Thursday, September 30, 1999
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Polling in 4 Bihar LS
constituencies put off NEW DELHI, Sept 29 — The Election Commission today put off polling in four Lok Sabha constituencies in Bihar to October 28 due to floods and rain and delayed voting in two Assembly segments under Katihar Lok Sabha constituency to October 5. SC cautions courts on dying declaration NEW DELHI, Sept 29 — The Supreme Court has cautioned the courts against basing conviction of an accused solely on a dying declaration without any other corroborative evidence on record. |
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 RJD chief and Lok Sabha candidate Laloo Prasad campaigning from a boat in the Koshi river in his Madhepura constituency on Wednesday. — PTI
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Amethi voters fear violence AMETHI (UP), Sept 29 — Fear and apprehension of poll-related violence and booth-capturing stalks voters of this prestigious Lok Sabha constituency, with political parties claiming to “prevent” such incidents from taking place and the administration a gearing to meet the challenge. Threatening immolations
to stall transfers ‘House
dust mites cause allergies’ Defence
Expo from October 12 New
method to check heart blockages Team
submits Cauvery report MCD
demolitions were ‘anti-Cong’ Brig’s
wife killed by servant
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Polling in 4 Bihar LS
constituencies put off NEW DELHI, Sept 29 — The Election Commission today put off polling in four Lok Sabha constituencies in Bihar to October 28 due to floods and rain and delayed voting in two Assembly segments under Katihar Lok Sabha constituency to October 5. Polling in these constituencies was to be held here on October 3, in the last phase of elections. The Lok Sabha constituencies where polling has been put off to October 28 will be Purnea, Rajmahal (reserved), Bhagalpur and Khagaria, the EC announced today. Polling in Kadwa and Manihari Assembly segments under Katihar will be held on October 5, by which time the Commission said the situation was expected to be normal. The EC has also decided to divert the central para-military forces assigned to the constituencies where the poll is being postponed to other constituencies. It said key constituencies like Madhepura shall now have full complement of force, including 100 per cent state force outside the polling booths in these constituencies. The decision to put off the polls, came after it perused a report of Mr A.K. Basu, the Chief Electoral Officer of Bihar who was directed to make a second survey of the flood affected constituencies and review arrangements with Divisional Commissioners and District Magistrates. The EC said that while drawing up the schedule for general election, consultations were held with the Meteorological Department and polling was slated for October 3. The situation, the EC
said, changed after September 23, because of
unprecedented late rains in these areas and also due to
discharge of river waters coming from Nepal. |
SC cautions courts on dying declaration NEW DELHI, Sept 29 (UNI) — The Supreme Court has cautioned the courts against basing conviction of an accused solely on a dying declaration without any other corroborative evidence on record. "In order that a dying declaration may form the sole basis for conviction without the need for independent corroboration, it must be shown that the person making it had the opportunity of identifying the person implicated and is thoroughly reliable and free from blemish," the court said. It said "if, in the facts and circumstances of a case, it is found that the maker of the statement was in a fit stage of mind and had voluntarily made the statement on the basis of personal knowledge without being influenced by others and the court on strict scrutiny finds it to be reliable, there is no rule of law or even of prudence that such a reliable piece of evidence cannot be acted upon unless it is corroborated." A dying declaration is an independent piece of evidence like any other piece of evidence — neither extra strong nor weak — and can be acted upon without corroboration if it is found to be otherwise true and reliable, the court observed. The ruling was handed down by a Division Bench comprising Mr Justice K.T. Thomas and Mr Justice D.P. Wadhwa while letting off an accused, charged with the murder of his young wife by setting her on fire. The relationship between Jai Karan and his wife, Wanti Devi, a couple living in Delhi, was not cordial. She had gone to a district court in Delhi with a claim for maintenance against her husband. However, on the intervention of their relations and well-wishers, the differences were patched up and she withdrew the case. She also returned to her marital home and started living with her husband. Eight months later, on September 25, 1990, Wanti Devi was admitted to the Jai Prakash Narain hospital with burn injuries. She succumbed to her injuries the same day. Before her death, she allegedly told a doctor that she was burnt by her husband by pouring kerosene after a fight between the two. The prosecution case was solely based on her dying declaration. An Additional Sessions Judge, Delhi, held him guilty of the charge of murder of his wife and awarded him imprisonment for life, which was confirmed by the Delhi High Court. The Supreme Court in its judgement said that the prosecution evidence rested solely on the dying declaration allegedly made by the deceased to a doctor of the hospital since the parents, other relations and neighbours did not support its case. A look at the document containing the dying declaration, clearly brings out that an endorsement had been made by Dr Rajendra Prasad Singh at 11 a.m. that the injured Wanti Devi was not in a fit condition for making the statement. This endorsement also gains support from the evidence of the police officer who stated that on getting the information about the incident when he reached the hospital, he was told that the injured was not in a fit condition for making any statement and he returned without recording it, the court noted. From the facts and circumstances of the case emerging from the evidence on record, the court further noted, it was difficult to rely on the alleged dying declaration as the sole basis for conviction. "On perusal of the
record and on giving our anxious considerations to the
entire matter, we are of the view that it will not be
safe to convict the appellant solely on the basis of the
dying declaration made by the deceased. The courts below
erred in passing the judgement and order of conviction
against the appellant-husband on that basis," the
judges observed while allowing the appeal and setting
aside his conviction. |
Navy submarines to have anti-ship missiles LONDON, Sept 29 (PTI) — Two of the Indian Navy’s Russian-built Sindhugosh kilo-class submarines will be armed with the latest Russian anti-ship missiles, the latest Jane’s Defence Weekly said, quoting Russian industry sources. Two submarines were now at the Admiral Tevskiya Verfi shipyard in St Petersburg for modernisation. The upgrade includes arming the submarines with the 3m-54EI missile, developed by the Novator Design Bureau, the weekly said. A 10th submarine of this class that is under construction at the yard is also expected to have a missile-firing capability fitted. Vertically-launched versions of the 3m-54EI will arm three improved Krivak iii (project 1135.6)-class frigates that are under construction for the Indian Navy at the Baltiisky shipyard in St Petersburg. The hull of the first ship is already built. The keel of the second is due to be laid this week. According to Vladimir Yukhnin, Director-General of the Northern Project Design Bureau, the bureau designed the frigate to meet the demands of India’s naval doctrine. Officials said the 3m-54EI had a range of up to 3000 km. The larger part of the missile’s trajectory is flown at high subsonic speeds. At about 60km from the target, the missile’s third solid-propellant stage starts. For its final approach the missile travels at about 1,100m/sec flying about 5 metre above the water. Weighing 1,570 kg, the
missile had a 450 kg high-explosive warhead, the report
said. |
Amethi voters fear violence AMETHI (UP), Sept 29 (PTI) — Fear and apprehension of poll-related violence and booth-capturing stalks voters of this prestigious Lok Sabha constituency, with political parties claiming to “prevent” such incidents from taking place and the administration a gearing to meet the challenge. Most political leaders apprehend violence in two of the five assembly segments of this parliamentary constituency, Amethi and Jagdishpur. The major factor behind regular recurrence of such incidents is the deep-rooted caste and community based politics here, according to political observers. To ensure smooth and fair polling, the Uttar Pradesh government has appointed two additional observers for this constituency, with an electorate of over 11.1 lakh taking the total number of election observers for Amethi to six. Four others were sent by the Election Commission. Of a total of 1302 polling booths in Amethi, the administration has declared 367 as hyper-sensitive and another 320 as sensitive, top district administration and police officials told PTI. The force strength made available for smooth conduct of polls this time is more than double that in 1998. Congress leaders have expressed fears that voters, particularly those belonging to lower castes and minorities, would be prevented from exercising their franchise in Thakur-dominated areas. They also alleged that about 2000 Sangh parivar activists from Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi have arrived here with “arms and cash”. Refuting these charges, BJP leaders allege that their Congress counterparts had brought in outsiders to disrupt poll proceedings and were trying to “defame” their candidate and Raja of Amethi Sanjay Singh. However, political observers feel that while it was difficult for both parties to totally deny these charges, the brunt of the attacks, if any, would have to be faced by the lower castes and minorities as has been happening historically in Amethi. Acting on these complaints, the local authorities have decided to issue “shoot-at-sight” orders on polling day, and seal the borders of Amethi and restrict vehicular movement on October 3 District Magistrate and Returning Officer for this seat, Anurag Shrivastava, told PTI. He said complaints of intimidation of voters have already been received from certain areas of Amethi, including Sangrampur and Jaisinghpur. However, observers say that even if there was no violent incident on polling day, threats of post-poll retaliation, particularly against the weaker sections would definitely affect the voting pattern. They said in the past elections too, “groups of goons” went around prior to the polling in remote villages and hamlets, threatening people either to vote for a particular candidate or face consequences. This is an effective
method to influence the polls as the voters are afraid of
the long term consequences of not listening to these
groups. |
Threatening immolations to stall
transfers SRIGANGANAGAR, Sept 29 — The locals and residents of surrounding areas have adopted a unique and unprecedented method in this border district, to get their demands fulfilled —issuing the threat of self-immolation in full public view. The ‘fatal’ method of attracting public and the administration’s attention became a routine affair here after the death of Laxman Khichi, a Municipal Councillor, who immolated himself in the presence of a huge gathering in front of the office of the District Collector in July last year. Khichi reportedly ended his life in protest against the “apathetic” attitude of the administration towards removing the encroachments in his ward. After his death, threats of self-immolation became a big problem for the local police, which booked about 45 persons for such offences in 1998 and 25 persons in the current year. This district, which witnessed a green revolution few years ago, has earned the dubious distinction of having a large number of suicide cases. It is estimated that every 24 hours, a suicide is reported in the district, which shares its border with Punjab, Haryana and Pakistan. While most of the threats of self-immolation never materialise, in some cases the administration has found itself in a piquant situation when a person appears at a public place and attempts to end his life by setting himself ablaze. Sometimes, timely action by the administration has saved the life of a “trouble-maker”, while others have met a tragic end. Demanding action against a clerk of the District Collector’s office, a local resident doused kerosene on his clothes and tried to set himself ablaze on September 9 in full public view. Swift action by the administration foiled his attempt. But 30-year-old Shanker was not so lucky. He met a tragic end on September 6, when he set himself on fire at Dasehra ground in full public view in broad daylight. The next day, another youth committed self-immolation in Purani Abaddi locality. An elderly person ended his life by jumping before a running train on the same day. Nanak Chand, Rahul, Mona Rani and Saran Singh (names changed) issued threats suicide to the district administration last month after they failed to get an assurance from the administration on the fulfilment of their demands. A few days ago, the local police had to scan almost all account books of a bank to trace the names of all Raj Kumars as a person named Raj Kumar had issued a threat of self-immolation at Gandhi Chowk here if he was not paid his deposits in the bank. To trace the address of the person who issued the threat, the police had to underline all 29 accounts, held in the name of Raj Kumar. To garner public support, the politicians too are adopting this method. Few years ago, a state minister beloning to this area issued the threat of self-immolation in case the state government failed to tackle the waterlogging problem in the area. Even transfers of government employees have led to an unprecedented rise in the number of such threats. A few months ago, a husband, whose wife was transferred from this town to an other district, tried to immolate himself to get the transfer of his wife cancelled. A senior police official also threatened to end his life after he got agitated over his frequent transfers. Police sources said that district had witnessed more than 100 suicides up to August-end and most of the suicides took place due to social tensions, poverty, indebtedness, dowry demand, family conflicts, extra-marital relations and failure to realise a goal. Mr Ravi Parkash Mehrda,
district police chief, when contacted on the phone, said
that the police had appealed to the public to assist it
in preventing such incidents. |
‘House dust mites cause allergies’ BANGALORE, Sept 29 (PTI) — House dust mites which breed indoors are more responsible for several types of allergies than pollution, according to Dr K.V. Nagendra Prasad, Director of the Bangalore Allergy Centre. Only 20 per cent of the allergy cases were caused by pollution-related factors, he said. About 45 per cent of the allergy cases in India are caused by two species of house dust mites — dermato fagodes farinea and dermato fagodes pteronysinus. These microscopic mites easily entered the respiratory system to initiate allergies, Dr Prasad said here today. House dust mites cause bronchial asthma, allergic bronchitis, allergic pharyngitis affecting the pharynx, allergic conjunctivitis and allergic rhinitis with leads to uncontrollable sneezing, running nose and nasal blockage. Dr Prasad said “house dust mites are found in places with 55 per cent humidity and above.” “They form the majority of allergy-causing agents as they thrive in homes on carpets, bed-sheets and curtains. They feed on hair, human epidermis (skin) scales and dandruff outside the body,” he said. He said the most effective way to wean out house dust mites was by exposing them to ultra-violet rays of the sun. Dr Prasad said partial
success had been gained by developing a temporary vaccine
which lowers the sensitivity of an individual to
allergens. But these were under trial and given to
critical patients only under strict supervision of
specialists. |
Defence Expo from October 12 NEW DELHI, Sept 29 — India’s vast potential for collaboration in defence industry in the land and naval systems would be at display at the forthcoming DEFEXPO-99 to be organised by the Ministry of Defence in association with the Confederation of India Industries (CII) from October 12 at Pragati Maidan here. Spread over five days, the first ever international land and naval system exhibition will showcase all aspect of defence technologies available in India as well as a wide range of land and naval systems manufactured around the world. The event would provide an opportunity to the exhibitors and manufacturers to tap expanding market in Asia as India is emerging as a nodal point for such shows. On display would be a whole range of product being manufactured by Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and a large number of private industrial units which are already involved in defence production sector. The show will provide an opportunity to those who wish to enter this sector for domestic and export promotion. The exhibition would also provide a platform to international companies that seek to promote their production in the Indian defence sectors including joint ventures and technology tie-ups. With over 10,000 sq mtrs
exhibition space more than 90 national and international
companies, including from Israel, South Africa and the
United Kingdom would be setting up their pavilions. |
New method to check heart blockages NEW DELHI, Sept 29 (UNI) — A new non-invasive technique to detect blockages in the coronary arteries accurately without any risk or discomfort and at one-third of the cost of angiography is being launched in the city. The new technique, called realistic geometry cartographic imaging (RGCI), is being launched at an imaging centre in South Delhi in collaboration with Saaol Heart Centre. Explaining the procedure, Saaol founder Dr Bimal Chhajer told mediapersons here today that it used a series of cardiac parameters like computerised recordings of heart sounds, ECG, cardiac impedance and blood pressure for 512 beats. A computer then analyses all these records and plots them in a chart pre-prepared with thousands of data from normal and heart patients collected previously. Within six minutes a computed data brings out the blockage pattern of the heart tubes, he said. The entire procedure starting from strapping the patient to a cot, connecting him to the machine and collecting his data takes about 15 minutes. Describing the RGCI
machine as the first of its kind in North India, Dr
Chhajer said it could detect blockages as low as 20 per
cent. |
Team submits Cauvery report NEW DELHI, Sept 29 (PTI) — The Central team of experts which inspected the water storage position in the reservoirs of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu today submitted its report to the Prime Minister’s Office confirming the Cauvery Monitoring Committee’s recommendation to Karnataka to release nine tmc ft of water to Tamil Nadu. "The Monitoring Committee has already recommended after considering all these things. We have confirmed this", the Water Resources Secretary, Mr Z. Hasan, who led the three-member team, told ‘Star News’ when asked whether it had recommended immediate release of water by Karnataka to Tamil Nadu, as demanded by it. Mr Hasan met the Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary, Mr Brajesh Mishra, and submitted the report which would be conveyed to the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, who is electioneering in Uttar Pradesh. He said the situation
was bad, particularly in Tamil Nadu and in Karnataka
also, where there was less water in its reservoirs as
compared to last year. |
MCD demolitions were
‘anti-Cong’ NEW DELHI, Sept 29 — The Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) today alleged that the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) was targeting those areas which were dominated by Congress supporters during the demolition drive. The DPCC has termed demolitions of slum clusters and jhuggis in the Capital as the “BJP’s revenge” for voting for the Congress in the elections held earlier this month. Mr Chopra claimed that most of the demolitions were only of slum clusters while the palatial bungalows and farmhouses were left untouched by the MCD. He stated there should
be a uniform policy for demolitions and checking
encroachments rather than the pick-and-choose method. |
Brig’s wife killed
by servant NEW DELHI, Sept 29 — Raminder Kaur Khurana (49), wife of Brigadier D.S. Khurana, was stabbed to death by her domestic servant this afternoon. The incident occurred at 3.20 p.m. when deceased was alone in her house at Army Officer’s quarters in Shankar Vihar in South - West Delhi. The accused Ramu has
been arrested. |
14 lakh tonnes of paddy
procured NEW DELHI, Sept 29
— The procurement of paddy in Punjab and Haryana
exceeded 13.99 lakh tonnes as on September 29 in the
current Kharif 1999-2000 season. According to the Food
Corporation of India (FCI),out of the total procurement
of 13.99 lakh tonnes, the FCI’s share was 3.43 lakh
tonnes.The total arrival of paddy in Punjab and Haryana
mandis this year was 26.54 lakh tonnes compared to 11.89
lakh tonnes of last year. |
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| 13 counting centres in
Delhi NEW DELHI: Thirteen counting centres have been set up for the seven Delhi parliamentary constituencies that went to polls in the first phase of September five. The counting of votes for the seven seats will begin at 8 a.m. on October 6. Maximum number of four counting centres had been set up for East Delhi parliamentary constituency followed by three for New Delhi, two for Outer Delhi and one each for South Delhi, Chandni Chowk, Delhi Sadar and Karol Bagh (SC). The electronic voting machines were used in all constituencies and the results for the seven seats are expected to be declared by afternoon. — TNS Pocket-size edition of
Constitution Consumer court
hauls up airlines Fake NSC racket
busted Two years’
RI for doctor 8 killed in
jeep-truck collision MLA remanded in
judicial custody Six feared
drowned Man sets wife
afire |
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