Thursday, May 6, 1999

Dara Singh told to appear before panel
BHUBANESWAR, May 5 — The Justice D.P. Wadhwa Commission probing the gruesome killings of Australian missionary Graham Stewart Staines and his two sons has directed Rabinda Kumar Pal, alias Dara Singh, accused in the case, to appear before it either in person or through some authorised representatives.

Admission cards for exam sent
NEW DELHI, May 5 — The Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 1999, is scheduled to be conducted by the Union Public Service Commission on Sunday, May 30. More than 3,09,000 applications were received for the examination and all applications have since been processed.

Goa Assembly election in June
Tribune News Service

NEW DELHI, May 5 — Elections to the 40-member Goa State Assembly will be held next month with polling on June 4, the Election Commission announced here today.

As per the schedule, the last date for the filing of nominations will be May 17, scrutiny on May 18, withdrawal of candidature on May 20 and counting on June 6.

The notification for the election will be issued on May 10 and the entire process will be completed by June 10. With the announcement of the schedule, the Model Code of Conduct for political parties and candidates will come into force immediately.

For the first time the EC has decided to use the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) in the entire State. "This is for the first time that in any State Assembly the entire election process of balloting and counting will be done exclusively using EVMs", the EC said in a statement announcing the poll schedule.

The Goa Assembly was dissolved on February 10, this year and the State put under President’s rule. Both Houses of Parliament approved the measure and under the Constitutional provisions, a new Assembly has to meet before August 9.

The EC in a detailed press note, said the Chief Election Commissioner, Dr M.S. Gill had visited Goa for two days from March 20 and held detailed discussions with the State Governor, representatives of political parties, members of public, key officials and election machinery in connection with preparations for fresh elections.

The EC said immediately after the dissolution all major political parties had asked for early polls and that the view was also stated in Parliament when the Presidential proclamation was approved.

"During consultations with political parties on May 3, there was unanimity among party representatives to hold elections to Goa Assembly immediately,’’ the press note said.

Plot to kill Advani: 180 charge-sheeted

COIMBATORE, May 5 (PTI) — As many as 180 persons, including president of the banned fundamentalist outfit, Al-Umma S.A. Basha, have been charge-sheeted for conspiring to kill Home Minister L.K. Advani at an election rally here by a suicide squad on February 14 last year and triggering serial bomb blasts that rocked the city claiming 58 lives.

Those charge-sheeted included Abdul Nazer Mahdani, president of the People’s Democratic Party.

The charge-sheet, filed by a special investigation team of crime branch CID (SIT-CBCID), in a Judicial Magistrate court here today said seven members of the suicide squad armed with "instantaneous-type small box bombs" tied to their waists and "throw-type small box bombs" were deployed to target Mr Advani during the election meeting to be addressed by him that day.

Referring to the serial blasts that rocked the city from February 14 to 17, 1998, the charge-sheet filed after a marathon investigation lasting over 14 months, said the explosions were targeted primarily at Hindu congregations and Hindu establishments as also at Mr Advani in retaliation to the killing of 18 Muslims in communal riots and police firing following the murder of traffic police constable Selvaraj.

In all, there were 19 bomb explosions during the period claiming lives of 58 persons and injuring 250 others.

The IGP, Mr Paramvir Singh, said these evidences would corroborate and strengthen the charges against the accused. He said 1414 sets of documents had been cited in the charge-sheet, each set containing several documents running into thousands of pages, including the incriminating documents seized by the Vijayawada police.

Saying that this was a bigger conspiracy than the Rajiv Gandhi assassination, the IG said it was only one incident, whereas Coimbatore witnessed 19 explosions killing 58 persons and injuring 250 and totally having 43 cases.

Replying to a question on demand for a CBI probe by various quarters, he said "This is not less than any CBI investigation. We have done the investigation speedily. Even an accused wanted in connection with a blast case at Chennai, which was handed over to the CBI, was arrested by the SIT", he said.

Samata to carve out new front
Tribune News Service

NEW DELHI, May 5 — The National executive of the Samata Party today cleared a proposal for carving out a new political formation consisting of like-minded parties and individuals committed to the socialist ideology.

Addressing newspersons, the Samata Party spokesman, Mr Digvijay Singh, said the combination would consist of the Biju Janata Dal, Lok Shakti, Indian National Lok Dal, Janata Dal and individuals like the former Prime Minister, Mr Chandra Shekhar and the Union Minister, Mrs Maneka Gandhi.

Mr Digvijay Singh said the executive also proposed that the BJP and its allies should be given a new nomenclature since they would be contesting the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections on a common manifesto.

He said the meeting welcomed the Election Commission's decision to hold elections in September and added that the Vajpayee government would now get more time to fulfil the commitment made to the electorate. Some more good work would be done in the coming months, he said.

DMK to rope in AIADMK allies

CHENNAI, May 5 (PTI) — The dissolution of the 12th Lok Sabha, caused by the AIADMK’s withdrawal of support to the BJP-led government on April 14, has triggered a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu, with the ruling DMK all set to rope in erstwhile allies of the AIADMK.

Stealing a march over its arch-rival in formulating its electoral alliance strategy, the DMK has converted bitter foes into friends and forces that appeared “untouchable” ceased to be so overnight.

DMK President M. Karunanidhi, who warmed up to the BJP by asking his six MPs in the dissolved House to vote in favour of the confidence motion moved by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, has managed to net concrete offers from the BJP and three of its allies — the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) and the Tamizhaga Rajiv Congress (TRC).

It is now only a matter of time before a formal announcement on the DMK-BJP front is made.

There is no sign of political activity in the AIADMK camp. Left with the Janata Party as its lone ally, the AIADMK may not have any cause for complaint about its former partners latching on to the DMK bandwagon, as its leader, Ms Jayalalitha had “disbanded” the front long ago after the TRC, the the PMK and MDMK affirmed their support to Mr Vajpayee.

The AIADMK, which normally completes the identification of its poll partners well in advance, was taken by surprise by the speed with which developments in the DMK front took place.

Much to its chagrin, even the PMK, for which it had left its doors ajar, walked into the DMK camp, with its founder, Dr S. Ramadoss, calling on Mr Karunanidhi on Monday to clinch a deal.

AIADMK sources said the party was waiting for a nod from the Congress to initiate an alliance dialogue. It was also hopeful of landing the Left parties and the Janata Dal in its front.

A highlight of the realignment is TRC President and Union Minister Vazhapadi K. Ramamurthy shedding years of hostility towards the DMK chief. “Let us forget it as a bad dream,” he said of his long history of diatribe against Mr Karunanidhi.

If MDMK general secretary Vaiko, too, follows suit and returns to the DMK’s company, it would be the story of a forgiven prodigal, as he had walked out of the DMK in 1993 in protest against Mr Karunanidhi’s “dynastic politics”.

The Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) is placed in an awkward situation as its ally, the DMK, has slammed the doors on it by striking a deal with the BJP.

Founded on an anti-AIADMK platform, the TMC is faced with a Hobson’s choice: either joining a front in which the AIADMK and the Congress are the main partners or forming a weak third front with parties left out by other camps.

TMC President G.K. Moopanar is now camping in New Delhi for forging an alliance with the Congress, from which he broke away in 1996 to protest against the Narasimha Rao dispensation’s decision to clinch an alliance with the AIADMK. How it ducks the crossfire between what he viewed as “communal BJP” and “corrupt AIADMK” remains to be seen.

His vague remarks at a public meeting — “If Karunanidhi chose to go with his ‘brother’ (Vaiko), there is nothing wrong in ‘sisters’ (Sonia Gandhi and Jayalalitha) fighting the BJP in the state” — is seen by some as a hint that he would not be ultimately averse to tying up with the AIADMK.

Smaller parties, like the MGR-ADMK, headed by former AIADMK minister S. Thirunavukkarasu, and the MGR Kazhagam led by another former minister R.M. Veerappan, have indicated their keenness to join the DMK-BJP combine.

BSP says no to alliance in UP

LUCKNOW, May 5 (PTI) — The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) today said it would not enter into an electoral alliance with any party in Uttar Pradesh for the Lok Sabha polls.

“The BSP will put up candidates on all 85 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh”, party vice-president Mayawati told reporters here.

Stating that the Congress had been hinting at an alliance with the BSP in the elections “without talking to us”, she said “there is no question of any alliance with any party in Uttar Pradesh.”

When asked about the possibility of forging an alliance in states other than Uttar Pradesh, she said her party would take a decision in this regard after ascertaining the views of the respective state party leaders.

“The decision in this regard will be taken keeping in view our strength and preparations”, she said.

On being asked about the postpoll alliance, Mr Mayawati said the issue would be decided after declaration of the results of the Lok Sabha elections.

Predicting a hung Lok Sabha after the September-October mid-term polls, she said such a parliament would be in the “interest of the BSP”.

“The BSP would favour a hung Lok Sabha as it would increase our bargaining power”, she said.

Dara Singh told to appear before panel

BHUBANESWAR, May 5 (UNI) — The Justice D.P. Wadhwa Commission probing the gruesome killings of Australian missionary Graham Stewart Staines and his two sons has directed Rabinda Kumar Pal, alias Dara Singh, accused in the case, to appear before it either in person or through some authorised representatives.

The one-man commission which commenced its hearing here yesterday, issued the notice to Dara Singh on his home address in Uttar Pradesh and also Keonjhar district in Orissa, a copy of which was also published in the local language and national dailies.

Dara Singh has been named as the prime accused in the murder of Staines and his two minor sons at Manoharpur village in Keonjhar district on January 22. Staines and his sons were burnt to death by a mob while they were asleep inside their vehicle.

Ever since the barbaric incident, Dara Singh had gone underground and the police were still clueless about his whereabouts although they believed he had been sighted moving inside the dense forest of Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar districts of Orissa.

The Orissa Government had initially announced a cash reward of Rs 25,000 to anyone who could provide clues leading to the arrest of Dara Singh which was later enhanced to Rs 1,00,000. But after the case, initially handled by the state crime branch police, was handed over to the CBI, the latter announced a cash reward of Rs 5,00,000 to anyone providing information leading to the arrest of Dara Singh.

While a copy of the notice was issued to Dara Singh in Kokra village under Dibyapur police station in Uttar Pradesh, another copy was sent to Maliposi village under Patna police station in Orissa’s Keonjhar district.

Family help must for child abuse victims

NEW DELHI, May 5 (UNI) — A strong family support system is needed to help victims of child abuse overcome the pain and the trauma.

Noted psychiatrist Sanjay Chugh, speaking at a recent seminar on child abuse, said quite often the victim was left alone. The net result was that the burden of shame and embarrassment gets locked within turning them into mental wrecks. They fail to overcome the sense of insecurity even years after the incident.

He said the victims were traumatised more by the behaviour of the family than the memory of the incident itself. Thus, proper understanding and support from the family members were essential for their proper rehabilitation.

The seminar included the screening of a 12-minute short film, “Ek Naya Savera” exploring the realm of child abuse, specifically, sexual abuse and rehabilitation of such victims. The film was screened by the Association for Development, an NGO which works with CRY and the Delhi Police.

Two case studies were shown in the film. One was about a 14-year-old Meena, who was raped by her father for one whole year with her mother as a mute spectator. Meena finally decided to confide in a neighbour and bring her nightmare to an end. Later, she married a man from the same locality, but her traumatic past continued to haunt her even though two years had passed.

The second case study was about five-year-old Seema, who was lured by a neighbourhood boy into an isolated place and raped. She was found in an unconscious state later by her father.

Participating in the discussion, Mr Udaya Sahay, DCP, West Delhi, said in six out of every 10 cases of rape, the victims were children below the age of six and in 67 per cent of these cases the perpetrator was a known person. Out of this 8 per cent were either fathers, uncles or close relatives and 59 per cent, neighbours.

The greatest difficulty in minor rape cases was that 60 to 70 per cent of these cases were never reported because of the stigma that gets permanently attached with the victim. “The parents of the victim often say.” “Jo hona tha woh ho gaya. Report kar ke kaya phayda” Mr Pradeep Bhardwaj, DCP, South-West Delhi, said.

Admission cards for exam sent
Tribune News Service

NEW DELHI, May 5 — The Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 1999, is scheduled to be conducted by the Union Public Service Commission on Sunday, May 30. More than 3,09,000 applications were received for the examination and all applications have since been processed.

Candidates who were found ineligible for the examination, or whose applications were deficient in terms of the commission’s notice for the examination, have already been intimated about the rejection of their applications. Admission certificates have been sent to all other candidates, an official release said.

If a candidate does not receive either a rejection letter or an admission certificate by May 7, he should immediately get in touch with the Facilitation Centre of the commission either personally or on telephone No. 3385271 or 3383991 (Extension 4560) or write to the Under Secretary (CSP), UPSC, the release added.

Bandh affects life
GUWAHATI: Life was affected in different areas of the Bodoland Autonomous Council (BAC) following an eight-hour bandh called by the All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) and the Bodo Peoples Action Committee (BPAC) from 6 am on Wednesday, official reports said. While private vehicles were off the roads, shops and business establishments remained closed and attendance in government offices was thin. The bandh affected parts of Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, Barpeta, Nalbari and Darrang districts. — UNI

Tipu coinage on display
HYDERABAD: Several fascinating coins and more than 150 illustrations from museums and private collections around the world are on display at an exhibition showcasing the scientific and military innovations of Tipu Sultan. The exhibition, “Tipu Sultan (1750-1799), the Tiger of Mysore”, which began on Tuesday at the Science Centre, also depicts the multifaceted personality of the 18th century ruler. The items on display include Tipu’s scientific innovations in the calendar, his army, use of rockets in battles against the British and his coinage. — UNI

Freedom fighter dead
MUZAFFARNAGAR: Veteran freedom fighter Omdeo Shastri died here on Wednesday after a protracted illness. Shastri, 80, had served as a trade union leader of sugar mills. — PTI

2 die, 5 hurt in train mishap
PATNA: Two persons were killed and five injured when 388 down Buxer-Patna city shuttle dashed against an electric pole at Gandhi halt near Sadisopur railway station under Eastern Railway, near here on Wednesday, Inspector General of Police (Railways) Ashish Ranjan said. The electric pole had been bent by strong gales on Tuesday night and hit seven persons travelling atop the train, Eastern Railway sources said. — PTI

Scribe dies of heart attack
NAGPUR: City journalist, Siddhartha Sontakke, died on Tuesday following a massive cardiac arrest in a private hospital here. Sontakke, 42, complained of chest pain in the morning and was immediately rushed to the hospital where he breathed his last. He was the correspondent of Maharashtra Times here for past two years. Earlier, he worked with Marathi daily Lokmat and was the Executive Editor of evening daily Khabar. — PTI

6 killed in collision
KANPUR: Six persons were killed and an equal number injured in a collision between a car and a bus near Mehtoli in Kanpur Dehat district of Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday night. According to the police and hospital sources here, the ill-fated car was carrying members of a marriage party when the mishap occurred. — UNI

Registration envelope issued
NEW DELHI: The Department of Posts has issued a registration envelope with the new Ashoka Pillar design in the denomination of Rs 15.50. The envelope is available at all circle stamp depots and philatelic bureaux. — UNI