P R A D E S H
Thursday, March 4, 1999
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H I M A C H A L P R A D E S H |
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Thursday, March 4, 1999 |
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Dhumal 'unites' Congress
men
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6 die as truck falls into
nullah Kaul
Singh flays government for price rise 7-year
jail for rape |
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Dhumal
'unites' Congress men DHARAMSALA, March 3 — The unusual unity displayed by the Senior Congressmen of Kangra district, during the agitation against the Dhumal government, has taken all by surprise. The Congress leaders of the district, who are divided into various factions, surprisingly came together to hold protest rallies against the BJP government. What was most surprising was that the PCC chief, Mr Sat Mahajan, went to Shahpur, to address the rally organised by former minister, Mr Vijai Singh Mankotia, who has remained one of his most vociferous critic till date. Mr Mahajan, also visited Nagrota the constituency represented by Mr G. S. Bali, a die hard Virbhadra supporter. Senior leaders like Mrs Chandresh Kumari, Rajya Sabha member, Mr Vikram Katoch, Mr Mankotia and Mr Balli, who till now had been playing their own politics, specially came here with Mr Sat Mahajan, to address a press conference. The emphasis was to send a signal that Congress was united, at least in fighting its main political opponent, the BJP. Some of the leaders did not hesitate to admit that the credit for uniting the Congressmen goes to Mr Dhumal. A former MLA, Mr Vikram Katoch, who is a staunch Virbhadra loyalist was for the first time seen accompanying Mr Mahajan, and more importantly accepting his leadership. However, it remains to be seen whether it is a short lived unity or the Congressmen have actually decided to bury their differences, to get back to power. It was only a few days back that some of the Rajput leaders of Kangra district had assembled at Nurpur under the leadership of Mr Vijai Mankotia, and in an oblique reference to Mr Sat Mahajan, had opposed the move to remove Mr Virbhadra Singh from the post of CLP leader. Those who were present at the meeting included, Mr Vijai Singh Mankotia, Mr Kewal Singh Pathania, Mr Vikram Katoch and the Zila Parishad Chairperson, Ms Manbhari. These leaders had said that they would approach Sonia Gandhi against those who were trying to hatch a conspiracy against Mr Virbhadra Singh. Majority of the Rajput leaders of the district had refused to accept the leadership of Mr Sat Mahajan, who had been made the state party president by Mrs Sonia Gandhi. Even during the Baijnath byelection, the factionalism in the Congress had come to the fore, as majority of the Congress leaders from the district did not campaign with Mr Mahajan. They joined the campaigning only once Mr Virbhadra Singh came to Baijnath. In fact all Rajput leaders had been sore that they were being ignored by Mr Mahajan intentionally and this factor too had made a difference on the outcome of the election. The fact that the
Congressmen of the district came together to agitate
against the BJP regime and said that they had no
differences with each other has at least made the party
workers very happy. "It is we people who are really
happy at this development, as one would get annoyed with
us for meeting the other leader," said one of the
youth leader of the district. However, there were others
who were sceptical at the unity being displayed by the
Congressmen of the district. |
HP orders
probe into cops' brawl HAMIRPUR, March 3 — The Himachal Pradesh Government has ordered an inquiry into the police officers' brawl at the Circuit House here recently. Eight senior police officers of the state were involved in a free for all incident when they were allegedly under the influence of liquor at a time when recruitment for the police jawans from Hamirpur district was in progress. Highly placed sources told The Tribune here today that Mr N.C. Joshi, Inspector General of Police (Law and Order), visited Hamirpur town on February 28 and March 1 to hold an inquiry into the incident. He questioned a number of persons including the staff of the Circuit House, In charge Police station, Hamirpur, Mr Jagjit Kumar Gupta and Mr Madan Lal, former SP and DSP, respectively, of Hamirpur. However, Mr Madhusoodan, another DSP, was not available for inquiry as he has already left for Una on his new assignment. Two more police personnel whose evidence was also required in this episode were also not present as they were on leave since the incident. Mr Joshi left for Shimla last night from Hamirpur after first round of the assessment. He is likely to visit Hamirpur again to meet the rest of persons involved in the brawl and to record their statements. Mr Joshi may submit his report to the DG Police and the Chief Minister, Prof Prem Kumar Dhumal by this evening. Although official comments were not available about the visit of Mr Joshi yet sources say that Mr Joshi may submit a detailed report about the whole episode which may rock the Budget session of the state assembly starting from March 4. The state government has already done a face saving drive by shifting three of the four police officers involved from here to another district. Two new police officers, i.e., SP and DSP have since taken over here. One post of the DSP (Leave Reserve) has been abolished from Hamirpur. Sources say that the chief
minister, who also belongs to the Hamirpur district, has
instructed the new police set up in the district to work
with dedication to maintain the law and order. |
Rivoli
tunnel cries for repairs SHIMLA: The century-old Rivoli tunnel, which connects Lower Bazar with the bus stand near the Tibetan market here is decaying. Dirty water keeps dropping from the tunnel through the cracks. One of the four tunnels constructed during the British regime, it was meant for Indian pedestrians to reach the other side of The Mall, where their entry was prohibited. These tunnels are in a state of neglect now. The Rivoli tunnel was constructed in 1905 and is used by over 25,000 pedestrians every day. With the load of residential and commercial buildings over the tunnel increasing day by day, it is apprehended that if no immediate preventive measures are taken, the tunnel may collapse any time causing large-scale damage to life and property. No major repairs were undertaken in the past and the plaster has fallen off in the tunnel at several places. RITES, which was engaged by the Shimla Municipal Corporation to suggest remedial measures, has said that the leakage of water in the tunnel can be stopped by injecting acrylic-based cement slurry mix and strengthening the construction joints of the stone masonry and brick arch. Mrs Nisha Singh, Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation, said all major cracks in the north portal lining had to be repaired. She said the job of repairs had been assigned to the HP State Electricity Board (HPSEB). The project was likely to cost about Rs 60 lakh. The tunnel would be lit day and night and the floor coated with a fresh concrete layer to restore proper slope in the longitudinal drains. The condition of other tunnels at Dhalli, Victory Tunnel and Lakkar Bazar is equally bad. Another tunnel below the High Court has been closed with the new multi-storeyed building coming up. The Dhalli and Victory tunnels, which take a high load of vehicular traffic every day, are also decaying day by day. The rocks around the Victory tunnel have started showing signs of decay and are cracking. Seepage of water has also increased in the tunnel. The strategically important tunnel at Dhalli was constructed in 1850 by Major Briggs. Driven through solid rock, it was entirely constructed by prisoners. The tunnel was constructed mainly to provide a road link to the residence of the Commander-in-Chief of the British empire. It was later widened as
the volume of traffic on the Hindustan-Tibet highway
increased. However, driving in the tunnel is not smooth
because of potholes. Moreover, the load on the
single-lane tunnel has increased manyfolds because of the
construction of concrete buildings above. |
25 pilgrims
hurt in mishap UNA, March 3 — In yet another accident near Jawar village at a specific place for parking trucks for Baba Badbhag Singh Hola Mohalla, 25 pilgrims were injured when a truck (PUR 7895) turned turtle. The truck was carrying pilgrims from Amritsar, Ropar, Fatehgarh and Ludhiana area when the accident took place today. Darshan Singh, son of Bhag
Singh of Amritsar, was seriously injured and referred to
the PGI, Chandigarh. Most of the injured were admitted to
Amb and Una hospitals and discharged after treatment.
District officials and police officers reached the spot
to look after the injured and arranged their
transportation to different hospital. |
HP Judicial
Service result SHIMLA, March 3 — The State Public Service Commission has declared 10 candidates successful in the HP Judicial Service examination. Those recommended for
appointment are Mr Ashwani Kumar (68), Mr Aman Sood (35),
Mr Rajeev Bali (97), Mr Pawanjit Singh (241), Mr Jaswant
Singh (26), Ms Jyotsna Mandiyal (17), Mr Hans Raj (225),
Mr Piar Chand (76), Mr Barinder Thakur (96) and Mr Jia
Lal (14). |
Kaul Singh
flays government for price rise MANDI, March 3 — The General Secretary of the HPCC and former Speaker of the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha, Thakur Kaul Singh, today warned the BJP-HVC government that if it did not withdraw the hike in power tariff, the Congress party would intensify its statewide agitation. Addressing a rally of Congress activists from the Darang constituency the former Speaker regretted that the 11-month "misrule" of the BJP government had got on the nerves of the people. The common man was the victim of rising prices while the traders were thriving through profiteering and hoarding. They minted crores of rupees when onion was sold at Rs 80 a kg and edible oil at Rs 90 a kg. He branded the BJP as a "government of traders" under the rule of which the common man was being crushed. Mr Singh also lashed out at the HVC supremo Mr Sukh Ram, for not taking a tough stand against the power hike. The HVC had announced in its manifesto that it would give power to the people at 25 paise per unit. "By keeping silent Mr Sukh Ram has betrayed the people", he said. He accused the BJP government of "inefficiency and non-governance" as a result of which it had failed on all the fronts. All developmental activities had come to a virtual halt and the government was engaged in political transfers and victimisation of employees. Health and education institution had been rendered "defunct" without staff. Mandi's zonal hospital was in a bad shape and so was Sarkaghat's 100-bed hospital where there were only three doctors against 17 sanctioned. Thakur Kaul Singh cautioned the Chief Minister against adopting anti-farmers, anti-workers and anti-employees measures. He claimed that 42 per cent votes had been polled in favour of the Congress as against 38 per cent for the BJP. The government had a hair-line majority and could fall any time under its own weight. He said the Congress party would play the role of constructive opposition, but would not tolerate "anti-people" measures of the BJP-HVC government. Mr Pushap Raj Sharma, president, Mandi Municipal Committee, also addressed the rally. Earlier, Congress
activists demonstrated in the town raising slogans
against the rising prices and the hike in power tariff.
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6 die as
truck falls into nullah UNA, March 3 — Three men and three women pilgrims visiting the Baba Badbhag Singh Deva at Nehria, 44 km from here, under Amb subdivision of Una district died when a truck (GRB- 635) fell into a nullah near the Jawar truck parking area yesterday at about 3.30 p.m. According to information reaching here, the truck driver failed to negotiate a curve and the truck rolled down into the nullah. The driver of the truck is absconding. The following is the list of those who died in the accident: Mr Pritam Singh, son of Piara Singh of Vijay Nagar, Amritsar, Dharam Singh, son of Banta Singh of Saran, Amritsar district, Jaspal Singh, son of Batala, Gurdaspur district, and Nirmal Kaur, wife of Baldev Singh of Nosherar in Tarn Taran subdivision. Two bodies of women aged about 60 and 45 could not be identified. The road leading to the truck parking area is a kutcha and is maintained poorly. Last year, Rs 5 lakh was provided by a dera owner and Rs 2 lakh was provided by the PWD for this road but so far nothing has been done. According to the police, about 55 to 60 pilgrims were in the ill-fated truck. As many as 16 injured were admitted to Amb Government Hospital. Seventeen persons have been admitted in the district hospital at Una and at least 15 were provided first aid and discharged. Mr K.S.Narang, Deputy
Commissioner, Una, told this correspondent that Rs 50,000
each had been given to next of kin of the deceased and Rs
25,000 each was given to three pilgrims who were injured
seriously. The remaining injured were provided money
between Rs 1,000 and Rs 5,000 in keeping with the advice
of the doctors attending on the injured. |
7-year jail
for rape SHIMLA, March 3 — Mr Surjit Singh, Sessions Judge, Shimla, today sentenced one Geeta Ram of Kohal village in Chopal Tehsil to rigorous imprisonment for seven years and a fine of Rs 1000 for having raped a Harijan woman of the same locality. In default of payment of the fine, he was sentenced to undergo further imprisonment for one year. According to the prosecution, the accused entered the house of the woman in the absence of her husband, who had gone to Vishu fair in Shantha village on May 25. He raped her and left her house when she became unconscious. The prosecutrix thereafter informed her husband on his return from the fair, who in turn contacted the local panchayat but the accused prevailed upon them and the panchayat exonerated the accused and on the other hand imposed a fine of Rs 150 upon the prosecutrix on the plea that she had levelled a false allegation against the accused. Dissatisfied with the panchayat verdict, the matter was reported to the police after investigation the challan was filed in the court. The judge noted that the accused was an influential person and agreeing with the prosecution case convicted the accused. The prosecution case was
presented by Mr Jiwan Lal Sharma, district attorney.
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HP medical
winners honoured SHIMLA, March 3 — The Himachal Government has decided to enhance the job quota for outstanding sportspersons from one to three per cent. Announcing this at a function organised here today to honour the sportspersons who won medals at the recent National Games, Mr P.K. Dhumal, the Chief Minister, said that inservice players who bagged gold, silver and bronze medals would be given three, two and one special increments, respectively. He also announced that Shiv Chaudhary, who won a gold in boxing in the National Games, would be promoted from Sub-Inspector to Inspector in the police department and the government would give a plot to Sita Gosain, captain of the state women hockey team which bagged a silver medal. Besides, Shiv Chaudhary and Sita Gosain were also given a cash awards of Rs 51,000 and Rs 1 lakh, respectively. Mr Dhumal underlined the need to develop adequate sports infrastructure at the grassroot so that the rural youths got an opportunity to exhibit their talent. Mr Parveen Sharma, Minister for Sports and Youth Services, said that it was a matter of pride for the state that its players won six medals at the National Games. Besides Shiv Chaudhary and Sita Gosain, Skalzang Dorze, winner of silver medal in archery, Nutan, who bagged silver in judo, Azad Singh and Devinder Singh, winners of bronze in wrestling and Surjeet Singh, who excelled in volleyball, were also honoured at the function. Mr Rajesh Bhandari,
manager of the Indian boxing team for Asian Games, was
given a cash award of Rs 10,000 and Mr Jagir Singh,
assistant coach, Indian volleyball team, was also given
Rs 10,000. Mr Naresh Verma and Mr Kuldeep Sharma, coaches
of boxing and judo, respectively, were given Rs 5100
each. |
Sack of
central government sought JWALAMUKHI, March 3 — Senior Congress and former Transport Minister Kewal Singh Pathania on Monday said the BJP-led coalition government at the Centre which had offered a stable government had failed to deliver the goods. Addressing a rally of party workers at Ram Leela Grounds, Dehra, 10 km from here, Mr Pathania said the BJP-led government at the Centre and in the state had no moral authority to remain in power after the recent poll reverses in Delhi, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. He alleged that the
collapse of law and order machinery, criminalisation of
politics and complete surrender of the state's vital
interests to the private sector was on the increase in
Himachal Pradesh. |
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