Tibetans flay Chinese move on Dalai Lama
DHARAMSALA, June 24 — With China challenging the very authority of the Dalai Lama in selecting his successor, the tussle between the Tibetan government-in-exile and the Chinese authorities is likely to intensify in the coming days.


2 Kangra soldiers killed in Kargil
DHARAMSALA, June 24 — Lance Naik Bir Singh and rifleman Ashok Kumar of the Jwali area in the district, were killed while fighting the infiltrators, in the Kargil area.

Sat Mahajan flays govt policy
NURPUR, June 24 — Mr Sat Mahajan, the PCC chief, while addressing a press conference here yesterday alleged that the inexperience in framing policies and short sightedness of Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal's government, had ruined thousands of private bus operators.

Blindfolded mobile ride by magician
SHIMLA, June 24 — Magician H.G. Ley will perform blindfolded mobile riding here on Saturday to pay homage to Kargil martyrs.

Controversy over shrine resolved
DHARAMSALA, June 24 — The controversy over the shrine of Pir Baba Dumbe Shah in Nagrota was resolved today with the intervention of the police and the civil authorities.

Water shortage in Hamirpur
HAMIRPUR, June 24 — The town is in the grip of an acute water shortage these days in spite of the pre-monsoon showers yesterday.

Vidya Upasak test from June 27
HAMIRPUR, June 24 — The HP Subordinate Services Selection Board will conduct examinations for the posts of "Vidya Upasak" districtwise The board has received 1,60,000 applications for the posts of Vidya Upasak to be filled in various parts of the state.

Tibetans flay Chinese move on Dalai Lama
Tribune News Service

DHARAMSALA, June 24 — With China challenging the very authority of the Dalai Lama in selecting his successor, the tussle between the Tibetan government-in-exile and the Chinese authorities is likely to intensify in the coming days.

In its latest move China has begun the hunt for the next Dalai Lama in consultation with Tibetan experts, as if fears that the present 14th Dalai Lama, who has been in exile for 40 years, could install a "Westerner" in his place. This is the second move by China, after enthroning a Panchen Lama, of its own choice, despite the Dalai Lama selecting another boy.

As far as the selection of the next Dalai Lama is concerned, the Tibetan authorities here strongly reacted to the Chinese allegations and said there was no question of a foreigner being selected for the high position. The deputy secretary in the department of information and international relations, Mr Thuten Samphell, said this was an attempt by the Chinese to prevent the Tibetans from selecting the Dalai Lama so that they could have a person of their own choice, who would be under their control, just like the case of the Panchen Lama.

"The Dalai Lama is not only the spiritual but also the political head of the Tibetans and his institution is deeply embedded in Tibetan psychology," he stated. The act of the selection of the Dalai Lama, by a foreign authority like China, would enrage not only the Tibetans but people of Mongolia, Tuva and other areas where the Dalai Lama had spiritual authority. People belonging to the Himalayan region, extending from Ladakh to Arunachal, would not allow the Chinese to have control over the Dalai Lama’s international constituency, he said.

Mr Samphell said China would have to face challenge from practically the entire world as the selection of the Dalai Lama, was a completely religious matter, which only the present Dalai Lama is authorised to do. "It is merely a misinformation campaign being launched by China that the Dalai Lama will select a foreigner in his place simply because he has lived in exile for over 40 years," he remarked.

He said technically an outsider could be chosen as the Dalai Lama as there had been a precedents in Tibetan history. The fourth Dalai Lama was from Mongolia, while sixth Dalai Lama was born in Arunachal Pradesh, which made him an Indian. He said only a person who had complete knowledge of the Tibetan and Buddhist set up could be chosen as Dalai Lama.

There has been sharp opposition amongst the Tibetan over the declaration by China, that the Panchen Lama, selected by them. Erdeni Losang Qamba Lhushub Qoigyijabu, had after completing his studies, taken charge of the Panchen Lama’s seat.

The secretary in the department of information and international relations, Mr Tempa Tsering, said the Chinese could physically install their own man as new Panchen Lama would continue to rule the hearts of the Tibetan people. He observed that when the Chinese themselves preached that people should give up Buddhism as it retarded development, then how could they interfere in the religious matters of the Tibetans. He added that the Tibetans would never accept the Panchen Lama, selected by the Chinese, as they would go by the word of the Dalai Lama.

2 Kangra soldiers killed in Kargil
Tribune News Service

DHARAMSALA, June 24 — Lance Naik Bir Singh and rifleman Ashok Kumar of the Jwali area in the district, were killed while fighting the infiltrators, in the Kargil area.

Bir Singh (28), of the 13 Jack Rifles, belongs to Baldoha village and is survived by his wife and a three-year-old daughter. Rifleman Ashok Kumar, also of the 13 Jack Rifles, belongs to Lohara village. The soldiers were killed in an attack by Pakistanis on June 20. The bodies of the two soldiers are likely to reach their native villages by evening and the cremation will take place tomorrow.

Dhumal refuses to inaugurate college
From Our Correspondent

JAWALAMUKHI, June 24 — Irrigation and Public Health Minister Ramesh Choudhary had received a political setback as Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal has refused to inaugurate the proposed college at Jawalamukhi on Jue 25.

The matter was discussed yesterday between the Chief Minister and the minister at the local PWD Rest House.

It may be mentioned here that the minister wanted to run the said college with the financial assistance of the Jawalamukhi Temple Trust. This had led to a strong resentment among people of the area as the offerings at the temple must be utilised for the welfare of the shrine.

It may be recalled that on his part CLP leader Virbhadra Singh had expressed the same view a few days ago.

Now supporters of the minister are feeling disappointed.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister has made it clear that the cancellation of the inauguration ceremony does not mean that the government is not in favour of opening the college at Jawalamukhi. He has said that instead of opening the college in a haphazard manner various considerations like infrastructure, adequate financial sources, etc will have to be taken into account.

Sat Mahajan flays govt policy
From Our Correspondent

NURPUR, June 24 — Mr Sat Mahajan, the PCC chief, while addressing a press conference here yesterday alleged that the inexperience in framing policies and short sightedness of Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal's government, had ruined thousands of private bus operators.

The government had failed to solve or even understand the problems of the striking operators. He lamented that the economic condition of the State was shattered and that the government had intended to collect lakhs of rupees as passenger tax from the operators overnight. He suggested the Dhumal government to formulate a viable transport policy.

The PCC chief further criticised the government, saying it had been scuttling various development projects proposed by the previous Virbhadra Singh government. He cited a number of such projects in the Nurpur Assembly Segment, including "Thora-Bhaloon" rope bridge, "Manjuhi" bridge and mini secretariat. He added that the government had done nothing to strengthen the regional horticulture research station at Jachh and the funds allocated to it were being diverted. He said the railway authorities had shifted the proposed railway crossing from Kandwal to Jandwal in Punjab despite public protests.

Plea to file FIR against Virbhadra
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, June 24 — Mr Khushi Ram Balnatah, general secretary of the state unit of Bharatiya Janata Party, has urged the Himachal Government to register an FIR with the Vigilance Department against Mr Virbhadra Singh, a former Chief Minister, in connection with the "khair wood" allotment scandal without any further delay.

Addressing a press conference here today he said there was enough evidence to prove that former Chief Minister showered undue favour to a Kala -Amb based katha unit. He also urged the government to seriously pursue the CBI enquiry into the charges against Mr Virbhadra Singh. The BJP leader accused Mr Virbhadra Singh of criminalising politics, particularly in his own constituency of Rohru, and creating a Bihar-like situation. He said the Congressmen tried to stop the Chief Minister, Mr P K Dhumal from entering Rohru town to address a rally last week at the behest of Mr Singh who held a closed door meeting of party workers at Singari rest house two days ago. The handful of Congress trouble makers were promptly removed from the scene by BJP workers who were present in strength.

Blindfolded mobile ride by magician
From Tribune Reporters

SHIMLA, June 24 — Magician H.G. Ley will perform blindfolded mobile riding here on Saturday to pay homage to Kargil martyrs.

Ley said his blindfold mobile ride would begin from the Central Telegraph Office at 10 a.m. and end there after touching the Viceregal Lodge.

The event is being held in association with the Indian Red Cross Society.

Ley said the theme of the event would be "Peace on the Line of Control".

He claimed that he had completed 15,530 km of blindfold ride in many cities to promote attitudes and ideas that would benefit society as a whole.

2 held for cheating, impersonation
Tribune News Service

DHARAMSALA, June 24 — Gajendra Singh and Kuldeep, who had been cheating people by impersonating as CBI inspectors, has been arrested.

According to the police, the two were arrested from Phagwara, and a case has been registered against them under Section 419, 420 and 480 of the IPC. They had allegedly taken Rs 35,000 from a person on the promise that they would be given job as a constable in the Delhi Police. Similarly they had taken money from two other persons, with the assurance that they will be given jobs in factories.

In a murder case of Surender Kumar, resident of Smail, the police today arrested four persons. The victim had allegedly been murdered and his body was found near Nagni, on the Sapri road. All four have been booked under Section 302 of the IPC.

Controversy over shrine resolved
Tribune News Service

DHARAMSALA, June 24 — The controversy over the shrine of Pir Baba Dumbe Shah in Nagrota was resolved today with the intervention of the police and the civil authorities.

The SSP, Mr K.C. Sadyal, disclosed that a committee, comprising of representatives from all the seven wards of Nagrota, had been constituted to look after the shrine. Instead of painting the walls of the shrine with a particular colour, it would now be multi-coloured, so that none would have objection. He, however, said that the "chadar" that the people place on the mazar, should be green coloured, and the in charge of the shrine' Ram Dass, would have to take permission for playing devotional songs on the stereo.

The DSP and SDM, Kangra, today visited Nagrota, to pacify the people, who had been enraged over the controversy.

Water shortage in Hamirpur
From Our Correspondent

HAMIRPUR, June 24 — The town is in the grip of an acute water shortage these days in spite of the pre-monsoon showers yesterday.

Most of the localities in the town were without water this morning and the housewives and office-goers were the worst affected. Today being Nirjla Ekadashi, the sweet water 'chabeels' were missing. People blamed the state government and the Department of Irrigation and Public Health for the shortage.

Meanwhile, the Department of I&PH in the district is without a head these days. The Superintending Engineer of the department has been promoted but no new offices has been posted in his place. Similarly, the Executive Engineer has also been shifted from here to Rampur Bushaihar and the new XEN has yet not joined and thus the department is without any officer to run its day to day affairs.

The Superintending Engineer of Sundernagar circles is looking after the duties of Hamirpur circle in addition to his own duties. He visits Hamirpur only once a month. The XEN Barsar has been given dual charge of Hamirpur but he visit the town for paper cook.

People want immediate posting of officers in the Department of I&PH to run its affairs smoothly and to ensure supply of drinking water to them.

Vidya Upasak test from June 27
From Our Correspondent

HAMIRPUR, June 24 — The HP Subordinate Services Selection Board will conduct examinations for the posts of "Vidya Upasak" districtwise The board has received 1,60,000 applications for the posts of Vidya Upasak to be filled in various parts of the state.

Mr Tek Chand Thakur, Secretary of the board said here yesterday that in the beginning examination for the candidates belonging to Una district would be held on June 27. The written test for the candidates of Kinnaur district would be held on July 12. He said the examinations for the posts of Statistical Assistants and Sub Inspectors (Fisheries), would be held at Hamirpur on July 4.