Border villagers’ morale ‘high’
FAZILKA, June 22 — Dr Mohinder Rinwa, Secretary, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, and a former MLA Fazilka, after visiting about a dozen border area villages in Fazilka sector said the morale of the villagers was quite high though they were sore over the indifferent attitude of the government.

One dead, six Army men hurt in mine blast
BATHINDA, June 22 — An Army personnel was killed and six were injured in a mine blast at the local military station last night.

Punjab MLA hurt in accident

Freedom fighter Bhalla dead

Absence during strike period condoned

Big shake-up in Punjab PR dept

Pro-Tohra MLAs demand cheques

Tohra wants national govt
by Sarbjit Singh
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, June 22 — While supporting the demand for calling a special session of the Rajya Sabha to discuss the Kargil conflict, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, a member of the Rajya Sabha and President of the All-India Shiromani Akali Dal, said here today that a National Government should replace the BJP-led Government at the Centre to handle the Kargil issue.

Mr Tohra said that though the conflict at the moment was confined to the Kargil hills, but the situation could go beyond this point. The national government having representatives of all political parties in its fold would be able to handle the situation better on the country's borders.

"I fully support the Idea of a national government to deal with the current situation on the border", Mr Tohra said.

Urging the government to call a session of the Rajya Sabha immediately, Mr Tohra said the BJP-led Government at the Centre was not taking other Opposition parties into its confidence with regard to the situation and its handling in the Kargil sector.

It was unfortunate that leaders of political parties had to depend on what was fed by the government to the media. "Otherwise we knew nothing about the latest situation in the Kargil sector and what all we know is that has come to us through the media reports," Mr Tohra observed.

When the Lok Sabha was not in place, it would be a sensible decision to call a session of the Rajya Sabha to share relevant information with the countrymen through their representatives in the Upper House and to take them into confidence by discussing the situation at a proper platform. It was not wise on the part of the BJP-led Government to ignore leaders of other parties at this critical juncture. He said although leaders of the regional parties have an important role to play at the national level, but the BJP had not thought it fit to take them into its confidence for formulating a strategy on Kargil.

While politicians commit blunders with regard to handling issues with regard to the country's boundaries our army jawans had to remove such blunders with their blood after every five or 10 years. In other words jawans had to make the supreme sacrifice to wipe out the blunders by politicians while handing issues pertaining to Kashmir and other border areas.

Since Independence a lot of such blunders had been committed by rulers in Delhi. Quoting instances, Mr Tohra said had the Army been allowed a free hand in 1948 and afterwards there would not have been the Kashmir issue.

The Akali leader said though it was not the time to talk about such things, all countrymen should back up the Army but it was unfortunate that the failure of the Central Government in recent months had made the country and its jawans pay a heavy price on the Kargil issue.

Bhatia favours closer ties among India, China, Russia
From Our Correspondent

AMRITSAR, June 22 — The former Minister of State for External Affairs, Mr R.L. Bhatia, today favoured closer cooperation between Russia, China and India in the context of fast changing world political scenario. Mr Bhatia, who was talking to reporters here said that with era of cold war having been over with the disintegration of the former USSR and with the weakening of non-alignment movement, America and its allies in Europe were actively getting involved in various conflicts including Iraq and recently in Yugoslavia thus upsetting power balance in the world.

Forging of friendly ties among the Asian nations of India, China and Russia, world help restore balance and keep the region free of any kind of tension. Giving details of how the Congress party way back in 1988 had managed a thaw in Indo-Chinese relations through his personal initiative and paved the way for a fruitful visit of the then Prime Minister late Mr Rajiv Gandhi.

Mr Bhatia pointed out the visit helped to a great extent, defuse mutual distrust and tension on northern borders and various confidence building measures were adopted to bolster ties between the two neighbours. In the present Kargil intrusion by Pakistani Army-backed intruders, the visit of Pakistani Foreign Minister, Mr Sartaz Aziz did not achieve the desired results and the subsequent visit by the Indian Foreign Minister, Mr Jaswant Singh had managed to put forward Indian stand on incursions. The Indian view point was accepted by the Chinese leadership which favoured bilateral talks to resolve the Kashmir issue with Pakistan. It was a victory for India and felt that interaction with the Chinese government was very important.

Answering questions about the Kargil incursions, the former Foreign Minister felt that after the nuclear tests Pakistan last year, had become bolder to once again try to sent infiltrators in Jammu and Kashmir and also in its bid to internationalise the issue.

The statement issued by G-8 Nations on Kargil had isolated Pakistan and the Indian stand was also vindicated by the statement made by Germany, he added.

Mr Bhatia claimed that Pakistan was today fully exposed in its bid to send army and its involvement to send trained intruders. The building of three-storeyed fortified bunkers, helipads in the Pakistan occupied Kashmir, heavy artillery shelling and usage of stinger missiles show careful planning done by Pakistan forces.

He said that Indians were united in their resolve to clear Kashmir of intruders and were behind the brave Indian soldiers fighting to defend country’s frontiers.

2 cops, editor booked for abetting suicide
From Our Correspondent

ABOHAR, June 22 — Two officers of the Punjab Police and an Editor of a local daily were among the nine persons booked by the GRP u/s 306 of the IPC allegedly for forcing a married woman to commit suicide.

The GRP earlier raided the residence of Mrs Saroj Rani (45) and recovered a suicidal note which ran in to 11 pages of a diary. She allegedly had committed suicide by jumping before Howrah-bound Udyan Abha Toofan Mail on the Abohar-Sriganganagar section of railway. The GRP had found bus tickets from her purse and another paper which identified her and gave a hint about the note written by her before deciding to commit suicide. Body had been handed over to her husband a retired Army personnel, and two married sons. They had blamed the local police and few other persons for the tragedy.

The city police had initiated an inquiry on the basis of an affidavit reportedly given by Mrs Paramjit Kaur alias Pummy in April this year. She had reportedly stated that she was jailed for smuggling. In her absence Mrs Saroj Rani w/o Mr Shanti Lal Bajaj allegedly exploited her minor school going daughter as she was facing financial crisis. The minor Dalit girl was allegedly asked to accompany four persons, three of them married, who promised her a good job and assured that they would get her mother released at the earliest.

The police has registered a case against six persons under Sections 376,363, 120-B and 34 of the IPC on the basis of statement reportedly given by the minor girl. She was quoted by the police having stated that Mrs Saroj Bajaj had been visiting her residence to collect instalments of "committees financial scheme" when her mother "Pummy" had not been jailed. Mrs Bajaj reportedly continued her visits even after the arrest of her mother and expressed sympathies. The victim said she was invited by Mrs Bajaj and introduced to four persons who took her away to a business premises on the pretext of discussions regarding her appointment and other plans.

Later she was escorted to her residence by one of the culprits but he allegedly started blackmailing her. She was allegedly raped many a times after that also.

The victim said she was also introduced to a young farmer of village Pucci who promised to send her along with mother to a foreign country so that they could begin a new life. He, too, allegedly raped her several times. The police had stated that more persons had also been visiting Mrs Saroj Bajaj's residence and were allegedly responsible for moral turpitude but these persons would be paraded before the girl shortly to establish their identity.

The city police registered the case last week but avoided arresting any person though they had been moving freely and kept on visiting local newspaper offices also. In the meanwhile Mrs Saroj Bajaj boarded a bus for Sriganganagar to get some relief from tension and fear of arrest but after few hours it was learnt that her body was found on the rail track. Her husband had refuted all allegations and said that the police and few others were hand in gloves with Paramjit Kaur, who had been even earlier booked for poppy husk dealings, to harass and ‘blackmail’ his wife Saroj. Her only fault was that she reportedly run some money schemes. She had been allegedly receiving telephone calls from local newspaper which increased tension.

The GRP has now recorded statement of retired Army NGO Shanti Lal Bajaj also after scrutinising the 11-page note reportedly penned down by Mrs Saroj Bajaj before ‘committing’ suicide. He had held the police officer, an Editor and the complainant Pummy’s relatives for the death of his wife who according to Mr Bajaj never run any brothel. Mr Bahadur Singh Shekhawat SHO GRP said Mr Bajaj had stated that the police and the journalist had ‘extracted’ heavy amount from his wife. She was illegally detained and kept in the city police lock up to humiliate. All this prompted her to commit suicide on June 17. Quoting the deceased’s diary pages it was stated that Pummy’s daughter had approached her only to pay her school fee, she helped her. She blamed Babu Ram Sharma SHO city police, Madan Lal ASI (wireless), Rajinder Soni Editor of a local small newspaper, Paramjit Kaur alias Pummy, Navneet Kaur alias Neetu, Shunty, Pappu, Bholi and Shanti for her end of life. The last five were close relations of Pummy.

Kargil main poll plank: Yagya Dutt
Tribune News Service

BATHINDA, June 22 — Mr Yagya Dutt Sharma, former Speaker of Madhya Pradesh and AICC observer for Punjab, said here yesterday that the Congress would make aggression by Pakistan in Kargil the main poll issue in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Addressing a press conference last night he alleged that the Kargil episode had occurred not only due to failure of intelligence, but also "lack of wisdom" of the Union Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes.

He demanded that Mr Vajpayee and Mr Fernandes resign on their own. At least Mr Fernandes should be thrown out "physically" from the government, he added.

Regarding the selection of party candidates for the 13 Lok Sabha seats in the state, he said after assessing the prospects of each applicant for the party ticket, he would submit his recommendations to AICC President Sonia Gandhi by the month-end.

He made it clear that applicants who had indulged in any sort of indiscipline during his meeting with workers would not be given the party ticket. Women would be given a fair share, he emphasised.

He said though the party rank and file did not want an electoral alliance with the CPI and the CPM, the Congress high command would take a final decision in this regard.

Mr Tajinder Singh Bittu, Organising Secretary, PPCC, said the winning chances of each applicant were being assessed at meetings with workers at the grassroots level.

Lance Naik cremated with honours
From Our Correspondent

GURDASPUR, June 22 — Lance Naik Ranbir Singh (35) resident of Aalman village in the Bet area of Beas river in this district has made his village proud by sacrificing his life while fighting the Pakistani intruders in the Dras sector of Jammu and Kashmir on June 16. The deceased joined 13 J&K Rifles in 1985 and is the third soldier from the Indian Army and 2nd soldier of 13 J&K Rifles to have died fighting the intruders.

Body of the martyr was received yesterday at Tibri Cantonment and kept for the night at 26 Brigade Headquarters. Lt-Col K.S. Aulakh, contingent commander, brought the body from the Dras front along with other soldiers.

The body of the soldier was carried to his native village today morning where several thousand mourners from adjoining villages, including Bhaini Mian Khan, Chak Sharif, Kahnuwan, Tugalwal, Munnan Khurd, Purana Shalla, and Saidowal accompanied the body to the cremation ground. The mourners included Mr Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Minister of State for Public Relations and several district and Army officials.

The martyr was cremated with military honours. Large contingent of Army saluted the body, reversed arms, fired three rounds in the air and sounded the last post in the presence of large gathering who were in the cremation ground to bid tearful farewell to the departed here.

Mr Sekhwan placed a wreath on the body on behalf of the Chief Minister, Major Panwar on behalf of the commander 86 Brigade, Mr S.K. Sandhu, Deputy Commissioner, Mr Varinder Kumar, SSP and Brigadier G.S. Randhawa (retired) also placed wreaths on the body.

Mr Prabhdyal Singh, elder brother of the deceased, performed the last rites and lit the pyre.

The village of the martyr has about 100 houses whose 70 per cent of the population are Rajputs and has a member each serving in the Army and a member each who has retired from the Army. They are Rajputs.

Sardar Singh Rajput of the same village had laid down his life in the Indo-Pakistan War in 1965 while fighting the enemy.

Family members of the deceased talking to reporters said that the deceased had come on leave for one month in January this year and was posted at Calcutta. From there he was shifted to Srinagar from where talked to his wife on telephone every Sunday to inform the family about his welfare. So much so the family received a letter written by the dead soldier in his own hand on June 10 in which he had assured the members of the family that he was hale and hearty and would be with them after the battle was over.

The deceased is survived by his wife Savita Devi (30), who is pregnant, five years old daughter and aged mother Kaushalya.

Consoling the bereaved family Mr Sekhwan said that the wife of the deceased who is matriculate would be given a class III government job. Cremation ground of the village which is located at a place near Dhussi Bandh and is in bad shape will be shifted to two kanal plot provided by the Panchayat near the village. The cost of construction of the cremation ground which will be named after the martyr L/K Ranbir Singh will be borne by the government.

UNI adds: Deputy Commissioner S.K. Sandhu said that matriculate Savita Rani would be given class three job besides Rs two lakh ex-gratia and Rs five lakh for a residential plot as per Punjab government policy for Kargil martyrs.

Jawan Pawan Kumar cremated
From Our Correspondent

HOSHIARPUR, June 22 — Mortal remains of Mr Pawan Kumar, a jawan of 13 J and K Rifle who laid down his life while flushing out Pakistani intruders in the Kargil sector on June 18, were consigned to flames with full military honour at his native Nangal Bihala village, 55 km from here, today.

Thousands of villagers of the adjoining villages gave farewell to their hero. A contingent of the Army reversed arms and fired shots in the air as a mark of respect to the great martyr.

Mr Parveen Singh, elder brother of Mr Pawan Kumar, lit the pyre.

Earlier, Mr Iqbal Singh Sidhu, Deputy Commissioner, Hoshiarpur, on the behalf of the Punjab Government Col U.S. Assi, on the behalf of Lt-Gen K.Daver, Core Commander, Col R.P. Preja, on the behalf of Brig Surjit Singh, Sub Area Commander, Jalandhar, laid wreaths on the body.

CM mourns freedom fighter's death
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, June 22 — The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, and the Public Relations Minister, Mr Sewa Singh Sekhwan, have expressed grief over the demise of Mr Ram Lal Bhalla, a prominent freedom fighter. Mr Bhalla had died yesterday at Amritsar.

Mr Bhalla promoted amity and brotherhood and collected funds to the tune of Rs 25 lakh for distribution among the victims of militant violence.

Border villagers’ morale ‘high’
From Our Correspondent

FAZILKA, June 22 — Dr Mohinder Rinwa, Secretary, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, and a former MLA Fazilka, after visiting about a dozen border area villages in Fazilka sector said the morale of the villagers was quite high though they were sore over the indifferent attitude of the government.

Dr Rinwa said the residents of Asafwala, Beriwala, Noorshah, Gharumi, Sivana, Moradwaza, Mohammadpira, Khanpur, Mumbeki, Bakhushah, Churiwala Chisti, Bareka and Mohan Sona, villages had complained about the erratic power supply and non-availability of canal water for about a fortnight, due to which the paddy plantation work was suffering.

Dr Rinwa said sarpanches like Mr Ashok Kumar of Khanpur village, Mr Hansu Singh of Mumbeki village, Mr Jagga Singh of Bakhushah, Mr Kartar Singh of Mohan Sona and Mr Shanti Swaroop, a former sarpanch of Kabul Shah Hithar village had maintained that farmers of the villages situated adjacent to the Indo-Pak border were carrying out cultivation work in a war-like situation even then no senior officer of state government had visited their villages till date to redress their grievances. He demanded that the Chief Minister of Punjab should immediately take steps to redress grievances of the residents as these people had to shift to safer places after sunset due to security reasons and could cultivate their fields only during the day.

One dead, six Army men hurt in
mine blast
Tribune News Service

BATHINDA, June 22 — An Army personnel was killed and six were injured in a mine blast at the local military station last night.

Official sources said Mr Nirmal Singh, an Army personnel, died on the spot and six were injured when an anti-tank mine exploded while the personnel were laying the same.

Official sources said all injured were admitted to the local Military Hospital. The local police had registered a case.

Lieut Col Rajan Magoon, when contacted, refused to comment. He also refused to give the names of the injured.

Mr Amarjit Singh, nephew of the deceased victim, told TNS that he belonged to Dhera Majra village in Patiala district.

Widespread protests against Pak
From Tribune Reporters

BATALA, June 22 — Activists of the Shiv Sena (Bal Thackeray) held a protest here today and raised anti-Pak slogans. An effigy of Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was burnt at Gandhi Chowk.

The procession started from Kila Mandi passed through Chakri Bazaar, Nehru Gate, Hansli Bridge, Loha Mandi and terminated at Gandhi Chowk.

HOSHIARPUR: A meeting of the Him Mittar Mandal, Hoshiarpur, was held under the presidentship of Mr Madan Lal Sharma, on Monday and condemned Pakistan for its involvement in the Kargil and Dras sectors. The mandal also express its solidarity with the families of the martyrs.

The mandal contributed Rs 5,100 to the Prime Minister Relief Fund.

SIRSA: Members of the Operation Vijay Welfare Samiti, Mandi Dabwali, organised a function at the local Gandhi Chowk where homage was paid to the martyrs. An effigy of Nawaz Sharif was also burnt as a mark of protest against the Pakistan Government.

A welfare fund was constituted to help the families of the martyrs.

PANIPAT: The Health Centre of Panipat Thermal Power Plant in collaboration with the District Red Cross Society organised a blood donation camp here on Monday. As many as 114 employees donated blood for the wounded soldiers of "Operation Vijay".

JAWALAMUKHI: Students of Sarswati Bal Bharti Public School and government employees of various departments on Tuesday burnt the effigy of Pakistan Prime Minister on the Dharamsala-Shimla road in protest against the Pakistani aggression against India in the Kargil sector.

A two-minute silence was also observed to pay homage to Capt Amol Kalia.

Gurkirat PYC vice-president
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, June 22 — The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee is likely to initiate disciplinary action against the president of the Ludhiana District Congress Committee (Urban), Mr Rakesh Panday, for his alleged statements to the press, wherein he had opposed the appointments to various posts of office-bearers of the DCC(U).

An indication to this effect was given by the vice-president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, Mr Gurcharan Singh Galib, while addressing a press conference here today. He said that the chairman of the disciplinary action committee of the state unit of the party, Mr H.S. Hero, had received complaints against Mr Panday and was likely to initiate action.

Answering a question about the resentment among party workers here because of large-scale appointments of office-bearers, Mr Galib denied this and said that the leaders of the party unit here stood as one.

During the press conference, Mr Galib announced the appointment of Mr Gurkirat Singh, grandson of the late Chief Minister Beant Singh, as the new vice-president of the Punjab Youth Congress.

Villagers demand spurs’ construction
From Our Correspondent

GURDASPUR, June 22 — Residents of Fattu Kulla and Ramala villages in the Bet area of Beas in this district demanded the construction of three spurs at Fattu Kulla and one spur and series of studs at Ramala when the flood control committee headed by Mr S.K. Sandhu , Deputy Commissioner, inspected the flood protection measures in the area today. As much as 700 acres of fertile land of Fattu Kulla and 10 tubewells have been washed away due to erosion of land caused by the flow of the Beas.

According to official sources, a big spur was constructed at Ramala to stop the land from getting eroded. Flood protection measures for it were sanctioned but work could not be undertaken due to the non-availability of funds.

Meanwhile, 108-km length of drains out of the total 127-km sanctioned for desilting has been cleared so far. The remaining length of the drains is being desilted and work was likely to be completed before June 30.

Flood protection measures, including desilting of drains, have saved 20,000 acres of fertile land from waterlogging. Paddy cultivation was in progress in the area. The drains which have been desilted included those at Kot Khar Mohammal, Kojkichack, Noorshah, Bhattian, Ghukla, Kotli Harchandan, Kahnuwan Swamp, Kalichpur and Beri link drain. Official sources said these drains would provide a big financial boost to the farmers whose lands had been reclaimed from waterlogging.

Mr Lehna Singh of Kotli Sainian village while talking to this correspondent said it becomes very difficult for the farmers whose land gets waterlogged to pay land revenue. Now that their lands had been reclaimed it would boost the financial status of farmers.

Punjab MLA hurt in accident
Tribune News Service

ROPAR, June 22 — Mr Vir Singh Lopoke, MLA, from Raja Sansi in Amritsar district, his driver and gunman were injured here yesterday when the Tata Sumo, bound for Amritsar in which the MLA was travelling, and a Chandigarh-bound CTU bus met with an accident.

According to information received, the MLA got a fracture in his arm while the driver and the gunman received mild injuries.

Dr Rajinder Singh, Civil Surgeon, said all three were out of danger. They had been given treatment in the local civil hospital. After getting initial treatment, they continued on their journey.

Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, Punjab Food and Civil Supplies Minister, and Dr Rattan Singh, Punjab Animal Husbandry Minister, visited the hospital inquired about the health of the MLA and the other injured persons.

Big shake-up in Punjab PR dept
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, June 22 — The Punjab Government today ordered a major shake-up in the Punjab Public Relations department. Apart from transferring one Additional Director and a Joint Director with post to field from Chandigarh, a Deputy Director and 10 District Public Relations officers were also transferred.

Mr J.S. Chahaun, Additional Director, has been shifted from Chandigarh to Bathinda. He has been made in charge of Bathinda, Moga and Faridkot districts for media management. Mr B.I.S. Chahal, a Joint Director, has been shifted to Ferozepore from here and Mr Sat Narain, Joint Director, has been posted in Delhi. Mr Bhin Sen, a Deputy Director, has been sent to Jalandhar.

Mr Manohar Singh has been transferred to Muktsar as DPRO and Mr Baldev Singh Sandhu has been shifted to Delhi and attached with the Office of the Joint Director (Press), Chief Minister’s Office. Mr Gurmit Singh has been posted as DPRO at Fatehgarh Sahib, Mr Darshan Singh as DPRO, Jalandhar; Mr Narinder Singh as DPRO, Faridkot; Mr Gian Singh as DPRO, Anandpur Sahib; Mr Surjit Singh Dukhi as DPRO, Sangrur; Mr Gopal Singh Dardi as DPRO Ferozepore; Mr R.K. Bhalla as DPRO, Ropar; and Mr P.S. Kalra as DPRO, Ludhiana.

Mr Ishwinder Singh Grewal, Mr Randip Singh Walia and Mr Krishan Lal Rattu, who are under training, has been attached to the office of the DPROs at Jalandhar, Gurdaspur and Ludhiana, respectively.

Freedom fighter Bhalla dead

AMRITSAR, June 22 (UNI) — Veteran freedom fighter Ram Lal Bhalla died here this morning.

Born on October 11, 1894 at Lahore, Mr Bhalla, who spent more than 14 years in jail during British rule, is survived by four sons and one daughter.

His two sons and two wives were killed in the 1947 riots.

He was first honoured by the Punjab Government on January 26, 1952. Late Prime Minister Mrs Indira Gandhi honoured him with "Tamar Patra" on August 15, 1972 for his service to the nation.

Mr Bhalla who was often seen by the Amritsarias, beating the drum to collect the money for the terrorist victims, was a familiar figure of the city.

He was cremated at Shiv Puri near Durgiana mandir this evening.

A large number of political, social and religious leaders were present on the occasion.

Pro-Tohra MLAs demand cheques
Tribune News Service

PATIALA, June 22 — Legislators aligned with former SGPC chief Gurcharan Singh Tohra today contested various points on virtually all issues raised at a meeting of the District Planning Board, besides demanding cheques for various developmental activities.

Legislators Surjit Singh Kohli, Gurdev Singh Sidhu and Harmail Singh Tohra repeatedly interrupted the proceedings.

However, Planning Board Chairperson and Technical Education Minister Upinderjit Kaur pacified the legislators and it was decided that the chairperson herself would distribute the cheques among the legislators.

A sum of Rs 18 crore was released for development work at the meeting.

Absence during strike period condoned
From Our Correspondent

JALANDHAR, June 22 — The Punjab Government has decided to condone the absence of teachers during their strike in August-September last year on a call by the AIFUCTO.

According to Dr V.K. Tewari, general secretary, and Prof Sukhpal Singh Sanghera, vice-president, Punjab and Chandigarh College teachers Union (PCCTU), this had been conveyed by Mr Amarjit Singh, Special Secretary, Department of Higher Education, to the DPI (Colleges), in a letter.

Dr Tewari and Prof Sanghera said here today that they had met the Special Secretary yesterday in Chandigarh regarding the matter. Earlier, the Deputy controller (Finance and Audit), in a letter to non-government colleges about claims of 1998-99, had asked for an "on duty" certificate from the principals. This had, caused widespread resentment among the teachers as it would have meant a pay cut for 26 days.