Chandigarh, December 24
A group of local veterans, joined the Kisan Morcha at the Singhu border today for extending support to the farmers protesting against the new farm laws recently introduced by the Centre.
The veterans said though farmers and rural populace comprise about 80 per cent of India’s population, most MPs and MLAs did not oppose the bills.
The morale of the protesters was high and the camps were well-organised and operating systematically.
Lt Gen SS Mahal, GOC, Kharga Corps, with the victory flame at Ambala Cantt on Thursday.
Tribune News Service
Ambala, December 24
Lt Gen SS Mahal, General Officer Commanding (GOC) Kharga Corps, today received one of the victory flames at an event organised at the Kharga stadium in Ambala Cantonment as part of the Swarnim Vijay Varsh celebrations to commemorate 50 years of the 1971 war.
The victory flame was received by the Deep Strikers Division of the Indian Army at Shaheedi Chowk in Ambala Cantonment.
During the event, a ‘Guard of Honour’ was given to the ‘victory flame’ and a fly-past was also conducted by the Indian Air force. The ‘veer naris’ and veterans were felicitated for their valuable sacrifices in achieving the glorious victory. GOC Kharga Corps highlighted the role of Kharga Corps in the liberation of Bangladesh and exhorted the present generation of soldiers to emulate the highest standards of professional excellence.
The Indian Army is celebrating the ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’ from December 2020 to December 2021.The celebrations commenced with lighting of four ‘victory flames’ by PM Narendra Modi at the National War Memorial at Delhi on December 16. These are being taken to various parts of the country by Army personnel to highlight the sacrifices made by the Indian Armed Forces to achieve this historical victory against Pakistan.
Mahindar Kaur at her native Alloarkh village.
Parvesh Sharma
Tribune News Service
Sangrur, December 24
Anger against the Central farm laws runs so deep that Mahindar Kaur (65) who suffered serious injury in her left leg at the Tikri border during the protest on December 3, following which her photograph appeared in the national media, is unwilling to undergo surgery and has requested doctors to allow her to participate in the stir.
A resident of Alloarkh village of the district, Mahindar fears losing her 1.5 acres of land, which is the only source of livelihood for her family, including two sons, their wives and children.
On December 3 night, she was hit by a speedy vehicle while she was crossing the road at the Tikri border. First she was taken to the PGI-Rohtak by the members of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ugrahan). Later, she was brought back to the Sangrur Civil Hospital, where she was treated for 10 days and then referred to Rajinder Hospital in Patiala. She reached her village 10 days ago. She was unwilling to come back even after suffering serious injuries.
Even after being in a lot of pain, her activism is still brimming as she has started motivating other women, who come to inquire about her health, to join the protest.
When asked whether she had any hope from the Punjab Government or any other political party, she replied in negative. “My only hope is the BKU (Ugrahan), which apart from supporting my family is also paying for my treatment expenses. I do not have any hope from politicians as neither of them has offered any help to me nor any government officer has come forward for my treatment so far. The present stir will give a new direction to Punjab politics and I want to be part of this historic moment.”
Meanwhile, BKU (Ugrahan) Alloarkh village president Gurdev Singh said Mahindar had been adamant to join protest at the earliest. “Doctors have advised us for her operation and we are ready to bear all expenses but she is not ready. She first wants to see the rollback of the ‘black’ laws by sitting in the protest. We are trying to convince her,” said Kashmir Singh, vice-president of Alloarkh village BKU (Ugrahan).
Photo for representation.
Srinagar, December 24
The Army has completed the Summary of Evidence against two of its men involved in July’s Amshipura encounter in south Kashmir’s Shopian district in which three civilians were killed and a possible court martial could take place after completion of formalities, officials said.
General Officer in Command of the strategically located XV Corps Lt Gen BS Raju said the Summary of Evidence has been completed but refused to give away any details of the outcome.
“Yes, the Summary of Evidence has been completed and the Army will take next course of action as per the law,” Lt Raju told PTI here.
The Army had ordered a Court of Inquiry earlier this year after reports appeared on social media that three youths, labelled as terrorists, had been gunned down by its personnel.
The Court of Inquiry, which completed its probe earlier in September, had found “prima facie” evidence that troops had “exceeded” powers under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) during the July 18 encounter in which three men were killed. Following this, the Army had initiated disciplinary proceedings.
Officials in know of the development said the two Army personnel may face court martial proceedings for violating the powers vested under the AFSPA, 1990 and not following the Do’s and Don’ts of Chief of Army Staff as approved by the Supreme Court.
The officials said the accused personnel may face serious charges under the law.
They also said the role of the three civilians as well as the person who had allegedly led the Army to the youths in Amshipura in Shopian needs to be thoroughly examined by the police.
The three civilians killed in Amshipura were Imtiyaz Ahmed, Abrar Ahmed and Mohammed Ibrar, hailing from Rajouri district. Their identities were subsequently confirmed through a DNA test. The bodies were handed over to their families in Baramulla in October.
The role and antecedents of these three youths are also being investigated due to lack of clarity on their intent and actions upon coming to Shopian.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha had visited the families of the three Rajouri youths and expressed condolences. He had also assured the families that the UT government will extend full support to them and ensure that justice is done in the case.
He had also conveyed the message of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the government stands with the aggrieved families, and they will be taken care of with all support from the government.
The officials said the Army has been maintaining high standards of transparency and punishing officials whenever rules are violated. — PTI
Abohar, December 24
Hundreds of farmers staging a dharna for the past 12 days near Shahjahanpur village in Alwar of Rajasthan today decided to move towards Delhi on Friday afternoon.
“We will not return without getting our demands met,” said national vice president of All India Kisan Sabha and former legislator Amra Ram.
Raja Ram Meel of Jat Mahasabha said farmers from Kota, Bundi, Baran, Sriganganagar, Hanumangarh and Churu had been camping at the Shahjahanpur border since December 13. The joint Kisan Morcha, Rajasthan, has decided to move to the Delhi border on Friday. — OC
Makeshift stalls to cater women-specific needs set up at Singhu border
ANI | Updated: Dec 24, 2020 21:25 IST
By Joymala Bagchi
New Delhi [India], December 24 (ANI): To cater to the basic need of women, a makeshift stall has been built at the Singhu border where farmers including women are protesting against the new farm laws imposed by the Centre.
The stall carries women-specific items such as undergarments, sanitary needs, medicines, and ointments at the protest site here.
“We have set the camp here for the last four days. During the distribution of stuff, we found that most women hesitate to ask for these basic things at makeshift medical camps despite the need. So we have decided to come up with these stalls,” said Ramanpreet, a volunteer of the stall while talking to ANI.
Expressing that the women are compromising with their hygiene at the site, Ramanpreet said, “We have come across several women who have developed skin infections along with other hygiene-related issues because of the usage of the same toilets, wearing the same clothes. We are here to help them ease their sufferings,” said the volunteer adding that women farmers participating in the protest faces problems for bathing and changing clothes along with a toilet.
The talks between farmers and the Central government to date has remained inconclusive with scores of farmers sitting at various borders across the national capital as a mark of protest against the new agriculture laws. (ANI) “We have set the camp here for the last four days. During the distribution of stuff, we found that most women hesitate to ask for these basic things at makeshift medical camps despite the need. So we have decided to come up with these stalls,” said Ramanpreet, a volunteer of the stall while talking to ANI.
Expressing that the women are compromising with their hygiene at the site, Ramanpreet said, “We have come across several women who have developed skin infections along with other hygiene-related issues because of the usage of the same toilets, wearing the same clothes. We are here to help them ease their sufferings,” said the volunteer adding that women farmers participating in the protest faces problems for bathing and changing clothes along with a toilet.
The talks between farmers and the Central government to date has remained inconclusive with scores of farmers sitting at various borders across the national capital as a mark of protest against the new agriculture laws. (ANI)
Sangrur, December 24
For many farmer leaders of Punjab, the consumption of liquor is a personal issue and they are unwilling to discuss it during the ongoing protest at Delhi border. But for the leaders of BKU (Ugrahan), which is the largest outfit, the debate must go on over it to convince its members against it.
All of its state panel members have shunned liquor consumption many years back as they say it may have an adverse impact over their fight for farming.
Even during the present protest, the “experienced” leaders, who once used to drink and understand the side-effects, are trying their best to convince maximum number of their members to stay away from liquor.
“Even during our routine meetings, we keep motivating our members to shun liquor. During the present stir, our members are repeatedly trying to motivate our cadre to do so. Our members understand the gravity of the situation and take our advice positively. No one in our state panel consumes liquor,” said Sukhdev Singh Kokri Kalan, general secretary of BKU Ugrahan.
Some young members, while talking to The Tribune, said that they usually have detailed discussions about liquor consumption during their meetings. Their leaders always try to convince them against liquor consumption.
BKU (Ugrahan) chief Joginder Singh Ugrahan admits that he was a hard drinker and stopped liquor consumption after many years. He said volunteers and senior leaders had been making regular checks during the tir and to date, not a single member had been caught with liquor. — TNS
Doctors provide free consultation and treatment to people at Lang village in Patiala. Rajesh Sachar
Ravneet Singh
Tribune News Service
Patiala, December 23
Already providing free medical aid and medicines to farmers at Singhu and Tikri borders, doctors in the state are now providing free consultation and aid to their families back home. The services are being provided in coordination with doctors in various districts.
Dr Balbir Singh, an eye surgeon, who is coordinating the initiative, said, “We have been providing our services at the Singhu border and a team will be on its way to the Tikri border also. We were informed that families of farmers back home were facing health issues as most men are in Delhi for weeks. The aged, women and children staying back can contact doctors on their numbers and seek free consultation and medication from them in their respective areas. This aid will continue till the end of the protest,” he said.
Dr Sandeep Kaur Nagpal, providing services as a general physician in the initiative, said they had released 35 contact numbers of various doctors, including those who are MD in medicine, eye surgeons, physiologists, psychologists and others. The list includes doctors from Fatehgarh Sahib, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Mansa, Bathinda, among others. “Apart from consultation and coordination on phone, some of us have also been visiting various villages to provide medical aid twice a week,” she said.
Dr Balbir Singh said they were expecting that more doctors will join them in providing the services and added, “We are also in touch with veterinarians that will provide free medical aid for the farmers’ cattle. The services will soon begin in Patiala as well.” Meanwhile, the doctors’ teams are providing continuous service at the Delhi borders. Dr Satyan Sharma, a psychiatrist who will be visiting the Tikri border on Wednesday, said the protesting farmers were facing issues due to their age and weather.
Kids attend a class at a community school at the Singhu border.
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, December 24
Concerned about the sanitation at the Singhu border, an NGO started a community school there 10 days ago.
To date, 70 students have enrolled themselves, who attend the makeshift school regularly for three hours everyday.
‘Saanjhi Sath’ started the school to check the hygiene at the protest site. The NGO started distributing garbage bags, brooms and dustbins. “Soon, we noticed a large number of children participating in the struggle. We had some activists who were ready to volunteer as teachers. So, we thought of helping them with their studies,” said Dinesh Chadha, Ropar-based activist, one of the founders of the school.
“We got a better response from children of local migrant workers. Soon, the number of children swelled to 70,” he added.
The students attending classes study Hindi, Punjabi, English and mathamatics. The number of students as well as volunteer teachers has been growing every day.
Navjot Kaur, Kawaljit Kaur, Manpreet Singh and Sonu Chahal are some of the volunteers, who teach the students at the school.
Looking at the response, the NGO has opened another branch at Tikri.
Besides a painting exhibition, two seminars on various topics take place everyday. The topics also cover the farm laws as well as new ways to take the movement to new places.
“We do not know the fate of this struggle. However, children and local residents will remember the protesters as people, who gave something to the society,” Chadha added.
Inspector General of Police and SIT member Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh. File photo
Faridkot, December 23
Inspector General of Police (IG) and SIT member Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh, who is probing the Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan police firing, has expressed concern over how and under what circumstances the accused got a copy of the statement of the approver (Pardeep Singh) in the case.
In response to a petition in the HC by an accused, in which the IG’s removal from the SIT has been sought, Vijay Pratap has submitted an affidavit on December 20.
As the copy of the approver’s statement was not supplied by the prosecution so the accused has abused his official position or his seniors, who are accused in the case to get this document, alleged the IG. It shows that the high-profile accused are creating hindrances in the process of law, he alleged.
About his shifting by the ECI from the organised crime control unit in the run-up to the Lok Sahba poll in April 2019 and him filing the chargesheet against the accused of Kotkapura police firing during this time, the IG said it was backdoor but an unsuccessful attempt by Sukhbir Singh Badal, through one of his supporters to attract the jurisdiction of the ECI in a clandestine manner as his involvement
in firing as well as sacrilege cases had been precisely stated in the chargesheet.
Defending his act of writing a letter to the District and Sessions Judge, Faridkot, in June 2020, urging that a judicial officer should not be entrusted with “any part of the case at any stage” due to his alleged “family ties” with the Badal family, the IG submitted to the HC that it was based on inquiries and intelligence inputs that the judicial officer had close link with the Badal families, whose name have been specifically mentioned in the chargesheet. — TNS
