warrant of Devi Lal
cancelled NEW DELHI, July 27 - The Delhi Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Mr R.K. Gauba, today cancelled the non-bailable arrest warrants (NBW) issued against Mr Devi Lal after the former Deputy Prime Minister personally appeared before him. Mr Gauba, who had issued the NBW against Mr Devi Lal yesterday for his failure to appear before him in a Hawala-scam related income tax case, also allowed his plea seeking restoration of bail bond. The CMM had issued the NBW as neither Mr Devi Lal nor his counsel appeared before him despite repeated calls. However, Mr Devi Lal today submitted that it was due to an inadvertent mistake as on May 4, the last date of hearing, his counsel had noted down in his diary the next date as July 27 instead of July 26. The court fixed
September 10 for adducing evidence. |
430 cr for better DD, AIR
services in J&K NEW DELHI, July 27 — The Cabinet today approved a package worth Rs 430 crore for improving Doordarshan and All India Radio services in Jammu and Kashmir. The Information and Broadcasting Minister, Mr Pramod Mahajan, said under the package, Doordarshan would set up two high-powered transmitters each at Naushera, Tithwal, Kupwara, Gurez and Samba for DD-1 and DD-2 programmes besides providing mobile lower-powered transmitters at 12 locations and new VLPTs at 60 locations at a cost of Rs 218 crore. The package includes upgradation of existing transmitters for DD-1 and DD-2 at Amritsar. All India Radio would set up nine relay stations and upgrade three existing transmitters at a cost of Rs 48.40 crore. An amount of Rs 163.67 crore would be spent for developing software for AIR and DD under this approval, Mr Mahajan said. The upgradation would begin immediately and would be completed by June, 2001. An empowered committee of secretaries, chaired by the Secretary, Information and Broadcasting, had also been set up to ensure its speedy implementation. The other members of the committee were the Secretary (Defence), Secretary (Expenditure), Special Secretary (J and K Administration) in the Home Ministry and Adviser, Planning Commission. PTI adds: With this upgradation, Jammu and Kashmir would be the only state in the country with satellite uplink facilities from three centres — Jammu, Srinagar and Leh. "This package would
help the government to tackle the information war
launched by Pakistan. During my recent visit to Kargil,
the local people had brought to my notice that PTV
reception was better than Doordarshan. The upgradation
should have been done much earlier, " Mr Mahajan
said. |
ISI putting pressure on Punjab militants NEW DELHI, July 27 (PTI) — Pakistan’s inter-services intelligence (ISI) is employing new strategies to revive militancy in Punjab and putting pressure on the remaining militants to “undertake some sensational terrorist actions”, according to official sources here. “Pakistan-based Punjab militant groups, particularly Khalistan Commando Force (Panjwar) (KCF-P), Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF), are under pressure from the ISI to undertake some sensational terrorist actions here,” they said. KCF-P chief Paramjit Singh Panjwar is believed to have sent two consignments of explosives to Punjab, they said, adding two of his confidants — Paramjit Singh and Kulwinder Singh — have sneaked into the state from Germany via Nepal with a specific purpose of targeting VIPs. At least 29 leaders of various Punjab militant organisations are at presently believed to be in Pakistan getting active support of ISI. The sources, citing the
recent incidents of militant strikes in Punjab and
neighbouring states, said the ISI had embarked upon a new
strategy to revive the atmosphere of terror in the state. |
Heroin worth 1.8 cr seized NEW DELHI, July 27 — Heroin worth Rs 1.8 crore in the international market was seized by Customs officials from a German national at Indira Gandhi International Airport. White heroin weighing about 1.8 Kg was seized from Richard Heinrich Rodriguez, who was ‘in-transit’ in Delhi on his way to Amsterdam from Kathmandu on July 21, the Commissioner of Customs Mrs Vijay Zutshi told newsmen here today. The accused had concealed the contraband between two layers of leather in his briefcase and in a cavity in his shoes. He admitted to having procured the heroin in Islamabad and was carrying it to Amsterdam via Kathmandu. This is the second major drug seizure at the IGI Airport recently. Last week, heroin worth Rs 72 lakh was seized from a national of Ghana. Mrs Zutshi said the accused had scraped the sole of his shoes from inside to create a cavity and the heroin packets were concealed beneath the sole. The accused, besides
concealing the contraband, had tried to
“camouflage” his journey details as well. |
Health employees strike work NEW DELHI, July 27 (UNI) — Health employees of several government hospitals and dispensaries went on a day-long token strike here today but the authorities claimed that normal services were maintained in all major hospitals. The group ‘C’ and ‘D’ employees had struck work for 24 hours from 6 a.m. today to press their demand for action against the Director of Lala Ram Swarup TB Hospital, Mr V.K. Arora, charged with sexual harassment at the workplace. Several hundred agitating employees, demonstrating outside the Health Ministry’s office at Nirman Bhavan, were pushed back by the police. While the joint council representing the striking employees claimed that the police resorted to a mild lathi-charge and water cannons to disperse peaceful demonstrators. The Union Health Ministry said the police had to push the employees back as they scaled the boundary walls and started pelting stones. The joint council
co-convenor, Mr Ram Kishan, said the hospital
administration tried to run the basic services with the
help of the police personnel. |
Jagat Singh is YC Gen Secy NEW DELHI, July 27 — Mr Jagat Singh has been appointed as the General Secretary of the Indian Youth Congress by its President, Mr Manish Tewari. The IYC President also
appointed Mr Mansoor Hasan as the General Secretary of
the Delhi Pradesh Youth Congress, Mr Irar and Mr
Noor-Ul-Zazama were appointed Secretary of the DPYC, a
press note said. |
5 UP gangsters arrested NEW DELHI, July 27 — With the arrest of five alleged gangsters of Uttar Pradesh, the crime branch of the Delhi police claimed to have solved nine cases of murder and impounded five trucks. The gangsters held were Attar Singh, his associate Ram Avtar and three receivers of stolen property — Satish Kumar of Bulandshahr, Nanhe Khan and Pawan Kumar of Delhi. They basically operated in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, the Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime), Mr S.K. Jain, said. The gangsters used to
sell the truck either in Delhi or Uttar Pradesh on
throwaway prices, Mr Jain said. |
Prem Bhatia Memorial Lecture
on Aug 11 NEW DELHI, July 27 — The father of the green revolution in India, Prof M.S. Swaminathan, will deliver the fourth Prem Bhatia Memorial Lecture next month in the Capital. The noted agricultural economist would express his views on the topic, “Media, hunger and the environment,” on August 11 at India International Centre. A former ICS officer, Mr
B.K. Nehru, will preside over the function. |
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| Fake degree holder
surrenders NAGPUR: The special investigating team (SIT), probing the fake degree, marksheets and wrongful revaluation scandal or Nagpur University, got a shot in the arm with a fake degree holder surrendering before the police on Monday. The police said Pavichandran Bhagwatchandran Narayan of Begumpeth in Hyderabad was wanted in connection with the scam for obtaining a Bachelor of Engineering (BE) degree by unfair means. — PTI Vice-President
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