Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, March 5

Napalese porter Sandeep Sharma, attached with 2 Ladakh Scout in Jammu and Kashmir who had sustained a serious hand injury in a landslide, has got a fresh lease of life as Army has come forward for help.Taking notice of the report published in The Tribune, the Army swung into action and provided him medical and financial assistance. Some NGOs and individuals have also come forward for help.A detailed medical examination was conducted at military hospital at Shimla where his minor wounds and injuries were treated and he thereafter was shifted to the IGMC Shimla. The Army sources revealed that Sandeep was diagnosed with forearm nerve paralyses but there was no need for amputation and he was taken to Base hospital, Delhi Cantonment and was under treatment since February 4. Sandeep, who returned after treatment, said that he had been called for a check-up after three months and thanked the Indian Army for providing him free medical treatment. He said that the Army has also offered him the job of a supervisor in Leh and asked him to report by March 13 but he is apprehensive to join as the doctor has told him that cold weather can hamper his recovery. However, the Army sources could not be contacted for confirmation.“I had requested the Army authorities to provide some funds so that I could start something of my own but they turned down the request and offered me a job in Leh”, says Sandeep who plans to approach the Army chief for help.

THE CASE

• The incident dates back to January 13, 2015 when Sandeep Sharma (in pic) was on his way to a forward post from Berchok post in third glacier navigating a heard of mules when a massive landslide occurred and four mulesdied on the spot while his hand was broken.
• “I was told that the injury was minor and I need not worry but later when my hand stopped working I was discharged from duty with a token payment of Rs 5,000 and wasleft to fend for myself”, he said.
• It was then that the Tribune team spotted that hewas shelter less and spending nights in the open inbus stand and railway station.

Villagers cannot be made to suffer for the criminal negligence of panchayat and nagar council representatives who failed to pay bills CAPT AMARINDER SINGH, Punjab Cong chief

Expressing concern over water shortage across hundreds of Punjab villages triggered by disconnection of power supply to the waterworks, Punjab Congress president Captain Amarinder Singh on Saturday demanded strict action against panchayat members and nagar council presidents concerned for defaulting on electricity bill payments.

In a statement issued here, Amarinder said residents of 650odd villages where power to the waterworks had been disconnected could not be made to suffer for the “criminal negligence” of panchayat and nagar council representatives. Demanding immediate restoration of power supply to the waterworks, the Congress chief ministerial candidate said people could not be deprived of their right to safe drinking water, which he said was part of the constitutional right to life.

Promising stern action against those responsible once the Congress assumes power in the state, Amarinder said the situation was yet another example of the Badal government’s misgovernance in the state. “While PSPCL is well within its rights to take necessary steps to secure payment against outstanding bills, it could not be allowed to unduly harass innocent villagers,” he said.

Amarinder said groundwater in many affected areas, including Mansa and Muktsar, was unfit for human consumption, and things could get out of hand if water supply was not restored immediately. Coming close on the heels of the SYL Canal row, this development could lead to escalation of water tension in Punjab, he said.

In what seems to be the news of the day, it has been found out that it was Barkha Dutt who trained Gurmehar Kaur and even wrote script for her. In short, it is yet another trick played by the Leftist liberals and the presstitutes to make the Right look like the troublemakers.

Such theatrics have been the way of the world since 2014 – from Christians under attack in Vermula and the Dadri issue to Intolerance and Award Waapsi fiasco. And now, we have yet another liberal among us – Gurmehar Kaur.

But how can we say that Gurmehar Kaur is a part of the anti-BJP squad just based on one video? How can we say that the liberals and the presstitutes planted her? Here’s furnishing proper evidence to back our statement:

When the Dadri fiasco happened, the Bihar elections were just round the corner. And with the entire Dadri issue, intolerance debate and award waapsi fiasco, BJP lost the Bihar elections.

Cut to February, 2017. UP elections are going on and despite Congress and other parties, like SP and BSP, campaigning hard over numerous months, people are keen on having a new state government – a BJP government. In fact, according to the exit polls, BJP is leading in the elections. So, all the lefties and commies needed was a reason to defame the Right and Gurmehar Kaur have amazingly filled in this gap.

So, when the whole country was wondering who’s this Gurmehar Kaur and how did she suddenly come in and grab the limelight, the Right wingers knew who planted her and why! And while you were still getting to know her motive, there was Rana Ayyub pinpointing at this girl as the “ambassador for peace”!

Now, coming back to our point, let’s give you some evidence that she was planted by Barkha.

On May 2, 2015, Barkha Dutt interviewed Gurmehar Kaur and immediately sensed that she’s the perfect person who could be pitched against the Right. The talent that Barkha is, she must have simply assessed the little girl’s emotions and sentiments, and found in her the perfect ‘bakri’ to launch against the Right. In fact, she had done things like these before as well – through Pappu, Pappini, Kanhaiya, Hillary and even Udhav Thackeray – but failed to evolute anyone.

On May, 2016, Gurmehar Kaur was interviewed on Twitter by NDTV. Just have a look at the lines from the 2016 interview. Don’t these absolutely resonate with the lines of the video that Kaur came up with just a few days back? Needless to say, she was nicely trained by the leader presstitute:

Furthermore, we hear that Gurmehar was only 6-year-old when she tried to stab a woman in Burqa. Now, no matter what happens, a girl will never wish to kill anyone from other religion lest her family detests that religion wholeheartedly. So, looking from this point of view, doesn’t the video – where she feels sorry for her hatred as a 6-year-old – absolutely showcases Captain Mandeep Singh and his family in negative light as a family completely intolerant to the other religion? In short, Gurmehar’s family taught her to be anti-Muslim but it was Barkha who taught her to feel compassionate towards all! We are not saying this, here’s a proof of the same:

Anyway, we just think it is a fabricated story by Barkha – after all, sentiment is the best weapon to lure people!

Gurmehar’s heartfelt adoration for Arvind Kejriwal is not anything unknown also. Here’s a proof of the same:

Now, we can dismiss this as sheer fun but her favouring the leftist goons and slighting off ABVP as goons and perpetrator of violence on campus is something absolutely unacceptable. With placard in her hand promoting amiability between India and Pakistan, she was favoured by many. However, when a placard read “Pak didn’t kill my dad – war did”, she was slammed by many, and for liable reasons. Celebrities like Virender Sehwag, Yogeshwar Dutt and the likes stepped in as well but they were branded as “abusers” by the sickulers in Indian media.

Now, the oppositions are trying to promote Gurmehar as another Kanhaiya. But it is absolutely unfortunate to see the child of a martyr to be pushed into such a political war. Minister Kiren Rijiju asked the right question to all:

Now, claiming that Pakistan did not kill her dad and slyly implying through Gurmehar that Hindus are intrinsically intolerant towards Muslims is a “card” amazingly played by the presstitutes and the sickulars involved in the fraud. And all these, just to make the UP elections go out of BJP’s hand. From using a little girl’s ignorance to concocting stories of alleged rape threats, the oppositions have done it all this time to defame Modi and BJP.

BSF soldier Tej Bahadur Yadav.

New Delhi, March 2An inquiry for reported breach of discipline instituted against BSF jawan Tej Bahadur Yadav, who alleged bad quality food was given to soldiers, is in its final stage and a report would be submitted soon.Officials said the Staff Court of Inquiry (SCoI) would soon wrap up its investigation and submit its recommendations to the Border Security Force DG here.Meanwhile, the Home Ministry has taken strong exception to a fresh video of Yadav and has asked the BSF to look into it as part of the inquiry.A senior Ministry official said Yadav has crossed the line of discipline and broken service rules by posting the second video.In the fresh video, Yadav alleges that he is being “mentally tortured” and that his attempt to post the first video was to bring to light the alleged prevailing corruption in his organisation.”The Prime Minister had said so (eradication of corruption)…I was doing the same. Is this (inquiry) what I should be getting in return?,” he said in the short video claiming he surrendered his phone to the authorities on January 10 and it has been “tampered with”.In the earlier videos uploaded on social media, Yadav had alleged that while government procures essentials for the soldiers, the higher-ups and officers “sell them off” in an “illegal” manner in the market and they have to suffer. — PTI 

India”s Ambassador to UN, Ajit Kumar addressing the 34th Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva. — ANI

Geneva/New Delhi, March 1Pakistan created terror outfits against India and the “monster” is now devouring its own creator, India’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva said on Wednesday.Addressing the 34th Session of the Human Rights Council (HRC), Ambassador Ajit Kumar hit out at Pakistan for destabilising the situation in Jammu and Kashmir by promoting infiltration and cross-border terrorism, inciting, promoting and glorifying violence.Asserting that terrorism is the “grossest violation of human rights”, he said members will recognise the irony of a nation that has established a well-earned reputation of being a “global epicentre of terrorism holding forth on human rights”.”Pakistan has created terrorist outfits against India.This monster is now devouring its own creator,” Kumar said, adding that in the last two decades, the most wanted terrorists of the world have found “succour and sustenance” in Pakistan.The fundamental reason for disturbances in parts of Jammu and Kashmir is cross-border terrorism aided and abetted by Pakistan, he said, noting that for many years now, Islamabad has been carrying out an intense campaign to destabilise the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.He further emphasised that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and the situation there is an internal matter of the country.The Central government and democratically elected state government have led a system-wide effort last year to restore normalcy in the state in the wake of Pakistan-supported violent unrest, he said in the session’s ‘General Segment’.India would also like to point out that Pakistan’s unwarranted references to UNSC resolutions are “grossly misleading as Pakistan was required to vacate the parts of the State of J&K under its illegal and forced occupation,” Kumar said. — PTI

Birth, domicile certificates of 25 of 40 applicants under scanner | All issued this month by Ludhiana admn

Students during a drill at Sainik School, Kapurthala. Tribune file photo

Rachna Khaira

Tribune News Service

Kapurthala, February 27

In a development suggesting a possible admission scam, the local Sainik School authorities have put on hold the admission of around 25 of 40 applicants seeking admission to Class VI.Highly placed sources said the admission process was halted after the officials got suspicious over the birth certificates and domicile of these students.“Though all of them hailed from states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, they were all found carrying domicile and birth certificates issued in February this year by the Ludhiana district administration. Most of them had taken training from two academies based in Hanumangarh and Agra,” a source said.He said many were even found overage by up to five years. The medical board set up by the school has also raised questions over their age and sought a probe.During an interview, an applicant admitted that he had been trying to get admission in the school for the last three years. “Another boy submitted an Aadhaar card and a birth certificate that showed different dates of birth. While his Aadhaar card showed his year of birth as 2003, the birth certificate issued by the Ludhiana MC mentioned it as 2007,” said a board member. Many applicants failed to answer satisfactorily when asked about the directions of their address mentioned in their domicile. Some could not even tell the name of the area situated next to their “residence”.As per rules of any Sainik School, around 67 per cent of the seats should be reserved for candidates hailing from the state where the school is located. The quota goes over 70 per cent with students coming from the SC/ST category as well.Investigation by The Tribune revealed that even this rule had been violated for the past three years that has created an imbalance in the state quota.Some officials, on the condition of anonymity, claimed that when they tried to stop the practice last year, they received threats from some UP-based applicants’ kin.School Principal Group Captain Shakti Sharma said they had decided to take up the matter with the Kapurthala district administration to seek a check on the authenticity of the birth and domicile certificates.

Anomalies that give rise to suspicion

• The domicile and birth certificates of all 25 applicants under scanner were issued in February this year by the Ludhiana administration
• Most have taken training from two academies
• Many were even found overage by up to five years
• The applicants failed to answer when asked about the directions to their address mentioned in their domicile
• Some couldn’t even tell the name of the area situated next to their “residence”

Financial crisis

• In the absence of regular grant from the state or the Union Government, the Sainik School has no money to pay salaries and pension to its staff. School principal Group Captain Shakti Sharma said the institution was reeling under debt of around Rs 2 crore as it had not received any grant since 2011. “After much persuasion, I managed to get a grant of Rs 1 crore from the state last year. But around Rs 50 lakh was paid to clear debt and the remaining was spent on maintenance,” Shakti said, adding that the school had been managing its affairs with the fee from students, but this time, they won’t be able to pay salaries and pension amounting to Rs 40 lakh to its 200 present and former employees.

Pakistan’s media, judiciary and people power have many blind spots and do not compare favourably with their more evolved US counterparts. Pakistanis cannot really protest Trump’s ways without suitably reforming its institutions. And that is a tall order.

Most major rallies in Pakistan are for Muslim causes. Rarely have they protested for similar rights for all citizens.

Donald Trump’s presidency is the tip of the spear that xenophobic white supremacists are using to reconquer America. A Republican-dominated Senate and the House of Representatives may differ with Trump on smaller matters but will support him on core issues. The alt-right’s goal is to barrel over traditional American values of freedom and generosity, terrorise Muslim and immigrant families into leaving, and remove the checks and balances that have preserved the country’s openness to new peoples and ideas.Trump says that the media — specifically naming CNN, ABC, CBS, and the New York Times — is acting as an opposition party. Last Friday he tweeted that they are not just his enemies but also “the enemy of the American people. SICK”.This outburst comes because the press has exposed Trump’s shady business dealings, exaggerations on the size of the inauguration crowd, promotion of his daughter’s fashion business, lewd remarks on women, help received from Russia for getting elected, and the dubious character of his political henchmen. All this must hurt, but what gets Trump apoplectic are mocking parodies on TV channels and YouTube videos that feature impersonations of Trump and his spokespersons. Such lampooning weakens his authority by depriving him of the gravitas that other US presidents have enjoyed.This is music to the ears of most Pakistanis — and a relief to much of the world. But now we need to compare this with our own score card on the above three counts. Media: Yes, Pakistan’s media is free — free to slam politicians and elected governments on evening talk shows. This is, of course, as it should be. But none can touch generals and mullahs. If you want to hide in cyber space and still try then be prepared for abduction, declared as missing, and perhaps returned — as four of the five bloggers are known to have been — but terrified into silence.America has Fox but also other channels; Pakistan has only numerous versions of Fox. America has Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter, and Glenn Beck among others who spew stupidity and ignorance, lie, and pander to the lowest level of society. But, for fear of lawsuits, they still cannot match the infinitely more degraded, life-threatening, fact-less nonsense spewed by some highly popular Pakistani anchors.Judiciary: In theory, Pakistan’s too is independent of the executive branch. But nobody believes this, and nobody should. If it was true, Asif Ali Zardari would have long been in jail, Panamagate would have been settled, and the grant of land to generals legally challenged. Of course, we have our heroes. Justice of the Supreme Court Qazi Faez Isa single-handedly put together the detailed Quetta terrorism inquiry commission report that convincingly indicts the interior minister for improper behavior. But nothing has happened yet and nothing will. In contrast, a mere US sessions judge could stump Trump and overturn his executive Muslim-ban order.People: I cannot remember the last time when Pakistanis rallied together for a cause that was not specifically Muslim. Of course, Kashmir, Palestine, Bosnia and Myanmar are all worthy causes, but they are Muslim causes. In contrast, the thousands of Americans who stormed airports last month to protest Trump’s Muslim ban were there to protect a principle — that all peoples of all religions and ethnicities should have exactly the same rights.Perhaps someday we too will learn to respect people for what they are — humans — and fight for their rights also, not just our own. Perhaps an Ahmadi, Hindu, Christian or Parsi will be allowed to run for president of Pakistan or become the army chief. Until that time, in moral terms, we cannot really protest where Trump wants to take America. 

Courtesy The Dawn

General Cheema has vast operational experience in both conventional and sub conventional operations along western and northern fronts

General Jagbir Singh Cheema recently took over as the Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Information Systems and Training). In this capacity he coordinates capability building of the army in terms of training, communications and information systems. Earlier he had commanded XI Corps the pivot formation in Punjab where he had a long string of achievements including recasting operational plans and providing enhanced facilities to veterans. The general belongs to Jangpur, Ludhiana district.

XI CORPSGeneral Jagbir Singh Cheema, then commanding XI Corps pictured last summer while attending a formation­level exercise in Punjab

This is one of the Quinsap villages around Jagraon from where the Bengal Sappers recruited in large numbers. His father retired from the group as an honorary captain. Cheema first came to notice as a captain leading the Sikh Regiment contingent in the 1985 Republic Day parade. The regiment, bruised by the traumatic events of the previous year was determined to showcase its professional excellence. Young Cheema did not let it down. In NDA and IMA he had excelled in sports. He earned blues in cross country in both the institutions and was declared best athlete in the latter institution.

Jagbir has commanded his battalion, 10 Sikh on the Line of Control (LoC), an infantry brigade again on the control line in a high altitude environment and a mountain division forming part of the army headquarters (AHQ) reserve with wideranging operational roles. Professional courses done by him include staff college, long defence management and National Defence College (NDC).

He has served on the general staff dealing with operations, planning, intelligence and training at all levels from brigade to AHQ. As chief of staff of an operationally committed corps, he set down ‘Turbulence to Stabilisation’ the history of proxy war in Kashmir. Operational experience includes command of a company on the Siachen Glacier and an Assam Rifles company in Kashmir. Cheema is a soldier whom the greatest Indian commanders like Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw and Harbaksh would’ve paid the supreme accolade, ‘I would like to have him with me in war’.

NEW STRATEGY TO TACKLE J&K TROUBLEMAKERS

Napoleon once said, “In war morale is everything”. What he meant was that one seeks to motivate one’s own troops by uplifting their spirits at the same time using psychological operations to undermine the enemy.

Army chief General Bipin Rawat’s recent caution to stone-pelters and others who seek to obstruct counterinsurgency operations must be seen in this context. Though politicians have taken umbrage at his statement, in my view he has correctly warned overground workers of insurgents.

A new, proactive strategy to tackle troublemakers which draws on the experience of British troops in Northern Ireland takes this beyond the ambit of a mere morale-lifting exercise however.

To ensure the best coordination between the security forces, joint mobile control rooms will be set up at the scene of active operations. While the army, paramilitary forces and the police’s special operation group will tackle terrorists, the police will make sure crowds don’t gather.

MANDEEP SINGH BAJWA

If mobs do concentrate the police will disperse them with warnings, persuasion, guile and failing that with weapons best suited against unarmed people – teargas, batons. Civil administrators will become hands-on to prevent the assembly of terrorists’ collaborators by imposing prohibitory orders and other administrative measures. Such collaborators will be identified by the police who will take legal action against them.