8 killed in two road mishaps
KAPURTHALA, June 21 — Eight persons, including a woman and a girl, were killed while 10 others injured in two different road accidents in Kapurthala subdivision here yesterday, the police said today.

AISSF dissolved, to be recast
JALANDHAR, June 21 — All-India Sikh Students Federation President, Harminder Singh Gill yesterday announced the dissolution of the party organisation and its wings at home and abroad with a view to making it more efficient by weeding out elements who had been inactive or trying to undermine its strength from within for their personal and vested interests.

Punjabi University entrance tests
PATIALA, June 21 — The Punjabi University will hold entrance test for admission to LL.B. course on the university campus (morning shift) and at regional Centre, Bathinda.

Cong leader against deferring poll
GURDASPUR, June 21 — Mr Ashwani Kumar, a member of the media committee of the AICC and a senior advocate, said here today that the elections in the country should not be postponed without justification because that would be subversive of the constitution.

Man robbed of Rs 3.17 lakh
AMRITSAR, June 21 — Three robbers in a Maruti van, who posed themselves as policemen, today took away Rs 3.17 lakh from an employee of a local cigarette agency.

• Shopkeepers hold protest
• Rally by patwaris

• BKU blocks traffic, holds rally
  
  

SAD (Mann) threat on farmers’ demands
Tribune News Service

PATIALA, June 21 — The Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) today threatened to cut power supply to the official residences of Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal and the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) Chairman, Mr S K Tuteja, if the state government did not accept the demands of the state farmers immediately.

The party has not finalised any date for its proposed action. Its Kisan Wing chairman Satnam Singh Behru said the party had decided to give some time to the government to accept the demands.

Earlier while addressing the protest dharna, party president Simranjit Singh Mann said the state government had failed to provide power to the farmers and the farmers were facing difficulty to sow paddy. He said the farmers were getting power for only four hours daily while some areas were not getting power altogether.

He said every section of the society was annoyed with the state government because of its wrong policies. He said the state government headed by Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal)-Bharatiya Janata Party had failed on all fronts.

Speaking on this occasion Prof Prem Singh Chandumajra, general secretary, all-India Shiromani Akali Dal, said the state government had failed to take timely decisions to solve the problems faced by the farmers in the state. He said the farmers were facing hardships due to the inefficiency of the state government. He said Punjab State Electricity Board authorities had failed to include the representatives of people in the dispute settlement committees (DSC) to provide justice to the consumers. Mr Chandumajra also alleged the board was trying to commit fraud with its consumers by sending them electricity bills on average basis and alleged that the board was doing all this on the directions of the state government. He said that the state government had hatched a conspiracy to befool the poor as they would get remaining bills in lakhs later.

Others who spoke on this occasion included legislator Ajitinder Singh Mofar. Later a deputation of the party also submitted a memorandum to the board authorities. The memorandum containing 14 demands related to the problems of the farmers.

Meanwhile Mr Behru claimed that the dharna, was successful one and it would pave the way for the formation of a third front in the state for the ensuing parliamentary elections. He said leaders belonging to three political parties including the Janata Dal, addressed farmers today from a common platform.

5 horseback poppy smugglers nabbed
Tribune News Service

PATIALA, June 21 — Poppy husk smugglers of Daban Kheri village in Kaithal district of Haryana, plying their trade across the border in Punjab on Horse back since ages, have for the first time received a setback with police horses chasing them through water-filled paddy fields yesterday resulting in the arrest of five smugglers and death of one by a gunshot wound.

Five horses from the Police Lines tackled the smugglers even as the entire area adjoining Dhablan village was cordoned off by the police from Patiala, Nabha and Samana subdivision. At the end of the day heroes were Sheru, a police horse which remained in service despite being hit by a kirpan, and Sridevi, a mare which died of exhaustion following a four-hour chase across paddy fields.

Constable Jasbir Singh, who prevented the escape of the smugglers by catching hold of a sharp-edged weapon aimed at him, has been promoted havaldar. Superintendent of Police (Detective) Kewal Kumar disclosed that in the melee following the attack on Jasbir, another smuggler fired from a 12 bore shotgun which instead of hitting the constable hit a smuggler on the shoulder. Mr Kumar said another smuggler also attacked Assistant Sub Inspector Ram Avtar with "kirpan" but it hit the officer's horse.

The police officer said five smugglers and their horses were rounded up by evening while one of them escaped. He said the smuggler hit by a fire arm had been identified as Jajwinder Singh and succumbed to his injuries while being taken to hospital in the evening. He said the entire operation took more than four hours after Nabha Station House Officer Devinder Singh got a tip-off that seven persons on horseback were selling poppy husk near the Mehas Bir in the afternoon.

Mr Kumar said the smugglers, against whom a case had been registered under the Narcotics and Arms Act, had been identified as Angrej Singh, Jasbir Singh, Chhinder Singh and Pargat Singh all of Daban Kheri and Kala Singh of Seon Majra also in Kaithal district of Haryana. He said around 40 kg of poppy husk and Rs 45,000 in cash which the smugglers had collected by selling the drug had been recovered from them.

The smugglers when spoken to by The Tribune, said this was their fourth foray to smuggle poppy husk into Punjab. They said they used to buy poppy husk from rich villagers of Daban Kheri after a truck was offloaded in the village. Mr Jasbir Singh said he had taken the mare he was riding on rent and that they were able to ply their trade as the Haryana Police turned a blind eye to smuggling being done into Punjab.

The smugglers, while admitting they had been carrying heavy sticks, denied they were carrying any weapons. They also denied that any of their man had fired from a 12 bore gun as claimed by the police. Dr O.P. Aggarewal, an Assistant Professor in the Mortuary Department in the Rajindra Hospital, while confirming that Jajwinder Singh had been killed by a gun shot wound said it was still to be seen as to from which weapon had been fired.

Meanwhile Superintendent of Police (headquarters) Narjinder Singh Sekhon said a special drive was being carried out to stop smuggling of drugs form Haryana into the state and that 24 hour checkpoints had been created along the border. He said the police of subdivisions along the border with Haryana had been told to work in cooperation with each other besides being given the task of identifying alternative routes being taken by the smugglers after checkpoints were created on the main routes.

‘Ranwas’ to regain lost glory
From Jangveer Singh
Tribune News Service

PATIALA: Royal banquets may not be held here any longer, but the "ranwas" structure, used for entertaining guests of the Phulkian dynasty, is set to regain its lost glory with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) starting restoration work of its entire front portion.

Work on the "ranwas" started soon after it was highlighted that it was languishing for want of conservation as the state government was not using resources at its command to take up the restoration work as well as denying money to the ASI for carrying out the work.

Though the work had been handed over to the ASI a year back following a public interest litigation and the state government had sanctioned Rs 10 lakh to it, the agency had dug in its heels saying it would start work only when it was handed over the Rs 42 lakh needed for the project according to an assessment made by it. Even now it is not clear whether the state government had released the additional funds to the ASI and whether it is starting work with the Rs 10 lakh in its kitty.

The ASI, which has established a camp office here, has set upon the task of dismantling most of the roofs on the second floor. One of the ceilings had caved in earlier. After the restoration of the ceiling, other restoration work will be taken up.

Talking to TNS, an ASI official said most of the ceilings on the second storey had been dismantled and work on restoring them would be started soon. Though restoration work would follow the original, the load on the ceiling would be reduced. Besides this, the walls would be strengthened and numerous cracks which had developed in them would be "stitched". The front plaster of the "ranwas", which had peeled off at various places, would also be reapplied to restore it to its original beauty.

However, the ASI is running a race against time. The fact that it has dismantled many roofs would mean that they would have to be restored partially before the monsoon so that rain water does not enter the building and damage paintings made in vegetable dyes in some rooms besides weakening the structure further. The work may be affected as the ASI will be constrained to use the same wood — Sal and Deodar — used as rafters in the ranwas which is not readily available right now.

The ASI official while admitting this problem, however said tenders would be floated for Sal and Deodar rafters in case the Punjab Government did not have any rafters of these woods in its stock. The work on the roofing was expected to be completed in a month.

The "ranwas" is a later addition to the Quila Mubarak having been constructed after 1857 mainly for holding marriages and banquets. Around two years back a portion of the "ranwas" structure had collapsed following which the Punjab and Haryana High Court has taken suo moto notice and directed that the conservation work of the structure be given to a reputed agency. Consequently the ASI had been entrusted with the work.

Woman alleges her baby was sold
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, June 21 — The Punjab and Haryana High Court today issued a notice to the Director-General of Punjab Police, the CBI and the SSP of Ropar on a habeas corpus petition filed by Mrs Ramabjeet Kaur alleging that her newborn male child had been sold to one Mr Suresh Kumar, a resident of Ropar district.

Mr Justice H.S. Bedi, who heard this petition at his house, also directed them to produce the child in the court on July 7, the next date of hearing.

In her petition, Mrs Ramabjeet Kaur alleged that twins were born to her at the PGI's Gynaecology Department. Prior to the delivery, her ultrasound at a private clinic as also at the PGI had showed twins in her womb.

She alleged that after the delivery only a female child was handed over to her. When persistent inquiries were made about the other child, the PGI authorities denied any knowledge.

The husband of the petitioner shot off representations to the Director of the PGI, the former Inspector-General of Police of Chandigarh, Mrs Kiran Bedi, and the SSP, of Ropar, but in vain.

The petitioner claimed that ultimately she was able to trace the child. She added that the male child born to her was sold to one Mr Suresh Bhalla, a resident of Ropar. She further claimed that a photograph of the male child taken secretly clearly showed the resemblance between him and the female child.

Mrs Ramanjeet Kaur alleged that male child was sold in connivance with a gynaecologist at the Civil Hospital, Ropar.

8 killed in two road mishaps
From Our Correspondent

KAPURTHALA, June 21 — Eight persons, including a woman and a girl, were killed while 10 others injured in two different road accidents in Kapurthala subdivision here yesterday, the police said today.

Seven persons were killed and six others injured in a head-on collision between a Tata Sumo and a bus near Dhilwan on the Jalandhar-Amritsar G T Road yesterday.

The victims were travelling in a Tata Sumo from Amritsar to Ludhiana to participate in the annual meeting of Behal community when the vehicle collided with a Punjab Roadways bus coming from Jalandhar.

The deceased have been identified as Joginder Pal, his brother, Sudarshan Kumar, Nirmal Kaur, wife of Sudarshan Kumar, Reema, Vinod, and Gopal Krishan and one unidentified person, all residents of Amritsar.

The injured were admitted to a hospital at Beas.

In another accident, Dayal Singh (30), a resident of Sabhrawan near Tarn Taran, was killed and four others were injured when a four-wheeler in which they were travelling turned turtle near New Grain market here yesterday.

The injured have been admitted to the local Civil Hospital.

PYC activists burn Sharif's effigy
From Our Correspondent

FEROZEPORE, June 21 — To -protest against Pakistan's involvement in the Kargil intrusion and torture of Indian soldiers captured by its army, hundreds of activists of the Punjab Youth Congress (PYC) today burnt an effigy of Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif near Hussainiwala railway station, 3 km from the Indo-Pak border.

Addressing the activists, PYC state president Devinder Singh Babbu lauded the role of the Indian soldiers who laid down their lives defending their motherland and demanded the setting up of memorials in honour of those martyrs who hailed from Punjab.

He said the BJP-led government at the Centre had failed to properly tackle the Kargil issue. He alleged that the Kargil issue had got complicated due to irresponsible statements by Defence Minister George Fernandes'. He demanded Mr Fernandes removal from the Defence Ministry.

Mr Babbu said there was no use of a dialogue between the two neighbouring countries on the Kargil issue as Pakistan seemed to be unwilling to solve the issue.

He said the morale of the people residing in the three border districts of Ferozepore, Amritsar and Gurdaspur was high. He said PYC activists would extend every possible help to the border residents in case of a war between the two countries.

Others who spoke included state general secretaries Harvinder Singh Sidhu and Sukhdev Singh Randhawa.

Activists raised anti-Pakistan and anti-Nawaz Sharif slogans on the occasion.

Homage paid to martyrs
From Our Correspondent

AMRITSAR, June 21 — The local unit of the CPI today paid homage to the Army jawans who had sacrificed their lives in the Kargil sector.

Addressing residents at Putlighar here today, the CPI leader, Mr Satya Pal Dang, said the country was proud of valiant soldiers who had been fighting to flush out Pakistani-backed infiltrators from the Kargil sector.

While criticising the district administration, he said the administration had failed to prevent the large scale migration of villagers from the border areas.

The state secretary of the CPI, Dr Joginder Dyal, also addressed the gathering.

Ex-servicemen offer their services
From Our Correspondent

FEROZEPORE, June 21 — Hundreds of ex-servicemen of Punjab led by 85 year-old-Maj Gen Ram Singh (retd), Padma Shri, have offered their services in any capacity to defend the nation as required.

According to an official information received here today, the General stated this to the Vajra Corps Commander, Lt Gen Kamal Daver, who thanked them profusely and said the Indian Army would keep up the traditions set by gallant soldiers in previous wars.

General Davar said the blessings and good wishes of the ex-servicemen and people of Punjab would encourage the soldiers.

Many voluntary organisations have also reportedly by approached the Army to offer blood for the jawans in Kargil, according to the information.

SGPC to honour Kargil martyrs
From Our Correspondent

PHAGWARA, June 21 — The SGPC President, Bibi Jagir Kaur, told a congregation at the local Model Town gurdwara yesterday that the SGPC would honour Kargil martyrs. She was speaking at a kirtan darbar organised by the Kalgidhar Naujawan Sabha in memory of the Kargil martyrs and to pray for the soldiers fighting Pak-backed intruders.

Later, talking to newspersons at the residence of Mr Jarnail Singh Wahad, senior Akali leader, she accused her predecessor Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, of encouraging apostasy among the younger generations since he had sidelined the spread of religion.

AISSF dissolved, to be recast

JALANDHAR, June 21 (UNI) — All-India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF) President, Harminder Singh Gill yesterday announced the dissolution of the party organisation and its wings at home and abroad with a view to making it more efficient by weeding out elements who had been inactive or trying to undermine its strength from within for their personal and vested interests.

A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting attended by several senior leaders of the AISSF held here under the presidentship of Mr Gill, who was authorised to reorganise the new set-up.

Mr Gill said he would reconstitute the AISSF in about a fortnight and all those federation activists who acquitted well in expanding and strengthening the AISSF in the past two years would be given place of honour in the organisation.

Meanwhile, Mr Gill charged the ruling Akali Dal (Badal) with trying to marginalise the AISSF led by him under a calculated conspiracy because of having stood by former Akal Takht Jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh and former SGPC President Gurcharan Singh Tohra.

He charged the Badal government with having falsely implicated a few federation activists in murder cases and set up some people to malign him and undermine the AISSF.

The meeting expressed full faith and confidence in the leadership of Mr Gill.

Punjabi university entrance tests
Tribune News Service

PATIALA, June 21 — The Punjabi University will hold entrance test for admission to LL.B. course on the university campus (morning shift) and at regional Centre, Bathinda.

According to Dr B.S. Bhatia, Dean academic Affairs of the university, it had been decided that entrance tests for admission to post-graduate courses would be held only in those courses in which the number of applications was more than one and half times of the total number of seats in the last academic session.

Dr Bhatia said the light of the above decision there would be no entrance test for M.Sc. astronomy and Space Science, LL.B. (evening shift at Patiala), M.A. Theatre and Television, M.A. Philosophy, M.A. Sanskrit, M.A. Punjabi, English and Economics at Regional-centre Bathinda, M.A. Linguistics, M.Sc. statistics, M.A. Persian, Urdu and Arabic and M.A. Music (instrumental). However entrance test would be held for admission to M.A. Music (vocal) course.

The recently established Punjabi university computer centre at Jaito will be inaugurated by technical Education Minister Bibi Upinderjit Kaur on June 28.

Disclosing this here today, Dean Academic Affairs Dr B.S. Bhatia said the computer centre would provide facilities for post-graduate diploma course and diploma in computer application courses. He said the university had decided to provide trained staff and install best quality infrastructural facilities at Jaitu.

Cong leader against deferring poll
From Our Correspondent

GURDASPUR, June 21 — Mr Ashwani Kumar, a member of the media committee of the AICC and a senior advocate, said here today that the elections in the country should not be postponed without justification because that would be subversive of the constitution.

Mr Ashwani Kumar said the Congress would give tickets to candidates with a clean image in the coming Lok Sabha elections.

He said the BJP should not try to derive political mileage out of the Kargil crises and instead reciprocate to the support extended to the government by the opposition parties in dealing with the situation.

Mr Ashwani Kumar criticised the SAD-BJP Government in Punjab for 'ignoring' development of the state.

Man robbed of Rs 3.17 lakh
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, June 21 — Three robbers in a Maruti van, who posed themselves as policemen, today took away Rs 3.17 lakh from an employee of a local cigarette agency.

According to information available here, Rakesh Kumar an employee of the agency, was stopped by the robbers near a tent house when he was going to deposit the amount in State Bank of India in the Cantonment area. They made him sit in the van and took him to a secluded place and looted him.

The civil lines police has registered the case.

Shopkeepers hold protest
From Our Correspondent

KAPURTHALA, June 21 — On a call of the local Beopar Mandal, shopkeepers here observed strike in protest against the alleged manhandling of a local shopkeeper by octroi contractors.

They also alleged that the contractors tried to misbehave with them at nakas held by them on roadsides.

BKU blocks traffic, holds rally
Tribune News Service

BATHINDA, June 21 — Hundreds of activists of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta) today blocked traffic on the Bathinda-Mansa road for few minutes and then held a rally in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office in protest against the attachment of their properties by the Punjab government for the recovery of loans.

Mr Jhanda Singh, President, BKU (Ekta), Bathinda said that other main demands of the farmers included the 18-hour supply of electricity for agriculture and 24-hour for domestic purpose by the Punjab State Electricity Board.

He alleged that at present the Punjab State Electricity Board was supplying electricity only for three hours a day against the eight hours as promised by the Punjab government.

Rally by patwaris
Tribune News Service

BATHINDA, June 21 — Hundreds of revenue patwaris belonging to Bathinda, Mansa, Moga, Muktsar and Faridkot districts today held a rally here in protest against the atrocities being committed on them by the Punjab government.