Vijay Mohan

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 13

The Centre today issued fresh orders to calculate pension of employees who had retired prior to 2016. The orders could enhance their post-retirement financial benefits. The new orders are consequent to the Cabinet decision to accept an improvement over and above the system of pension calculation which was finally effectuated after the Seventh Central Pay Commission (CPC).The CPC had recommended two formulae for calculation of pension of pre-2016 retirees. While the first formula involved calculation of pension based on a notional basis, the second involved the multiplication of old pension by a factor of 2.57. The orders for the second formula were issued earlier and the first formula was recently accepted with certain modifications by the Cabinet.“The feasibility of the first option recommended by the seventh CPC has been examined by a committee headed by the Secretary, Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare. Accordingly, it has been decided that the revised pension and family pension with effect from January 1, 2016, in respect of all Central civil pensioners and family pensioners, including Central Armed Police Forces, who retired/died prior to January 1, 2016, may be revised by notionally fixing their pay in the pay matrix recommended by the seventh CPC in the level corresponding to the pay in the pay scale/pay band and grade pay at which they retired/died,” orders issued by the department said.These orders, however, do not cover retired High Court and Supreme Court judges, constitutional and statutory authorities as well as Armed Forces pensioners, for whom separate orders will be issued by the appropriate authority.The notional pay fixation will be done under each intervening pay commission based on the formula for revision of pay. It has also been decided that higher of the two formulations, that is, the pension already revised and being disbursed or the revised pension as worked out in accordance with the new orders, shall be granted, the orders said.The arrears on account of revision of pension would be admissible with effect from January 1, 2016, only and no claims for the period before this would be accepted.

Judges not in ambit

• The new orders do not cover retired High Court and Supreme Court judges, constitutional and statutory authorities as well as Armed Forces pensioners

Zakir, alias Musa

Srinagar, May 12

Hizbul Mujahideen leader Zakir, alias Musa, has warned Hurriyat leaders that their heads will be chopped off and hung in the Lal Chowk here for interfering in the militant group’s “struggle for Islam”.

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In an audio, which has gone viral on social media, Zakir is heard saying: “I am warning all those hypocrite Hurriyat leaders. They must not interfere in our Islamic struggle. If they do, we will cut their heads and hang them in Lal Chowk”.

The militant leader asserted that his outfit was clear in its motives of “fighting to impose a Shariat in Kashmir and not resolving the Kashmir issue by calling it a political struggle”.

“Those leaders should know that the struggle is for Islam, for Shariat,” he was heard saying in the over five-minute audio clip. IANS could not confirm the authenticity of the audio clip.

Urging the people of Kashmir to unite against the Hurriyat’s “hycocrisy”, Zakir says: “We should all love our religion and we should realise that we are fighting for Islam. If the Hurriyat leaders think it is not so, then why have we been hearing the slogan ‘Azaadi ka matlab kya — La ilaha il Allah’, why have they (Hurriyat groups) been using mosques in their politics?” The Hizbul Mujahideen has been waging a silent battle to upstage the Hurriyat Conference since the 2016 uprising. Last week, the militant outfit also released a statement asking women protesters to not come on the roads to protest.

Militants from the group are also believed to be behind the killing of Kashmiri Army officer Ummer Fayaz earlier this week. — IANS

In Kashmir, armed forces & social media warriors are in a hybrid war situation. The fastest-finger-first urge has to be restrained by both. Intent to dominate the information domain & physical space in south Kashmir is thwarted by the lack of Vajpayee-Mufti political initiatives.

REAPING DIVIDENDS?: Soldiers fan out during an operation against suspected rebels in Shopian sector, south of Srinagar on May 4, 2017.

Operation Clean Up resumes after 17 years to breach the quadrilateral of unrest

IT is not often that you will find analyses of individual operations of the security forces in the media. However, when you witness a revisit to tactics of the past, those done away 17 years ago, perhaps such a review may be pertinent. Technology has enabled the spread of diverse information in the intervening period that the degree of interest in the public on such issues has multiplied manifold. In the backdrop of the heinous act by the Pak Army-terrorist combine in Poonch on April 30, 2017 military operations on the LoC also occupy greater space.When the Army moved two brigades from Udhampur into Kashmir in August-September 2016 in the wake of large-scale disturbances which had paralysed governance, one knew it was a dire requirement. No military institution ever teaches how such large forces are to be employed in classic hybrid situations to restore order. All that was needed with these forces was the occupation of the space in South Kashmir which had been vacated over time to plug infiltration at the LoC. It was important to back up the JK Police to reoccupy the vacated police stations, bolster the confidence of the force which had been targeted in a much focused way and regain/re-establish the “moral ascendancy” of the Army which may have diluted. The Army did it that way, ensuring it sent a “strong message” of its presence and that it would not resort to any wrong means to control the situation, even in the face of serious provocation which was underway.Those brigades have probably withdrawn and the situation in South Kashmir has worsened in many ways in 2017. In my years with Victor Force of the Rashtriya Rifles (RR), I always considered the quadrilateral formed by Bijbehara, Kulgam, Shopian and Pulwama (see map) as the citadel which needed to be breached. That is the very area causing much concern today although Central Kashmir has also witnessed the same. The recent incidents of bank robberies and the ambush on the cash van of the J&K Bank, leading to the killing of five JK policemen (all from Kashmir) and two local bank security men cannot be glossed over. The message is there is no remorse in the killing of locals if they stand in the way. No doubt, Kashmiris have lost their lives at the altar of local terrorist actions in the past and even targeted killings have taken place but a lack of condemnation and an expression of happiness by locals is disturbing. This is a reversal of much that had been gained. It signifies the stronger entry of Pakistani terror groups and influences without which such a trend would seldom be witnessed. In the past, Pakistani terror groups have announced their domination through some heinous acts such as minority killings and massacres of innocents. It is something the security set-up in Kashmir should be wary of. Thus Operation Clean Up launched on 4 May hasn’t come anytime too soon. It’s a joint operation of the Army’s RR, CRPF and the JK Police. In purely military operational terms, it is aimed at regaining control that may be perceived to be in contention, not necessarily lost. The last time large formation sized search and destroy operations (SADO) or cordon-and-search operations (CASO) were conducted was in 1999-2000. In the Hafruda forest belt jungle searches have been a norm even in recent years. The Army’s strategic reserve was in the Valley as a follow-up to Kargil and was employed both for “jungle bashing” and search of semi-urban areas. It had its effect, sending home the resolve of the state. While many recoveries of logistics material of terror groups were made, the ensuing effect was the killing of terrorists who did not have the sustenance to survive in their hideouts. More importantly, the psychological message was sent that the Army would always resort to any type of operations to ensure its operational and tactical domination. Since then the Army has calibrated its concept of operations restricting these to intelligence-based ones or small CASOs so as not to cause unnecessary inconvenience to the public. This was progressive revision of concepts. Conflict progression moved towards conflict stabilisation and was in sync with the political initiatives of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. Hybrid war situations like all military situations are always dynamic; no use of bemoaning lost opportunities. They will always return and perhaps one may be better prepared for them then. What should be expected from Operation Clean Up? Is the return to tactics of yore worth it, especially since not much seems to have been achieved in terms of apprehensions, neutralised terrorists or recovery of warlike stores?General Bipin Rawat, the Army Chief has invested a lot in the current operation, having personally visited HQ 15 Corps to take stock of plans and give last-minute directions. These operations usually commence late at night, with cordons being established. The population is asked to vacate houses early morning and then search is carried out. The difference from the “crackdowns” of the 1990s is the large-scale presence of the media in all these villages and townships. Clearly, the operation was not pushed to limits as stone-throwing emanated and the security forces did not use coercive power, their intent being focused on the terrorist element.The operation appears only a demonstration of intent and not more.There will be difference of opinion on whether more coercion should have been used against stone-throwers and their leaders. Obviously, this is being carefully calibrated. Two things are important if the messaging has to be correct. The information domain needs as much domination as the physical space of South Kashmir. The negativism against India at the recent UN Human Rights Review Meet proves how far we are from effectively projecting India’s stance. Second, return to old tactics in a calibrated way for a necessary reason is fully justifiable as street and terrorist violence was spiralling out of control. What must accompany this is an engagement not of separatists or their cohorts but a set of people who believe in India. As stabilisation of the security situation begins, the India supporters can be strengthened. It must also be continuously demonstrated that Kashmir has distinct advantages by being part of India. Soft power can never be divorced from hard power in workable strategies; only one has to know where and in what quantum soft power must be applied. Demonstration of intent must be as focused as much as the hinterland. The best psychological message at the LoC is always evident when commanders on the ground have the freedom to act. Under the circumstances there should be complete empowerment, subject to fitment into overall strategy. The writer, a former GOC of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps, is now associated with the Vivekanand International Foundation.

GSLV-F09 carrying South Asia Communication Satellite lifts off from Sriharikota spaceport on Friday. — AFP

Chennai, May 5

An Indian rocket with the over 2-tonne South Asian Satellite blasted off from the Sriharikota spaceport on Friday evening.Precisely at 4.57 pm, the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F09) rose into sky from the second launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre at the spaceport in Andhra Pradesh.  (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)The 49 metre-tall, 415-tonne rocket will sling into orbit, the 2,230-kg South Asia Satellite is intended as an ‘India’s Gift’ for use by its fellow South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) nations save Pakistan, which had opted out, stating “it has its own space programme”.Read more: South Asia Satellite: Heralding regional cooperation through space diplomacyIn his message, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Successful launch of South Asian Satellite is a historic moment. It opens up new horizons of engagement.” I congratulate the team of scientists who worked hard for the successful launch of South Asia Satellite. We are very proud of them,” he said.Read: Pak blames India for exclusion from ‘SAARC Satellite’ projectIn 2014, Modi had tasked the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to develop a satellite for use by the Saarc countries.Costing around Rs 235 crore, the satellite was initially known as the Saarc satellite but with Pakistan deciding to keep out, it is now called the South Asia Satellite. Its life span is over 12 years.In his most recent monthly radio address ‘Mann Ki Baat’, Modi said the South Asia Satellite will go a long way in addressing the region’s economic and developmental priorities.“Natural resources mapping, telemedicine, the field of education, deeper IT connectivity or fostering people-to-people contact, this satellite will prove to be a boon in the progress of the entire region.”It is an important step by India to enhance cooperation with the entire South Asia…It is an invaluable gift. This is an appropriate example of our commitment towards South Asia. I welcome all the South Asian countries who have joined us on this momentous endeavour,” he had said.According to an official, the ISRO on an experimental basis decided to have electric power for the satellite.”We have not reduced the volume of the traditional on-board fuel because of the electric power. We have added electric power facility to check its performance for use in future satellites,” the official told IANS.He said the next satellite with electric power will be the GSAT-20 slated for launch in 2018.The GSLV is a three-stage/engine rocket. The core of the first stage is fired with solid fuel while the four strap-on motors by liquid fuel. The second is the liquid fuel and the third is the cryogenic engine. — IANS

NEW DELHI : A ‘Wall of Valour’ — displaying portraits of 21 soldiers decorated with Param Veer Chakra – which is proposed to be erected at over 1,000 educational institutions in the country will be a voluntary project with no government funding, human resource development minister Prakash Javadekar said here on Tuesday.

HRD minister Prakash Javadekar honours Param Vir Chakra awardees Yogendra Singh Yadav and Sanjay Singh at the launch of the’Vidya, Veerta Abhiyaan’ in New Delhi on Tuesday. PTI

Launching the Centre’s campaign ‘Vidya, Veerta Abhiyan’here on Tuesday, Union human resource development minister Prakash Javadekar, said these walls would be built on “contributory funding” by students and teachers on a “voluntary” basis.

“Organising such events help in changing atmosphere in our colleges and universities. It is just to revive the patriotic feeling in our youth. We are not interested in teaching lessons of patriotism to anyone as it is innate in every individual. But its continuous revival is a dire need. We do not want to force it,” said Javadekar at the function that was attended by vice-chancellors of universities and principals of schools, among others.

Emphasising that the construction of the wall would be voluntary and that Centre will not issue grants for the purpose, he said. “We live a protected life because of our brave soldiers. Students and teachers should be encouraged to pool in money to do this. It is for a good cause,” he said.

He also condemned the killing of two Indian soldiers and the mutilation of their bodies by Pakistan and said there is anger across the country over the barbaric act.

“It is important that we have portraits of such soldiers in our universities to create passion and enthusiasm among youngsters”.

Institutions will collect funds individually to fund the project. “We leave it on our students and universities how to do it. Having such a wall will definitely change the atmosphere of the campus. Patriotism already exists within but the wall will help rejuvenate those feelings. It is a very good concept but it should come naturally and not be forced upon the institutions or students. So this will not be done through an order but people can do it voluntarily,” said HRD minister Prakash Javadekar.

Under the campaign universities, schools and colleges will set up walls measuring 15 X 20 feet and featuring portraits of 21 soldiers decorated with the Param Veer Chakra.

The idea of having a wall of martyrs in universities was first proposed by a group of exservicemen who had last year approached JNU Vice Chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar, saying portraits of martyrs and tanks used in wars should be put on display in the campus to instill sense of “nationalism” and “patriotism” among the students.

The demand came amid a raging debate on nationalism following a sedition row on campus over an event during which antinational slogans were allegedly raised.

Army men near the Tral encounter site in Pulwama. file photo

Azhar Qadri

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, May 30

A militant, who was accompanying Hizbul Mujahideen commander Sabzar Bhat and another associate, survived the fierce night-long gunfight last week and emerged unharmed from the rubble of a damaged house, according to eyewitnesses and a video that recorded the aftermath of the firefight.The militant appeared unharmed from the damaged house at Soimoh village in Tral sub-district, where Hizbul Mujahideen commander Sabzar Bhat and teenaged militant Faizan Bhat were killed in the gunfight on Saturday.Eyewitnesses and locals said a militant emerged alive from the rubble, which had been cordoned off for nearly 16 hours.“It was the same house where Sabzar was trapped. When the gunfight ended, people rushed to the house. They found a militant when they removed the debris,” a local said.A dramatic video shot by an eyewitness captured the moment when the militant emerged out of the rubble of the damaged house and was welcomed by a jubilant slogan-shouting crowd. The video appears to confirm the witness accounts.The video shows a shocked young man in a camouflage T-shirt emerging from the rubble as he is whisked away by sympathisers.Another resident said two militants had survived the gunfight and were found alive in the rubble. At least one militant had later appeared at the funeral of Sabzar and had identified himself as the survivor of the gunfight.It is rare for militants to survive prolonged gun battles. The gunfights are usually followed by detailed mopping up and clearance operations.

Cops verifying details

• A senior police officer said that the police were verifying the reports that some militants might have escaped from the site of the gunfight. At least three militants were suspected to have been trapped in the cordon, and out of them two were killed, the officer said.

‘Mismanagement under previous govt to blame for rot in education’

Any plans to rationalise teacher deployment?

Yes, we are also going to focus on rationalisation of teacher deployment. I have already cancelled all deputation orders of teachers because this system was being misused to move to schools in urban areas without getting posted there. What is the fault of children studying in rural schools, particularly those located in border areas? This cannot be allowed to go on. We are going to take corrective action. A detail revamp plan is being prepared to improve basic infrastructure and the quality of education in government schools. If the government cannot provide even basic infrastructure, what is the point? I will meet the finance minister to identify things that can be done on priority.

Teacher absenteeism is a huge problem and one of the reasons for poor results. How do you plan to tackle it?

Though there have been suggestions to install biometric attendance system, it has not been very successful elsewhere. Also, it is a costly proposition. I have given a suggestion that a cluster of 15 schools can be created and the senior-most teacher in the cluster deployed to carry out inspection and ensure presence of all other teachers. He or she can be told to send daily report to the department. Nothing is final yet. But we may start this in some secondary schools on a pilot basis.

The central government gives substantial amount of funds under various programmes. Why does the education department fail to utilise these year after year?

The Centre did not give even half the promised funds last year. They did not sanction the money required for the education sector in the state. Also, the state was not able to contribute its share. But it will be a priority with our government.

Plan to get Qila Mubarak on UNESCO heritage site list

PATIALA :The Punjab government has mooted a plan to get included 250-year-old historic Qila Mubarak, the ancestral house of Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh in the list of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) world heritage sites. This was disclosed by Punjab tourism and cultural minister Navjot Singh Sidhu, who was here on Sunday. A team of the UNESCO, along with Sidhu, will visit Qila Mubarak on Tuesday in this regard.

The fort was first built by Baba Ala Singh, the founder of Phulkian royalty, to which Amarinder Singh belongs. It was first built as Mud Fortress in 1763 and later it was reconstructed with baked bricks.

Captain Amarinder always starts his election campaign by visiting Qila Mubarak where Burj of Ala Singh has been built.

Spread over nearly 10 acres, the Qila is situated in the heart of the city and it consists a Ran Bass (guest house) and the Darbar Hall, from where Amarinder’s anscestors ruled Patiala state, and 13 royal chambers with precious paintings on walls. The fort was having underground water sewerage system. The Darbar Hall contains rare cannons, swords, a shield, a sword of Nadir Shah etc.

Presently, the Archaeological Survey of India, along with Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), is undertaking restoration work. The Union government has sanctioned ₹38 crore for its restoration work. Once it is notified as a UNESCO site, a large sum will be released to preserve it and develop it as a tourist site. At present, there are 35 UNSECO-declared world heritage sites in India, but not a single one is listed in Punjab.

“Persevering heritage is need of the hour, as like other foreign countries like Italy, France, England did. I will personally remain present during the visit of the team, so that we can put a better case to get the heritage site status for this Qila, which will boost tourism in Punjab”, said Sidhu, during his maiden visit to his home town.

He said that Punjab tourism will start “Maharaja circuit” tourism, in which cultural heritage of Patiala, Zind, Nabha and Kapurthala royal estates will be shown to tourists. “These places need good facilities to woo tourists, which the tourism department will provide,” he added. He said that a cultural policy is almost prepared and will be released soon.

Later Sidhu, who also holds the portfolio of local bodies minister, held a meeting with former member of Parliament (MP) Preneet Kaur, and chalked out a plan for development of the city and said that the work on the solid waste management plant will be started in two months, while a detailed development plan will be announced later.

ABOUT THE FORT

Spread over nearly 10 acres, the fort is situated in the heart of Patiala city and it consists a Ran Bass (guest house) and Darbar Hall, from where Amarinder Singh’s anscestors ruled the princely state of Patiala The fort was first built by Baba Ala Singh, the founder of Phulkian royalty, to which Amarinder belongs The Archaeological Survey of India, along with Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage has undertaken restoration work

‘GO LOCAL’ IS SIDHU STYLE THESE DAYS

“Go local” appears to be the mantra of local bodies minister Navjot Singh Sidhu. He makes sure that all local MLAs of the Congress are with him when he goes to any inauguration or function. The aim appears to be to give the message of unity. At the inauguration of sewerage cleaning system in Amritsar, Sidhu came with all local legislators – OP Soni, Inderbir Bolaria, Sunil Datti and Raj Kumar Verka. But that was not all. When a supporter started raising slogans of ‘Navjot Sidhu Zindabad’, the minister got visibly upset and scolded him publicly. All other MLAs of the city were also present at that time.

Capt to look into mining contract row: Jakhar

CHANDIGARH: The Congress leaders assured that Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh is looking into the allegations that state irrigation and power minister Rana Gurjit Singh has acquired mines through ‘benaami transactions’ and assured that the state government is committed to uphold the trust of people.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has demanded sacking of the minister, while the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have demanded probe into the allegations that he acquired sand and gravel mines in the name of his company’s cook and staff.

However, Rana Gurjit has denied the charges and said that neither he nor his company — Rana Sugars Limited — has any direct or indirect stakes in the sand mining business.

Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar said, “Captain Sahib (Amarinder Singh) is looking into the matter and getting all the details.”

“Congress and Captain are aware of the fact that people have voted for the party and reposed their faith in it. I can assure you on behalf of the CM and the party that we will uphold the trust,” he said.

A week back, a two-day e-auction of sand mines in Punjab culminated with bids worth ₹1,026 crore secured for 89 mines, the highest-ever earnings for the state from sand mining sector.

Opposition parties, including the Shiromani Akali Dal and Bharatiya Janata Party have pointed fingers at the allotment of mining contracts to Amit Bahadur for ₹26.51 crore, Kulvinder Paul Singh for ₹9.21 crore, Gurinder Singh for ₹4.11 crore and Balraj Singh for ₹10.58 crore.

However, Rana Gurjit said, “Some of my former employees had reportedly bid for the mines. That does not imply that I have interests or stakes in the business.”

“There are thousands of employees who have worked with me and left from time-totime. I cannot be held accountable for what they do after leaving my companies,” added the irrigation and power minister, Rana Gurjit Singh.

People won’t forgive Kejriwal for cheating them: Chhotepur

Kejriwal collected large amount of money from Punjabi NRIs in the name of eradicating corruption from country but now his party workers are accusing him of corruption. SUCHA SINGH CHHOTEPUR, APP president

GURDASPUR: Aapna Punjab Party (APP) president Sucha Singh Chhotepur said that Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal will meet a sad end in politics. Chhotepur said this while talking to media at Kalanaur, 25 km from here on Sunday.

“People will not forgive Kejriwal as he cheated them in the name of bringing revolution in the politics of country,” said Chhotepur.

He said Kejriwal had collected large amount of money from the Punjabi non-resident Indians (NRIs) in the name of eradicating corruption from country.

“Now Kejriwal’s party men are accusing him of corruption,” he said.

Chhotepur said that the Delhi chief minister ,who had dreamt of becoming the Prime Minister of the country misled the innocent people.

The Aapna Punjab Party president said that the team of observers sent here with ‘chappals ’by Kejriwal, before the Punjab Vidhan Sabha-2017, returned in branded costly wears owing to their corrupt practices while distributing tickets among the party candidates.

“I will contest in the coming Gurdaspur parliamentary bypoll if party workers decide so,” he said.

TRANSPORT MESS

Cong, Akali stakes: Govt takes foot off the pedal

No call yet on 5,000-odd illegal route extensions

A review of the permits and licences issued since 1997 has revealed that a majority of the illegal route extensions were okayed prior to 2011. tribune file photo

Rajmeet Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 28

Congress and Akali leaders’ stakes in the transport business are apparently restricting the state government from taking a tough stand on the cancellation of about 5,000 illegal route extensions granted prior to 2011.Cancelling these extensions against 1,400 permits/licences in the wake of the Punjab and Haryana High Court order would mean stalling the operations of transport companies run by top politicians.

These companies’ buses are plying on the monopoly routes, including national highways.A review of the permits/licences issued since 1997 has revealed that a majority of the illegal route extensions had been okayed prior to 2011. It was in December 2011 that the then SAD-BJP government had tweaked the original scheme formulated in August 1990 to legalise these operations.Jasbir Singh Grewal, general secretary of the Punjab Small-Scale District Bus Operator Association, said, “The CM should talk to all bus operators’ associations so that a level playing field can be ensured in the transport business. Musclemen of private operators are still making their presence felt. A transparent time table should be prepared to end all illegal route extensions.”While the Advocate General (AG) is vetting the new transport policy, there is no word so far on the cancellation of the illegal route extensions. “The extensions struck down by the High Court should not be linked with the transport policy,” an official said. The policy is likely to be tabled before the Cabinet during its meeting on May 30.Sources in the Transport Department said a list of all permits/licences issued since 1997 had been prepared.Meanwhile, the illegal operations of integral AC coaches, running on contract carriage permits between Punjab and the Delhi airport, are also yet to be stopped.

ATTACK ON SIKHS

Sarpanch arrested in Rajasthan

Minorities panel to take up matter on June 2

Yash Goyal

Jaipur, May 28

The Rajasthan Police have so far arrested six persons, including the sarpanch of Chainpura village in Ajmer district, for allegedly thrashing and assaulting four Sikh “sewadars” last month.The Rajasthan State Commission for Minorities has summoned the victims, accused and the Ajmer SP on June 2.On the complaint of a victim, Harpal Singh of Khairtal in Alwar district, an FIR has been lodged at Nasirabad Sadar police station against six persons, ADGP (Law and Order) N Ravindra Kumar Reddy told The Tribune today.The accused, including sarpanch Ramdev Singh, were booked under Sections 295 A and 298 (hurting religious sentiments), 143, 341, 323, the ADGP said.Besides the sarpanch, others who have been arrested are Shravan Singh Rawat, Raju Singh Rawat, Bhanwar Singh Rawat, Manna Singh Rawat, and Vijay Singh Rawat.State Minorities Commission Chairman Jasbeer Singh said he had summoned all parties for personal appearance on June 2. The commission would probe the case independently and submit its report to the Centre and the Chief Minister at the earliest, Singh said.Flaying the incident, state Congress vice-president Dr Archna Sharma alleged that the minorities were not safe in BJP-ruled states. “In the video, the police were seen standing as mute spectators when the sewadars were being beaten up by upper caste people,” she alleged. Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh yesterday spoke to his Rajasthan counterpart Vasundhara Raje demanding strict action against those involved in the incident.

Mistaken identity?

• Four sewadars of a gurdwara were thrashed by members of the Rawat community at Chainpura village in Ajmer district of Rajasthan on April 24 where they had gone to seek donations. They were mistaken as thieves or kidnappers. A video of the incident had gone viral on social media on May 25.

Sangrur takes lead in closing liquor vends

Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, May 28

Like last year, the district again leads in closing liquor vends in villages this time. In all, 21 liquor vends have been closed in as many villages of the district.The movement against liquor was started from Sangrur by several NGOs in 2009. Since then, the district has been leading every year in closing liquor vends.The NGOs today announced to intensify their campaign against liquor.“Last year, 34 liquor vends were closed in the district. The decline in number does not mean that panchayats are losing interest in the campaign, but the success rate of resolutions. Last year, 53 resolutions were passed against liquor vends while, this year, 22 resolutions were passed – 21 for closing vends and one for shifting a vend. All were accepted,” said AS Mann, president, Scientific Awareness and Social Welfare Forum (SASWF).Members of the SASWF, Red Cross De-Addiction Centre, Sangrur, and Samaj Bhalai Manch, Sherpur, have been visiting several villages of the district and organising seminars to spread awareness about the rights of panchayats to pass resolutions against liquor vends. To date, NGOs have organised 107 seminars in several villages.Since 2009, panchayats in the district have passed 371 resolutions against liquor vends. The state excise authorities have received 908 resolutions from across the state. In all, 493 vends have been closed to date, out of which 158 have been from Sangrur district.Mohan Sharma, Director of a local Red Cross De-addiction Centre, said: “We are receiving youths addicted to alcohol. Liquor contractors are selling alcohol to even minors, which is against norms. Our efforts have started paying as panchayats have started fighting against the liquor mafia.”Sangrur Congress MLA Vijay Inder Singla has been honoring panchayats fighting against liquor vends. “We have been helping panchayats to root out the menace alcohol addiction,” he said.

In ‘low spirits’ With 21 liquor vends closed in Sangrur district this year, it leads the state on this front. It is followed by Patiala (15) and Barnala (9). Next on the list are Hoshiarpur, Bathinda and Mohali, where four vends each have been closed. Three vends each have been closed in Ropar, Ferozepur and Pathankot; two each in Jalandhar, Moga, Ludhiana and Amritsar; and one each in Fatehgarh Sahib, Faridkot, Kapurthala and Gurdaspur.

Former CM in no mood to put his feet up

Tours Lambi to express condolences over deaths

Parkash Singh Badal at the residence of a labourer in Lambi constituency in Muktsar on Sunday. Tribune photo

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Lambi, May 28

In spite of temperature hovering around 45 degree Celsius, former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal (89) toured his home constituency Lambi today.He visited 18 families in four villages to express condolences at the death of their relatives.He visited two houses at Lohara village, one at Warring Khera, five at Ghumiara and 10 at Vanwala village. Most of the houses he visited were of poor and Dalit families.Badal said, “I am not doing any favour to these people. This is the duty of every elected representative to meet people of his area. I spend three hours every day to meet people, poor or rich. A politician sometimes is unable to attend weddings because of his busy schedule, but it is his duty to visit everyone in times of grief.”He criticised Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh for being unapproachable. “He doesn’t meet anyone.”On Shiromani Akali Dal’s policy to target the Congress government, Badal said, “Everyone knows the Congress will not fulfil the promises announced in its election manifesto. But we are giving the government time to perform. When it fails to fulfil the promises, we will target them.”The former Chief Minister sought the resignation of Power Minister Rana Gurjit Singh, whose cook Amit Bahadur bagged a Rs 26-crore sand mining contract.“The minister should have resigned. The question is from where he got such a big amount. Even the rich don’t have such a big amount,” Badal added.

Order ignored, HC for officer’s presence

Saurabh Malik

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 28

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has told the then Principal Secretary KJS Cheema to be present before the Bench to explain the non-compliance of an order passed in the functioning of Centre for Training and Employment of Punjab Youth (C-PYTE).The direction by Justice Augustine George Masih came on a contempt petition filed against Cheema and another respondent by Lajpat Singh Bains.Taking up the plea in January, the Bench had observed that an affidavit dated March 17, 2015, filed by Cheema in the matter was, prima facie, contrary to findings recorded in the “vigilance inquiry report”.“It appears that there is a deliberate attempt to shield the ex-Director General, C-PYTE.

Let the officer concerned explain the observation,” the court observed.As the case came up for hearing, the counsel for the state submitted that he had not received instructions despite communication of the order passed by the court. He also prayed for time to comply with the order. Justice Masih granted time for the purpose.The HC had in September 2012 directed the government to refer the matter to the Vigilance Department for an investigation. The direction came on a petition filed by Bains for a probe into the functioning of C-PYTE.T

the department was asked to look into the recruitment made by C-PYTE after the issuance of an advertisement on January 31, 2010.The directions came after a short affidavit was filed by Department of Employment Generation and Training under secretary, stating that an inquiry was conducted by the Department of Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes against a member of the selection committee. “In the preliminary inquiry, the respondent was found guilty of omission and commission at the time when the recruitment was made,” the affidavit said.

VB detects irregularities in repair at Harike headworks

The probe indicates misappropriation of funds sanctioned for desilting of the 55,000-ft-long canal.Tribune file photo

Sanjeev Singh Bariana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 28

A Vigilance probe has found illegal allotment and irregularities in the execution of projects regarding the repair of Harike headworks and mining in the area.Sources said the probe indicated misappropriation of funds sanctioned for desilting of the 55,000-ft-long canal from Gurditiwala head to Balewala head. Also under probe were repair of Harike headworks and filling of hollow spaces in Ferozepur feeder canal.A probe report has been submitted to the VB headquarters by SSP Vigilance (Jalandhar) Daljinder Singh Dhillon, who was assisted by Ravinder Kumar Bakshi, SSP Vigilance (Amritsar), in the investigation.Refusing to divulge probe details before a formal announcement by the VB, a senior officer said: “We have submitted a detailed report. Findings confirm large-scale illegalities in the irrigation works in the area.”The officer said a noticeable fall in the collection of sand mining after the probe started in March confirmed that several projects in earlier mining activity were illegal.Following up the lead of no mining records in several dispatch registers, the bureau established that payments were being made against wrong estimates. There was a big difference in the project estimates and the actual payments. The figures of actual payments made were found higher than the estimated figures.The repair of Harike headworks was necessitated as almost 1,200 cusecs of water was wasted on account of leakage, official figures said. In the past 13 years, the headworks had never been closed for repair. Of the 31 gates at Harike, 14 are not operational. Other gates, too, needed repair.At present, the headworks is closed for repair. The canal system, built in 1958, demanded regular repair and desilting and there had been a delay this time, the sources said.

Aujla meets martyr’s family

Aujla meets martyr’s family
MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla (right) at the residence of martyr Lakhwinder Singh in Helar village on Sunday. Tribune photo
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, May 28
MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla today met the family of martyr constable Lakhwinder Singh of 31st battalion CRPF at Helar village. Lakhwinder was part of the massive counterinsurgency operation against Naxals in Chattisgarh a few years ago. Several Maoist leaders were killed in that operation.
Lakhwinder’s bravery in this operation earned him President’s Police Gallantry Medal posthumously. He is survived by his wife and two kids.
His younger brother constable Gurdev Singh served in the 24 Punjab regiment. He was a part of anti-militancy operation in the Uri sector in 2004. He was awarded President’s Sena Medal in 2004. After the death of Lakhwinder, Gurdev contacted the MLA of the constituency and requested for a local job so that he may stay close to his family. After getting the nod, he resigned from the Army in 2013, but later, he didn’t get a positive response from the MLA, so he joined the Defence Security Corps in 2014. Gurdev has urged Aujla to arrange a job for the children of Lakhwinder. Aujla said he would take up the issue with the Chief Minister.

2 PAP officers appointed as SHOs against norms

 

Gagandeep Sharma

Bathinda, May 27

Two inspectors of Bathinda police, Davinder Singh and Kulwinder Singh, have been appointed as law and order officers. Both of them belong to the Punjab Armed Police and have been serving as SHO in the Kotwali and the Canal Colony police stations, respectively.As per the norms, an inspector or a sub-inspector cannot serve as a Station House Officer in any police district. A law and order officer has not been appointed in any of the 18 police stations of Bathinda district.SSP Naveen Singla has appointed Majer Singh and Prabhjot Kaur as Station House Officers of the Kotwali and Canal Colony police station, respectively, but only for paper works.Davinder Singh was appointed as the law and order officer in April and Kulwinder Singh was appointed at the post earlier this week.However, a letter released by the then DGP’s office on August 18, 2009, stated that armed battalions and districts police have different cadre up to the rank of sub-inspector under the Punjab Police Act 2007.As per the order, an inspector and a sub-inspector cannot occupy the post of SHO, Additional SHO, investigative officer etc. Also, they are not eligible to be posted in specialised units, such as the CIA, Economic Offences Wing, PO Staff, Anti-Gunda Staff etc.They can only be eligible for the post of District Armed Reserves and under various heads in the police lines.When contacted, Bathinda SSP Navin Singla said Davinder Singh and Kulwinder Singh were experienced officers. They had been shifted to the district police to take the benefit of their expertise.

 

Majid Jahangir

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, May 27

After top militant Burhan Wani’s killing in July last year, security forces today tasted their first major success when they gunned down his close aide and Hizbul Mujahideen commander Sabzar Ahmed Bhat along with one of his associates in south Kashmir’s Tral area of Pulwama district. The killing of Sabzar (27), alias Sahbeh Don, has ignited fresh tension in the Valley. A civilian was also killed in the “crossfire”.The encounter took place at Saimoh village, some 40 km from Srinagar, when a joint operation was launched last evening by the J&K Police, Army’s 42 Rashtriya Rifles battalion and the CRPF’s 180 battalion following a specific input about the presence of three militants.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)As the forces were moving towards the village, the hiding militants fired at them, triggering a brief gunfight. The security forces maintained a tight cordon around the village the entire night and resumed the operation against the militants hiding in a house early in the morning.“A fierce gunfight ensued as the forces approached the suspected house, which left Sabzar and Faizan Muzzaffar dead,” a police officer said. Video received on WhatsApp from unidentified senderJ&K Director General of Police Shesh Paul Vaid termed the killing of the militant commander as a “major success” for the security forces.The civilian who was killed has been identified as Aqib Ahmed of Tral. While the locals said he died in “firing by forces” while they were trying to march towards the gunfight site, the police said he died in the “crossfire”. There are reports that a militant who was trapped may have managed to escape.As the news about the militant commander’s death spread, an instant shutdown was observed and there were clashes in many parts of the Valley. At several places, the forces had to use teargas and fire into the air to disperse stone-throwing crowds.

The clashes left several people injured. The killing of Burhan, a resident of Tral, had led to a five-month-long unrest that left nearly 90 persons dead and thousands injured.Meanwhile, the separatists have called for a shutdown on Sunday and Monday to protest the killing of militants and civilians. They have also called for a march to Tral on May 30. Meanwhile, curfew will be imposed in seven police station areas of Srinagar tomorrow to prevent the spread of violent protests.

Shutdown in Kashmir due to protests over killing of Hizbul commander

A spontaneous shutdown was on Saturday observed in the Kashmir Valley. Tribune filr

Srinagar, May 27

A spontaneous shutdown was on Saturday observed in the Kashmir Valley following violent protests in the wake of killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Sabzar Ahmad Bhat, even as a person was injured in Anantnag during clashes with security forces.Bhat, who succeeded Burhan Wani, was killed along with another militant in an encounter with security forces in Tral area of Kashmir’s Pulwama district.Soon after the killings, stone-pelting protests started at around 50 places, including Tral in Pulwama and Khanabal in Anantnag in south Kashmir, the police said.A person in Mattan area in the district was injured during clashes with security forces, they said.The situation across the Valley is tense. Unnerved people rushed to their homes, leading to traffic snarls on certain routes. The schools closed three hours early. PTI

Mobile internet services suspended in Kashmir

Srinagar, May 27

Mobile internet services were suspended in Kashmir Valley on Saturday as a precautionary measure in the wake of killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Sabzar Ahmad Bhat in an encounter with security forces in Tral.Mobile internet services have been snapped across the Valley since the afternoon, officials said. However, BSNL broadband service was functioning normally, they said.The officials said the services were suspended as a precautionary measure to check rumour-mongering following protests at various places against Bhat’s killing at Tral on Saturday morning.The mobile internet suspension comes hours after the government lifted a month-long ban on 22 social networking websites and apps in the Valley. PTI

Separatists call for bandh after protests in Valley over killing of Hizb commander

Srinagar, May 27

Separatists in the Kashmir Valley have called for a two-day shutdown from Sunday over the “use of force” against the protesters following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Sabzar Ahmad Bhat on Saturday in an encounter with security forces in Pulwama district.The separatists also called for a march to Tral, in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, on May 30 to pay tributes to Bhat and seven other militants killed in two separate encounters in the Valley on Saturday.While Bhat, who succeeded Burhan Wani, was killed along with another militant in Soimoh village of Tral, the security forces foiled a major infiltration bid along the Line of Control in Rampur sector in north Kashmir’s Uri, killing six militants.A civilian was killed allegedly in cross-firing between militants and security forces during the encounter in Tral area. At least 30 people have been injured in the clashes between protesters and security forces in different parts of the Valley.“We condemn the use of brute force against the unarmed civilians, injuring hundreds of them and call for a strike on Sunday and Monday,” a joint statement from separatists–chairmen of both factions of Hurriyat Conference, Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and JKLF chief Yasin Malik, said here.The separatists asked people in the Valley to turn up in large numbers in Tral on Tuesday to pay tributes to the slain militants.They said that calling for a strike had become necessary to protest the “state terrorism” unleashed by the forces on the civilian protesters. PTI

VISIT OF EX-MP PAWAN BANSAL TO C-PYTE( CENTRE FOR TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT FOR PUNJAB YOUTH)

FREE 3 MONTHS PRE-RECRUITMENT TRAINING FOR PUNJAB YOUTH AT C-PYTE CENTRES

PAK, CHINA HOSTILE NEIGHBOURS, WE CAN COUNTER THEM WITH YOUTH POWER: CAPT

ARMY FOILS BAT ATTACK, GUNS DOWN TWO MILITANTS IN URI

SUKHOI WRECKAGE FOUND

PAKISTANI NATIONAL LIVING WITH INDIAN IDENTITY ARRESTED IN HARYANA

WELL SAID, MR PRESIDENT MEDIA CANNOT BE AN INSTRUMENT OF INTOLERANCE

HEMKUND SAHIB OPENS AFTER WINTER CLOSURE

KPS GILL DIES AT 82

PUNJAB NEWS::27 MAY 2017