Thursday, September 23, 1999
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EC posts DIG Nimbran to
Nalanda 2 killed, tension in Orissa areas |
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 Mumbai: 59-year-old Nigerian citizen Anthony Ebie, an arrested drugs he swallowed, during a Press conference in Mumbai on Wednesday. He was arrested at the Mumbai Airport with 104 heroin capsules detected in his stomach. — PTI photo |
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Maid row: India awaits report 1 killed in blast, bombs seized
Art 329 bars courts in poll
matters Vinod Mehta offers to quit on
Kargil stories
France offers to sell Mirage
2000-5 to India India warns Pak on JKLF threat Govt clarification on teaching
posts Firearms training simulator for
Delhi police |
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EC posts DIG Nimbran to Nalanda NEW DELHI, Sept 22 (PTI) — The Election Commission today decided to post the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Central Range, Mr A.S. Nimbran, at Nalanda to ensure free and fair polling in the Lok Sabha constituency from where Defence Minister George Fernandes is contesting. The commission's order comes in the wake of allegations levelled by Mr Fernandes that excess ballot papers had been printed in Calcutta for elections in Nalanda and Barh, where his Samata Party colleague Nitish Kumar is seeking re-election. The decision to post a DIG was taken after a report was sent by the commission's secretary Mr K.J Rao, who reviewed the situation at Nalanda today. The commission has already ordered deployment of one extra observer each for Patna, Barh and Nalanda. Commission sources said Mr Rao and the Chief Electoral Officer of Bihar, Mr A.K. Basu, would also review the flood situation at Darbanga, Muzaffarpur and Saharsa tomorrow and send a report to the commission. The commission had pulled up Mr Fernandes on Monday for making allegations about excess printing of ballot papers without basis in an attempt to disturb the electoral process in the state. PATNA: Patna High Court today disposed of a JD (U) petition seeking a CBI inquiry into the alleged printing of excess ballot papers for use in Bihar, particularly for the Nalanda and Barh constituencies, with a direction to the Election Commission to take all steps to ensure a free and fair poll. Disposing of the petition, a Division Bench comprising Mr Justice B.P. Singh and Mr Justice I.P. Singh asked the petitioner, Mr Lalan Singh, national secretary of the JD(U), to place his suggestions on the conduct of a fair poll before the EC to stop electoral malpractices. BARRACKPORE (UNI): A Trinamool Congress activist was hacked to death at Panihati under Kharda police station in North 24 Parganas district on Wednesday. The police said the
victim identified as Kamal Rauth, an employee of a
biscuit factory, was attacked at about 2 p.m. on his way
to the factory. He was taken to the ESI hospital at
Kamarhati where he succumbed to his injuries. |
2 killed, tension in Orissa areas BARIPADA (Orissa), Sept 22 (PTI) — With the Lok Sabha polls just two days away, tension has gripped areas in Orissa's Mayurbhanj district following deaths of two persons under mysterious circumstances, police sources said today. The cause of the deaths under Karanlla police station yesterday in two different and apparently unconnected incidents were being investigated, the sources said. In the first incident, the body of an armed police reserve (APR) constable, Bhadaraj Marandi, was found near a nullah at Chaturi Sahi, barely 1.5 km from Padiabeds village, the scene of the killing of a Muslim trader over a month ago. Marandi was one of the four APR constables to provide security to Mukunda Naik, the gramarakhi at Padiabeda, who had filed the FIR following the killing of the trader in which he had named fugitive Dara Singh as the main culprit. Dara Singh is the main accused in the murder of Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two minor sons in Orissa's Keonjhar district in January last. In an another incident, the death of Pappu Barik, a 25-year-old, created a stir in Jhadsaqada under Karanjia police station located on the national highway. While some villagers claim that Pappu, who was gambling, was taken by surprise when a police party reached the spot and in a bid to flee on his bicycle, he dashed against a tree and died after sustaining head injuries, his family said he was strangled to death over the sharing of booty. The police, however,
confirmed scratch marks on Pappu's neck and elbow. |
Petition on ballot papers disposed of PATNA, Sept 22 (PTI, UNI) — Patna High Court today disposed of a JD (U) petition seeking a CBI inquiry into the alleged printing of excess ballot papers for use in Bihar, particularly for the Nalanda and Barh constituencies, with a direction to the Election Commission to take all steps to ensure a free and fair poll. Disposing of the petition, a Division Bench comprising Mr Justice B.P. Singh and Mr Justice I.P. Singh asked the petitioner, Mr Lalan Singh, national secretary of the JD(U), to place his suggestions on the conduct of a fair poll before the EC to stop electoral malpractices. Mr Justice B.P. Singh, who presided over the Bench, observed the EC must deal sternly with officials indulging in corrupt electoral practices. "Stern action, including suspension and dismissal be taken against them," he said. Earlier, the Election Commission and the Director, Intelligence Bureau, submitted separate affidavits as directed by the court. KISHANGANJ: The authorities have decided to seal Kishanganj district's border with Nepal in view of the Lok Sabha election to be held on October 3. District Magistrate
R.S.B. Singh said the decision was taken at a joint
co-ordination meeting of the district officials from
Kishanganj (Bihar) and Jhapa (Nepal) held here yesterday. |
Maid row: India awaits report NEW DELHI, Sept 22 — India is awaiting the report of the French public prosecutor on the issue of the alleged assault of the Indian maid at the hands of her diplomat employer in Paris before taking any action on the issue. A Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesman said here today that while India was cooperating with the French authorities, a final decision on the issue would be taken only after the report of the French public prosecutor. He said there was still no word from Paris and as such the MEA was in no position to comment further on the issue. New Delhi, had been awaiting the final report of the French public prosecutor, but there had been no word forthcoming from Paris. The issue of the alleged assault of Lalita Oraon by her employer and Indian diplomat Amrit Lungun has had India in an embarrassing situation, especially with the MEA keeping quiet. In Delhi, women organisations had been been raising a storm over the issue and have been demanding action against the Indian diplomat involved in the incident. The All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) had already petitioned to the MEA not to provide diplomatic immunity to the diplomat in question. It also demanded that the MEA should not make any further statements on the issue till such time the French Government came out with a formal report. The organisation had been critical of the manner in which the MEA officials here had attempted to deal with the issue. In Paris, the Indian Ambassador, Mr Kanwal Sibal, and the other staff of the consulate were still being denied an access to the 19-year-old Lalita Oraon. The Indian embassy staff is now awaiting the report of the French public prosecutor. Caution is being exercised especially as the issue has been threatening to effect the Indo-French ties. However, the foreign office has also been viewing the continued denial of access to Lalita seriously, especially as it was only further fuelling the controversy. While the scandal is getting murkier, the feeling in the MEA here is that Amrit Lungun should be recalled, immediately whether he is guilty or not. According to reports, Lalita was apparently in the hands of Committee for Modern Day Slavery, an NGO, which has also been threatening to sue the Indian embassy and that was the reason Indian diplomats and scribes were being denied access to her. The officials here feel
that the issue was being blown out of proportion,
especially in the French media, which was agog with
stories about the young Indian "slave" girl
mistreated and sexually abused by an Indian diplomat. The
articles appearing in French newspapers have graphic
details about the incident. |
1 killed in blast, bombs seized KURNOOL, Sept 22 (PTI) — One person was killed and three others injured in an explosion at a hideout manufacturing country-made bombs at Abdullapur village, about 50 km from here today, the police said. The deceased, identified as K. Baliah, was considered to be an expert in making crude bombs and he died on the spot in the explosion, district Police Superintendent M. Madan Mohan said. Three of his accomplices J. Rajeshwar Reddy, M. Shabbir and an unidentified person were injured, he said. The injured were admitted to a hospital at Nandyal. In a separate incident the police seized 15 country-made bombs from T. Venkateshwarlu (23) at a bus stand near Tollamadugu village, about 70 km from here, Mr Mohan said. Venkateshwar was
arrested after the police found the bombs in his hand
bag, the police said, adding, he was a supporter of
Koilkuntla MLA Karra Subba Reddy. |
B.M. Birla science awards announced BANGALORE, Sept 22 (UNI) — Prof T.N. Venkatramana and Dr Mohit Randeria of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) have been selected for the B.M. Birla science awards for mathematics and physics for 1997. Announcing this here today, the Indian Space Research Organisation Chairman, Dr K. Kasturirangan, who is Chairman of the award board, said the other awardees were: Dr Pratim Kumar Chattaraj of IIT, Kharagpur, and Dr Santanu Bhattacharya of Indian Institute of Science (Chemistry) and Dr Anil Grover of Delhi University (biology). Prof Venkatramana has been selected for his outstanding research in number theory, specifically the theory of algebraic groups and discontinuous groups. Dr Randeria shares the award for physics with Dr Madan Rao of the Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Chennai. Dr Randeria has been recognised for his research on condensed matter physics, while Dr Rao for his contribution in statistical mechanics at soft condensed matter physics. Dr Chattaraj has been awarded the prize for his contribution to the study of chemical reaction dynamics using quantum potential based approaches and Dr Bhattarcharya for his work in organic chemistry. Dr Grover has been recognised for his contribution to plant stress biology, biochemistry, molecular biology and biotechnology. The awards, instituted
by the B.M. Birla Science Centre, Hyderabad, carrying Rs
50,000 cash prize per subject were conferred on Indian
scientists below the age of 40 for their outstanding
original contributions in their respective fields. |
Art 329 bars courts in poll
matters NEW DELHI, Sept 22 — The enthusiasm shown by Mr George Fernandes and his party, the Janata Dal (United), in rushing to the Patna High Court with a complaint about the printing of excess ballot papers is prima facie an act contrary to the provisions of the Constitution India. Mr Fernandes and other politicians who are backing him (Finance Minister, Mr Yashwant Sinha, and his party, the BJP, in particular) are perhaps oblivious to Article 329 whose sub-heading in the Constitution unambiguously reads: “Bar to interference by courts in electoral matters”. Article 329, which has two clauses — (a) and (b) — says in its latter part “notwithstanding anything in this Constitution... no election to either House of Parliament or to the either House of Legislature of a state shall be called in question except by the election petition presented to such authority and in such manner as may be provided for by or under any law made by appropriate legislature”. Thus, Article 329(b) and relevant provisions of the Representation of the People Act, dealing with election disputes, clearly spell out that any matter which arises while the election process is on can only be disposed off by the relevant high court through the process of an election petition filed by an aggrieved party. The word “election” has been used in the wide sense —to connote the entire procedure to be gone through to return a candidate to Parliament or the Legislature. Thus, beginning with the filing of nomination papers the process is complete only when the results are declared and the elected candidate is issued a certificate to that effect by the returning officer. Thereafter relief for any matter which needs judicial scrutiny can be sought through an election petition filed before the relevant high court challenging that election. Article 329 has been adjudicated by the Supreme Court in the matter of N.P. Punnuswamy versus Returning Officer (1952) and in the matter of Indrajit Barua versus Election Commission of India (1985), Durga Shankar versus Raghuraj Singh (1955) and Mohinder Singh Gill versus Chief Election Commissioner (1978). Thus, while the Patna High Court is free to comment on the need for holding free and fair elections, it has no jurisdiction while the election process is on. Jurisdiction is a matter which can only be called into question during the proceedings of a particular case. Surprisingly, while the JD(U) approached the high court, the counsel for neither the Election Commission nor the Union government invoked the provisions of Article 329. Mr George Fernandes, by
trying to invoke the authority of “Director,
Intelligence Bureau”, showed lack of administrative
ethics. By filing a case in the high court his party
showed scant respect for constitutional procedure. His
stand has been backed by other elements of the present
ruling alliance. Thus, if as indicated by the trend of
most exit polls, the National Democratic Alliance is in a
position to form a government in the 13th Lok Sabha the
first contentious issue before the new Prime Minister
will be whether Mr George Fernandes, given his track
record in the Vishnu Bhagwat matter and this most recent
episode, can be entrusted with the sensitive defence
portfolio. |
News analysis-Bihar CHANDIGARH, Sept 22— Elections in Bihar are proving cantankerous this time. While violence has vitiated the atmosphere, one after another controversy over the conduct of polls has brought the Election Commission of India and the ruling National Democratic Alliance in direct confrontation. Last year’s controversy over duplicate ballot boxes had not died down when a new one over fake ballot papers has erupted. At one level all members of the commission holding a unanimous opinion said no fake ballot papers were printed in the West Bengal Government’s printing press in Calcutta and the Intelligence Bureau’s director ruled out having supplied any such report to the Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes. This gives a lie to Mr Fernandes’s claims that he has solid proof supplied by the IB director that 1.5 lakh duplicate ballot papers were printed by the West Bengal press. He also cried that a conspiracy exists over there between the governments of Bihar and West Bengal. Mr M.S. Gill and his two colleagues, Mr G.V.G. Krishnamurty and Mr Lyngdoh took a straight position and denied any fake ballot papers were printed, and they asked the political parties to allow them to hold the polls, one of the most difficult exercises so far as elections go. Well, this issue is now before the Patna High Court where a petition too has been filed by Janata Dal (United) the Election Commission and the Director of the Intelligence Bureau have to file their affidavits. This is not the point of bitter contention between the BJP- Samata parties on the one hand and the Election Commission on the other. While in Patna on September 12, Mr Krishnamurty stated that last year’s duplicate ballot box issue had been settled once and for all as there were no fake ballot boxes, the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee next day at the same place said he was not satisfied with the enquiry by the commission. “I have strong reservations on the duplicate boxes issue and the probe by the commission has failed to satisfy the aggrieved party, and much more needed to be done”, he said clearly having an eye on the elections. Mr Krishnamurty reiterated his position the next day in Lucknow and other places. Last year the Election department used over 3.89 lakh ballot boxes and the complaint was only about 1,340 boxes. “There were no fake boxes at all”, he declared. Insiders in Patna revealed to the TNS that since the job was done at the last time in great hurry, it led to confusion over numbering and there were just double numbers. “It is just to whip up a controversy and add more to Mr Laloo’s already bad image that the Prime Minister chose to raise this small dead issue”, was the general comment. The Samata Party had already knocked, the doors of the Patna High Court on the issue of posting of 28 district Magistrates and many other officers who were directly concerned with the elections. But this petition was rejected by the high court on the grounds that if any officer was aggrieved, he could come to the court. Obviously no one went to the court. And the Samata Party had to lick the dust. But why this new controversy when the first stage of elections in Bihar is already over. Mr Fernandes may have a sharp tongue, but there has to be some purpose behind what he has stated. He is a seasoned politician indeed. One clear reason is that Mr Fernandes finds himself and his colleague, Mr Nitish Kumar in deep waters. Mr Fernandes who is contesting against a joint candidate of the CPI, the Congress and Mr Laloo Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal, Mr Gaya Singh is finding the going not too good for him. One, he has not taken enough care of the constituency and in the absence of any wave or major national issue, local developmental issues have come to the fore. Again CPI leader Gaya Singh is a veteran having won this seat when Indira Gandhi in 1980 and Rajiv Gandhi in 1984 just swept the polls. In the closeby Bagh constituency, the position of Mr Nitish Kumar is still more precarious. In fact many thought he has very little chance to win. Last time he could win with just 15,000 votes. But all said and done, the fights are tough and anyone could emerge victorious. But what they could be
gaining by such allegations which invite immediate
rebuttal from the sources quoted. And, what could be the
game behind that the Governor, the Chief Justice of the
Patna High Court, Mr B.M. Lal rushing to meet the Home
Minister and the President. The statement he made on the
first phase of poll to the union government was released
immediately in Patna. Why the Governor of Andhra Pradesh,
where large-scale violence had taken place, has not
issued any statement or visited Delhi? The Bihar
Governor’s visit has something to do with defections
now taking place in Mr Laloo’s camp. But for Mr
Fernandes and Mr Nitish Kumar it is the fear of losing
the poll which is making them burst out with allegations.
Perhaps they think they could get the polls postponed on
this pretext. But the Election Commission is in no mood
to oblige them. |
Vinod Mehta offers to quit on Kargil stories NEW DELHI, Sept 22 (PTI) — Eminent journalist and Editor-in-Chief of ‘Outlook’ Mr Vinod Mehta has offered to quit journalism if the Army could prove that the stories carried by the newsmagazine on controversies over Brig Surinder Singh warning on threat perceptions regarding Pakistani intrusions in Kargil were “concocted”. “If I am wrong, by God hang me .... I will quit the profession,” Mr Mehta said participating in Karan Thapar’s ‘Talk Back’ programme to be telecast by Doordarshan tomorrow. Replying to questions from Thapar and another participant Mr Prabhu Chawla, Editor of ‘India Today’, Mr Mehta asserted that he has been in the profession for long and had “satisfied” himself before publishing the stories. On Mr Chawla’s
“challenge” that credibiltiy of the magazine
and the media could be established only by publishing the
letters Brig Surinder Singh is supposed to have written,
Mr Mehta maintained that it was not just one letter.
“There were 28 to 29 letters ... It is like a can of
worms, everyday new information is emerging”. |
France offers to sell Mirage 2000-5 to India NEW DELHI, Sept 22 (UNI) — France has offered to sell the latest Mirage 2000-5 fighter aircraft to India. The French firm Aerospatiale is also pushing to sell the advanced jet trainer (AJT) Alpha Jets to the Indian Air Force. These offers are understood to have been made to the Chief of Air Staff. Air Chief Marshal Anil Yashwant Tipnis, who is currently on an official visit to France, reports Asia Defence News International (ADNI). Though the IAF is keen to acquire about two to three squadrons of Mirage 2000-5 but some sections of the IAF have reservations about the Alpha Jet whose production was stopped in 1991 and is considered as a second hand aircraft. The Ministry of Defence
had earlier shortlisted the British Hawk and the Alpha
Jet. Meanwhile, the Russian offered the MiG-AT to fill
the requirement of the IAF and the Navy for an AJT.
Already 10 MiG-AT aircraft have entered squadron service
with the Russian air force. |
India warns Pak on JKLF threat NEW DELHI, Sept 22 — India today warned Pakistan that it would be responsible for the consequences which might result from the attempts being made by militants of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) to cross the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir. Reacting the news reports appearing in the Pakistani media regarding the JKLF intentions, India today summoned the Pakistani Deputy High Commissioner, Mr Akhbar Zeb and expressed in no uncertain terms that the sanctity of the LoC should be maintained at any cost. He was also informed that the responsibility of maintaining this sanctity was that of the Pakistani Government. Mr Zeb, who was summoned
to the South Block this afternoon, was asked, in the
context of these reports, to convey to his government
their clear obligation for ensuring the inviolability and
sanctity of the LoC, “which is crucial for the
maintenance of tranquillity and security”. Pakistan
would be responsible of the consequences if it was unable
to keep the obligation, a Ministry of External Affairs
spokesman said. |
Govt clarification on
teaching posts NEW DELHI, Sept 22 — The Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, has reportedly clarified to the University Grants Commission that its directions regarding the creation of vacant posts are not intended to apply to teaching posts. This clarification was
conveyed in a press release issued by the Secretary, UGC,
Mr R.P. Ganourde, yesterday. According to the statement,
the UGC has not been approaching the Department of
Expenditure for the creation or revival of such posts. It
says the UGC took up the matter with the Ministry of
Human Resource Development which, in turn, took up the
matter with the Department of Expenditure for obtaining
relaxation regarding the creation of teaching posts in
universities and other educational institutions. |
Firearms training simulator for
Delhi police NEW DELHI, Sept 22 — The Commissioner of Delhi Police, Mr Ajai Raj Sharma today expressed dissatisfaction over the image of the force and said it had to be improved. Addressing trainees on his first visit to the Police Training College (PTC) at Jharoda Kalan here, Mr Sharma said the image of Delhi Police was not “very satisfactory” and sustained efforts were needed to improve it. The Commissioner of Police inaugurated the interactive multi-media projector with visualiser and a fire arms Training simulator at the PTC. The first batch of computer literate constables and sub-Inspectors, which is undergoing training at the Delhi Police Training College, would soon be joining the force, Mr Sharma said. “Computerisation
would help in documentation, making access easier,”
Mr Sharma said. |
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| 10-yr RI for 2 Dawood
aides MUMBAI: Two members of the Dawood Ibrahim gang were sentenced to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment by a local court here on Tuesday for disfiguring a girl in her teens by splattering acid on her in a case of mistaken identity four year back in suburban Juhu. Additional Sessions Judge A.R. Joshi also ordered accused Manoj Hiralal Makwana and Noor Mohammed to pay a fine of Rs 50,000 each to victim Dipti Khanna, who underwent plastic surgery 15 times but could not restore her normal appearance. — PTI 6 labourers charred to
death Two days’
police custody for Bhosale 6.5 kg gold
looted 3-yr RI for
fabricating SC’s bail order 2 new observers
for Amethi INLD to organise
jan kalyan rally Middlemen
‘made money’ in wheat import |
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