Shyam Sood

Rajouri, March 5

After undergoing rigorous training for eight months, 101 youths from 83 remote and inaccessible villages situated in Rajouri, Poonch, Reasi and Jammu districts have finally joined the Territorial Army.An attestation parade was conducted by the 156 Infantry Battalion Territorial Army (Home and Hearth), Punjab, under the aegis of Romeo Force at Palma in Rajouri. It was chaired by Maj Gen Yogendra Dimri, GOC, Romeo Force.The main aim behind the recruitment of the youths, especially from Rajouri-Poonch and Reasi districts, was to bring them into the main stream.“Raised on the concept of ‘Sons of the Soil’, the Territorial Army (Home and Hearth) units form an interface between the Indian Army and the local population since they provide an opportunity of employment in the security forces to the local youth,” a senior army officer said.He added that in October 2015, 101 best candidates were finally selected out of the 14,000 aspirants during the recruitment rally held at Surankote in Poonch.Most of the recruits come from humble backgrounds. One of the recruits is a postgraduate, three are graduates while the rest are undergraduates.The recruits were sent to the Punjab Regimental Centre at Ramgarh (Jharkhand) to undergo eight months of rigorous training.While addressing the newly recruited soldiers, the GOC said, “Be dedicated to your commitment to protect the nation and its borders in Poonch and Rajouri districts.”He reminded them of the rich heritage and the glory of the Indian Army and stressed upon the importance of discipline and physical fitness in a soldier’s life.

Selection after 8-month training

• In October 2015, 101 best candidates were selected out of 14,000 aspirants during a recruitment rally held at Surankote in Poonch
• Most of the soldiers come from humble backgrounds. One of the soldiers is a postgraduate, three are graduates while the rest are undergraduates
• The recruits were sent to the Punjab Regimental Centre at Ramgarh (Jharkhand) to undergo eight months of rigorous training

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, March 4

A day after Delhi University student Gurmehar Kaur was trolled again, this time over a video wherein a girl resembling her was seen singing and dancing in a car, her mother today reacted sharply.“It is unfortunate that the people who have been trolling Gurmehar are indulging in mischievous acts. They even used an old video of a girl having a slight resemblance with Gurmehar to troll her again. God will not spare such acts of wrongdoers,” Rajwinder Kaur said.Though Gurmehar refused to talk to the media, she tweeted: “The girl in the car wasn’t me. But whether she was or she wasn’t, was it okay to shame her like that?”Rajwinder Kaur said: “It is clear to everyone that the girl is not Gurmehar. The car is a left-hand drive vehicle, not prevalent in India. Still people have been posting all sorts of comments.”A first-year student of Lady Shri Ram College, Gurmehar has been getting rape threats and was trolled for over a week after she dared the ABVP on social media following a clash at Delhi University.Throw me out of India, Panjoli dares VijFatehgarh Sahib: SGPC member and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Karnail Singh Panjoli on Saturday challenged Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij to get him thrown out of the country as he agreed with Gurmehar’s views.Panjoli was reacting to the statement of Vij, who had stated that those supporting Gurmehar should be shunted out of the country.He also urged Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar to dismiss the “mentally ill minister” from the Cabinet.“India doesn’t belong to any political party as the Constitution guarantees freedom of speech to all citizens. Gurmehar is a citizen of the country and a martyr’s daughter. She has every right to express her feelings,”the Akali leader added. — TNS

Delhi University student Gurmehar Kaur, who found herself in the middle of an acrimonious debate over nationalism, was on Friday trolled again after a video of a young woman singing, dancing in a car was circulated on social media.

Several Twitter users were quick to assume the girl was the 20-year-old Lady Shri Ram College student, who launched a campaign against the ABVP after violence in city’s Ramjas College.

Kaur was forced to leave Delhi after she was allegedly threatened with rape and her campaign triggered an ugly debate on free speech, with politicians also joining in.

The woman in the clip is not Kaur but as the video went viral, trolls followed. A news website even carried a story wondering if the woman was Kaur.

The video, like the Ramjas violence, turned into a Left vs Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad slugfest.

CPI (ML) Politburo member Kavita Krishnan accused the ABVP, of circulating the video to defame Kaur. “Look at the comments on Twitter. They are accusing her of being a Naxal. Some woman is simply dancing and singing in the car. What is the problem with that?” she said.

The ABVP, which is the student wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh, the ideological parent of the BJP, denied the accusation.

“The ABVP does not do such things. It is becoming completely illogical. Social media is an unregulated space and it is the communists who are spreading anarchy in the name of freedom of speech and expression,” the student body’s media convenor Saket Bahuguna said.

There were many who came out in support of the woman in the video. “Even if this video was indeed featuring Gurmehar, does her drinking discredit her statement and thinking?” Gurmeet Arora tweeted.

WATCH THE FAKE VEDIO TO DEFAME GURMEHAR

1. The Name is GULMEHAR and NOT GURMEHAR
2.  The University is JNU and Not Delhi University 
3. The Veh is Left hand drive.
4. The Scene is of Palm Tree on road side
5. The Vedio seems to be old of Baloch Model who was late Murdered.

http://

Kuldeep Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, March 1

Ex-servicemen and serving soldiers in the state have expressed resentment over the failure of the Ministry of Defence and the state government to open a cantonment-cum-CSD depot in the Shivaliks that will provide them cheaper liquor, grocery and other items. They get these at a higher rate from Army’s CSD canteens as there is no CSD depot in the state.Capt Jagdish Verma (retd), president, Honorary Commissioned Officers’ Welfare Association of Himachal Pradesh, said, “Ex-servicemen are paying through their nose. We get a liquor bottle for Rs 300 at the CSD in the state that costs Rs 193 in Haryana and Chandigarh. Besides, we have to pay 6.5 per cent excise duty and 2 per cent extra VAT on each item”.“Grocery and liquor cost more at CSDs in Himachal because these items are transported by road from CSD depots of Ambala, Jalandhar and Pathankot,” he said.Social Justice and Empowerment and Sainik Welfare Minister Col Dhani Ram Shandil said he would take up the matter with Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar soon. “We have been demanding that the ministry should open a cantonment and Dogra regiment centre in the Shivaliks,” he added.“We support the issue raised by ex-servicemen. If we have a CSD depot, it will provide cheaper liquor, grocery and other consumer items to over 1.4 lakh ex-servicemen in the state, which has also equal number of serving soldiers in the armed forces,” he added.“The demand for cantonment-cum-CSD depot is pending since long. We have identified land at Amb in Una or Bilaspur and will soon replead our case with Parrikar,” Shandil said.

Gurmehar’s grandfather Kanwaljeet Singh with Jalandhar DC on Wednesday. tribune photo

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, March 1

The SGPC and Akal Takht today came out in support of Delhi University student Gurmehar Kaur. The 20-year-old student of Lady Shri Ram College recently invited the ire of a certain section of people for propagating India-Pakistan peace.SGPC chief Kirpal Singh Badungar said it was an unfortunate instance and a section of disgruntled elements should be subjected to harsh punishment for their inhuman approach. He said SGPC officials would soon meet her. “People threatening the daughter of Captain Mandeep Singh, who laid down his life for the nation, should be liable to face stern legal action,” he said. Similar views were expressed by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh.‘Focus on studies’Jalandhar: While it took much coaxing for the media to get Gurmehar Kaur to talk, when she did, she said precious little. Visibly apprehensive, while speaking to mediapersons gathered at her home on Wednesday, the 20-year-old said she was now just concentrating on her future and was thankful to all those who supported her. “I don’t want to talk about the past. I am just concentrating on finishing my masters. I’m thankful to all those who have supported me,” said the DU student in her first outing after she withdrew from the campaign against the ABVP on Tuesday amid mounting pressure. While she was accompanied by her mother and sister Bani, her mother kept telling the media not to ask her anything about the incidents of the past week. TNS

Grandpa meets DC

• Gurmehar’s grandfather Kanwaljeet Singh and members of the Sikh Talmel Committee on Wednesday submitted a memorandum to the Jalandhar Deputy Commissioner seeking immediate arrest of the remaining accused whose name has been mentioned in the FIR relating to the rape threat to the student. The committee members also urged the administration to ensure the security of the family based in Jalandhar. TNS

There is no denying that the Supreme Court is overwhelmed with cases, numbering around 60,000 currently; yet it was disappointing that Chief Justice of India JS Khehar should have allowed himself to make almost an uncharitable and uncharacteristic observation that the apex court is not “Amrit Dhara” for all ailments. His remarks betray a sense of tiredness and helplessness over the heavy burden. But the headship of the top court comes with obligations and expectations. He is supposed to deal with the challenge of pendency confronting him. Given the odds litigants face and the unbearable cost involved at the Supreme Court level, it is also not the case, as CJI Khehar has tried to convey, of people “waking up in the morning and saying let’s go to the Supreme Court”. Over the last four decades the apex court has been applauded for encouraging PIL-centric jurisprudence. People with grievances or victims of excesses committed by the executive feel they can knock at the door of the court in the hope for justice. Despite a thriving democracy in place, the executive quite often wittingly or unwittingly treads on people’s rights. All that voters can do at the most is to replace one set of non-performers with another. It is true most problems would not arise or would be settled at the lower level if the executive were to play fair, deliver promised services in time, respect human rights and ensure the rule of law. In fact, the state itself is the biggest litigant and cases are routinely filed by one department against the other. Ruling politicians and bureaucrats refuse to accept that their decisions could be wrong. Cases and appeals are filed at the state expense up to the highest level. For an aggrieved citizen the court is the last hope.Judges know how to deal with frivolous cases; that they do not do it often is their choice. The CJI can establish his leadership by initiating reforms to cut delays, adjournments and appeals, and discipline advocates. There is a case to be made for judicial discipline —including for judges, lawyers as also the litigants — but it would be a sad day if the citizens were to conclude that the apex court is reluctant to provide them succour against wayward officials.

CHANCES OF AN INDIA-PAK NUKE WAR ARE REMOTE

WARNING FROM CHINA: FOSSIL FUEL TO DEVASTATE INDIA’S HEARTLAND

THIS INFANTRY VETERAN CYCLES TO PAY HOMAGE TO 20,600 POST­INDEPENDENCE MARTYRS

LT-GEN ASHWANI KUMAR AWARDED ATI VISHISHT SEVA MEDAL

PROPOSAL FOR DOING AWAY WITH COMBINED LIQUOR CUM GROCERY CANTEEN SMART CARDS

INDUS HYDROPOWER PROJECTS BEING BUILT DESPITE PAK OBJECTIONS, LS TOLD

RISE ABOVE RHETORIC KASHMIR TERROR SYMPATHISERS COURT DANGER

UDAIPUR FIRE CONTAINED AFTER ARMY, IAF STEP IN

ARM LICENCES SANS UIN INVALID AFTER TOMORROW

KASHMIR SHUTS DOWN OVER BUDGAM KILLINGS

KASHMIR SHUTS DOWN OVER BUDGAM KILLINGS

PUNJAB NEWS 30-31  MARCH 2017

1. I’m after bigwigs of drug trade, won’t harass small users, says Amarinder
2. Punjab Improvement Trust chairmen, trustees relieved with immediate effect
3. Capt govt restores beacons, then orders removal again
4. Capt: Banks won’t harass farmers
5. Phone, job, debt waiver in first year
6. FLEET OF RS 2.5-CR VEHICLES FOR CAPT ON WAY, COURTESY BADAL
7. New game, new rules
8. Road map for Punjab
9. Pending bills: Water shocker for residents
10. Japanese delegation meets Capt, shows interest in investing in state
11. Guv seeks revamp of sainik programmes
12. Hope floats for ‘neglected’ rest house near Badal resort
13. Dept in doldrums, govt must intervene: Roadways staff
14. PUNJAB FARMERS TAKE OUT PROTEST MARCH TO PARLIAMENT
15. Sidhu launches ‘People’s govt at their doorsteps’ campaign

DRDO has built support base for the facility developed at Bhisiana station

Netra aircraft that will be operated from Bhisiana Air Force Station

Vijay Mohan

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 27

The Indian Air Force’s second airbase for operating airborne early warning and control systems (AEW&CS) aircraft that has come up at the Bhisiana Air Force Station near Bathinda in Punjab is ready for operations.The infrastructural and support facilities built up at the airbase by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the AEW&CS are complete and the new complex within the airbase is expected to be handed over to the Air Force next month, IAF sources said.The base will house indigenous AEW&CS developed by the DRDO, which is christened Netra and was showcased at the Republic Day Parade as well as the Aero India show earlier this year. A fighter, unmanned aerial vehicle and a missile squadron are also based at Bhisiana. The other IAF base to operate AEW&CS is Agra, home to the A-50 AWACS, which are Israeli Phalcon systems integrated with a modified Russian IL-76 heavy-lift aircraft.The DRDO’s Bengaluru-based Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS) has developed three such systems that are mounted on the Brazilian Embraer ERJ 145 aircraft. Two of the aircraft would be based at Bhisiana while the third will remain positioned at the CABS for research and development, sources said.Another six such systems are reported to have been ordered, with the IAF’s total requirement in this category projected at 20 platfroms.AWACS are force multipliers and can cover a huge swath of airspace, look deep into the enemy territory and detect enemy aircraft and missiles right from the launch phase, besides intercepting communication signals. Their flying altitude gives them an advantage over ground-based radar and they can provide a real time battlefield picture to commanders for decision making and counter air operations.At present, the IAF has three A-50s with another two in the pipeline. The DRDO has also launched a new project to build larger and more capable AWACS than the Netra. Initially, two such AWACS aircraft will be developed, with four more to follow subsequently. The IAF is also looking at western platforms like the Boring 767 and Airbus 330 for future planes. China and Pakistan also operate different types of AEW&CS.

Photo of Chandu Babulal.

Mumbai, March 24

The Indian soldier who was returned by Pakistan after four months in captivity said he was so fed up with torture by Pakistanis that he often prayed for death while in their custody.

“I was assaulted. I told them: Kill me. I realised that this was the end of the road for me,” Chandu Babulal Chavan, who was handed over to India on January 21, said here on Friday in conversation with a Marathi channel.

The 22-year-old had crossed into Pakistan on September 29, the day India hit terror launch pads across the line of control (LoC), and 10 days after an attack by suspected Pakistani militants on a camp in Uri that killed 19 soldiers.

Chavan was posted on the LoC in the Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir.

Describing the scenario after he was caught by Pakistani soldiers after straying across the border, Chavan said, “they checked me, took out my clothes, put on black robes (on me) and took me away in a vehicle.” “I was put in a room which was always dark. I did not understand a thing. The bathroom and toilets were also in the same room,” the soldier, who returned to his native Borvihir village in Dhule district, earlier this month, told the channel.

“When I used to bang my head and ask them to kill me, they gave me injection doses. They used to beat me. There came a time that I didn’t have any more tears in my eyes,” he said.

“I did not understand whether it was day or night. I remembered my family in those harrowing times. I used to pray God to end my life,” he said.

Describing the Pakistani torture, he said, “They used to give me sedatives through injection. They put drops in my ear when it was bleeding.”

“There was a time when I told my captors that I had crossed into Pakistan to avenge the Uri terror attacks,” he said. — PTI