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Gangsters storm Nabha jail, free 6 inmates

AUDACIOUS ATTACK 10 armed men in police uniform storm high-security prison, fire 200 shots before escaping with 6, including KLF terrorist Mintoo BREAKTHROUGH Hours after the attack, gangster Palwinder Pinda arrested in UP with getaway vehicle and weapons

(With inputs from S Raju in Meerut and agencies)

PATIALA: About 10 gunmen disguised as policemen tricked their way into Punjab’s high-security Nabha prison, stabbed a guard at the gate, fired automatics, and escaped with a Khalistani militant group commander, his sidekick and four gangsters in a daring jailbreak on Sunday.

ANIPalwinder Singh, alias Pinda, who was arrested by the police at Kairana in UP’s Shamli district late on Sunday evening, and (below), arms recovered from the SUV used in the crime.

The stunned jail guards offered no resistance and couldn’t allegedly fire a single shot to stop the self-styled chief of the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), Harminder Singh Mintoo, his aide Kashmir Singh Galwadi and another four prisoners from escaping. Besides the militants, the fugitives include gangsters Harjinder Singh alias Vicky Gondar, Gurpreet Singh Sekhon, Kulpreet Singh alias Neeta, and Amandeep Singh alias Bura.

Their rescuers fired more than 200 rounds before escaping in getaway cars — a sedan, a hatchback and an SUV. The entire operation lasted not more than 10 minutes, indicating the attackers were familiar with the jail’s layout and routine.

Uttar Pradesh police arrested one of attackers, Palwinder Singh alias Pinda, at Kairana in Shamli district later in the evening. A self-loading rifle, two rifles, bullets and cash were found on him.

When constables flagged down a Haryana-registered white SUV, he jumped from the vehicle and tried to escape. The constables chased and caught him in a congested market alley.

“He has confessed to the crime. Mintoo was with Palwinder in the car but he got down at Panipat. Police have recovered two more vehicles used in the Punjab jail attack, a sedan and a hatchback,” additional director general of police Daljeet Singh Chowdhary said.

Pinda was arrested for killing an assistant sub-inspector in Jalandhar in 2013. But he escaped this March with the help of aides when he was undergoing treatment at a Patiala government hospital.

The 49-year-old Mintoo was arrested in November 2014 at the New Delhi airport after he was deported from Thailand. He was wanted in at least 10 terrorism-related offences, including the 2008 attack on Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and recovery of explosives at Halwara air force station in 2010.

Galwadi, 30, was arrested for shooting at a Shiv Sena leader in Gurdaspur last April.

The 28-year-old Gurpreet alias Gopi is on trial for murder, kidnap, extortion and highway robberies. A trained flight attendant, he comes from an affluent family that owns brick kilns.

A reward of `25 lakh was offered for information on the fugitives and a high alert sounded in Punjab, Haryana, UP and New Delhi with security around railway stations, airports, bus terminuses and other public places stepped up.

Deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal suspended the state’s additional director general of police (jails) MK Tewari and dismissed the jail’s superintendent and deputy superintendent. The railways ADGP, Rohit Chaudhary, has been given the charge of prisons.Badal, whose Shiromani Akali Dal is facing tough elections next year, sniffed a Pakistani hand in the incident, saying the neighbouring country was “desperate to revive terrorism” in the state after Indian forces destroyed militant hideouts in Pakistanoccupied Kashmir in surprise raids across the border.

“Pak desperate to revive terror post surgical strike. Could be behind jailbreak,” Badal, who also spoke to national security advisor Ajit Doval after the incident, tweeted.

His father and chief minister, Parkash Singh Badal, ordered a probe and formed a special investigation team. Union home minister Rajnath Singh sought a report.

The Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) found a handle to reaffirm their campaign point that Punjab’s law and order have plummeted under the Akali-BJP alliance government.

State Congress chief Captain Amarinder Singh said: “The manner in which gangsters walked into the high-security jail … shows complicity of the highest level.”AAP’s Punjab in-charge, Sanjay Singh, demanded deputy chief minister Badal’s resignation.“By claiming that the jailbreak was the handiwork of Pakistan, Sukhbir has again exposed his irresponsible behaviour.”

The meticulous and swift assault shook the establishment as it follows a similar but controversial jailbreak in Bhopal on October 31, in which eight suspected Islamic radicals were killed a few hours after they escaped from prison. The two incidents put to question the security set-up in jails.

540-SECOND OPERATION

8.54am

Two men dressed as cops arrive in a car, along with a handcuffed man. Knock at the main entrance, show court ‘warrants’ and enter jail. 6-7 men park their SUV nearby

8.55-8.56am

Take two guards hostage, knock at main entrance, enter inside where inmates are handed over after paperwork. Put dagger into the mouth of a policeman

8.57-8.58am

Slip a pistol inside the jail’s inner gate to the inmates. The inmates take a guard hostage, and open one lock and break the other with gunfire. As per plan, the 6 jailed men come out

9-9.03am

Escapees fire in the air. SUV brought to the main gate, inmates flee. Others get into second car and flee

PROFILES OF ESCAPEES

Sekhon aide plotted great escape

Assigned task to Palwinder ‘Pinda’, who had escaped from Nabha jail in March, held in UP after Sunday’s jailbreak

PATIALA: Palwinder Singh ‘Pinda’, who was arrested by the Uttar Pradesh police from Kairana in Shamli district, has revealed that Gurpreet Sekhon, who was lodged in the Nabha prison, and Jalandhar-based gangster Prem Lahoria plotted the jailbreak, while he executed.

BHARAT BHUSHAN/HTPunjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, ADGP (jails) MK Tewari and DGP Suresh Arora after the jailbreak at the maximum­security Nabha jail (right) near Patiala on Sunday.

Sources said Sekhon and Lahoria also involved KLF militants, who promised them of heavy funding. Lahoria assigned the task to Palwinder, who escaped from the Nabha jail when he was being taken to the civil hospital in March this year.

“Things are becoming clear now. It was a well-planned conspiracy involving many gangs. Sekhon masterminded the plot in jail, while Pinda and Lahoria, who are on the run, executed his escape and others,” said Nabha senior superintendent of police Gurmeet Singh Chauhan. He said with the arrest of Pinda, police of other states, especially Uttar Pradesh, has been alerted to track Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) terrorist Harminder Singh Mintoo and others.

The UP Police also recovered arms and ammunition reportedly used by the accused during the jailbreak incident from the Toyota Fortuner, which was used in the crime. A Punjab Police team has been sent to UP to quiz the accused.

Sources said after crossing Nabha, the escapees changed the vehicles and fled in a Swift and Verna cars. They were to meet at the UP border to plan their escape to Nepal.

Escaped gangsters Gurpreet Sekhon, Vicky Gonder and Prem Lahoria had allegedly killed another gangster, Sukha Kahalwa, in Jalandhar. Later, Gonder was arrested from Tarn Taran following an encounter, while Sekhon was arrested from Faridkot. Prem is still at large.

They accused used self-loading rifle, Springfield gun, pistol and other weapons and fired over 200 shots to create panic at the high-security Nabha jail before freeing the accused. The UP police have recovered a selfloading rifle and a gun from Pinda.

Chaos, corruption rule Punjab jails

CHANDIGARH: The unprecedented audacious act at the high-security Nabha jail on Sunday has once again brought under glare the chaos and corruption ruling Punjab prisons.

Jails have virtually lost their meaning and instead of serving as “reform centres” they are being used by gangsters to regroup and realign, recruit new members and plan crimes together. With easy access to mobile phones, they also execute crimes, run extortion rackets and plan their own escapes.

The police investigating the Nabha jailbreak incident is of the view that the six inmates who dashed to freedom this morning were in constant touch with those who had come to facilitate their escape. Since January 2015, 37 gangsters have escaped from custody while being brought for hearing and another eight have absconded while out on bail, in most cases with the active help of fellow gangsters.

The mismanagement of Punjab prisons has been a serious cause of worry for police authorities. Aggravating the anarchylike situation in state jails is a rampant political interference in flagrant violation of the jail manual rules.

In fact, Punjab director general of police Suresh Arora had flagged this with the chief election commissioner during the latter’s visit to poll-bound state recently. “Unless the jails are well-controlled, there can be a serious fallout on the state’s law and order” says a top police official.

CORRUPTION NUB OF THE PROBLEM

The nub of the problem is rampant corruption with jail staff allowing almost every comfort possible to the inmates for a price. Inmates, have access to mobile phones, sim cards, cash and drugs. In May, police conducted surprise checks of various jails in Punjab and recovered 65 mobile phones, a dozen sim cards, opium and other drugs besides cash. As many as 15 phones were seized from Nabha jail.

Inmates manage to smuggle these things either through the help of relatives who come to meet them in jail or during their visit to the court for hearings. Inmates also “use” mobile phones of the jail staff for a price. Similarly drugs, syringes to inject drugs, cigarettes, bidis etc are also supplied through the jail staff.

SHORTAGE OF STAFF AND INFRASTRUCTURE

The jail department suffers from a perpetual shortage of staff to control the overburdened jails. In Punjab there are 26 jails which house over 23,000 inmates. In 1994, the prisons had about 2,000 warders for about 10,000 inmates. Currently, the jails have 24,000 convicts/undertrials with only 1,000 warders. It was only recently that the department began hiring almost 560 jail wardens after the cabinet cleared additional posts for the department.

In order to enhance security inside and outside the jails, the department has been demanding a battalion of the Punjab Armed Police (PAP) for every jail but the police have not been able to spare its employees for duty in jails. Most of the jails in the state also lack basic surveillance and monitoring infrastructure and it was only recently that the police started installing jammers and CCTV cameras in jails.

THE MISSED OPPORTUNITY

oday’s incident also comes in wake of the state government having shot down a move to bring in the Punjab Control of Organised Crime Act (PCOCA), 2016, to empower the police and courts to effectively counter gangsters. The draft act was proposed by the police but was put off by the cabinet on the grounds that some of its provisions could be misused by the police.

Cong, AAP corner govt, say shows complicity at high level

CHANDIGARH/SANGRUR: The Nabha jailbreak has given the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) enough ammunition to corner the ruling Akali-BJP government ahead of the high-stake assembly in Punjab.

Alleging involvement of the Parkash Singh Badal government in the jailbreak, Punjab Congress chief Captain Amarinder Singh said the incident had exposed a “complete breakdown” of law and order in the state, while triggering fears of revival of terrorism ahead of the assembly elections.

“The manner in which gangsters walked into the high-security jail and freed a Khalistani terrorist along with other convicts shows complicity of the highest level,” Amarinder said in a statement.

Reiterating his fears of terror attacks and other violent incidents in the state ahead of the polls, Amarinder said the rescue of Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) chief Harminder Singh Mintoo, accused in 10 terror-related cases, suggested an “active effort” from across the border to revive terrorism in Punjab.

Meanwhile, AAP national spokesman and Punjab in-charge Sanjay Singh has demanded deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, who is also the state home minister, and jails minister Sohan Singh Thandal’s resignation.

“By claiming that the Nabha jailbreak was the handiwork of Pakistan, deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal has once again exposed himself to his irresponsible behaviour,” the AAP leader said, adding that if it is true, Union home minister Rajnath Singh should also quit for failing to protect the international border.

Party’s Punjab convener Gurpreet Singh Waraich said this was not the first time when Sukhbir has blamed Pakistan for all ills in Punjab

‘AMARINDER PLAYING INTO HANDS OF ANTI-NATIONALS’

Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal on Sunday accused Capt Amarinder Singh of playing into the hands of antinational forces by making “wild and malicious allegations” against the SAD-BJP government, instead of rallying with it to corner and confront such forces.

“They know a special team has been constituted, both at the police and civil level, to get to the bottom of this conspiracy. The senior most jail official has been suspended while Nabha jail officials have been dismissed,” he said.

 

Jailbreak puts spotlight on law and order in poll-bound Punjab

CHANDIGARH : At a time when the parties of Punjab are whipping up poll frenzy on Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal issue, debt waivers for farmers and drug abuse among the youth, the daring jailbreak at Nabha in Patiala district has once again put the spotlight on the law and order in poll-bound Punjab.

The border state faces the danger of extremism from enemies across the border and within. Decades after the long spell of militancy came to an end, attack on Pathankot air base in January 2016 and Dinanagar police station in July 2015 gave way to fear of revival of terrorism.

The spate of incidents of sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib in the recent months helped Sikh radicals get more politically mobile ahead of the high-octane elections. They held a congregration — Sarbat Khalsa — last year at Amritsar. The separatist agenda is getting a push from organisations and advocacy groups abroad such as Sikhs for Justice

Punjab Congress chief Captain Amarinder Singh, whose Canada tour was stalled following a complaint by SFJ, and his US trip marred by protests by radicals, has even hinted at extremists having the sympathy of some Canadian ministers.

Though the Parkash Singh Badal government has been blaming foreign hand in all this, it cannot escape the responsibility for losing grip on law and order. The daylight murder of Namdhari sect matriarch Chand Kaur and attack on RSS leader Jagdish Gagneja, who later succumbed to his injuries, have exposed how outlaws are getting emboldened. The fact that the government had to recommend both these cases to the CBI shows either the home department headed by SAD president and deputy CM Sukhbir Badal is clueless or incompetent to handle these elements.

NABHA JAILBREAK: AUDACIOUS ATTACK MONTHS BEFORE SCHEDULED ASSEMBLY POLL

Red alert sounded, Centre seeks report

Union Home Minister calls up Badal | Deputy CM briefs NSA head | Rohit Chaudhary new ADGP (Jails)

Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal with DGP Suresh Arora.

Jupinderjit Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 27

The sensational Nabha jailbreak wherein six armed assailants dressed in police uniform freed two terrorists and four gangsters has alarmed security forces across northern states.Alarmed over the security situation in poll-bound Punjab, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh called up Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and sought a detailed report on the incident.Rajnath asked him to “take urgent steps” to tighten security in all jails in Punjab, official sources in the MHA said, adding that during the 15-minute conversation, the CM briefed the Home Minister about the incident and steps taken to nab the culprits.“I have told the Home Secretary to get a report from the Punjab government immediately. If the Punjab government needs any assistance, we will provide it,” Rajnath said.A red alert has been sounded in Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan, besides Chandigarh and New Delhi. The police have erected barricades all over the three states, besides monitoring rail and bus transport.Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi also spoke to the Punjab DGP and asked him to ensure adequate security in all state jails.As an immediate fallout of the incident, ADGP Jails MK Tiwari and Nabha jail superintendent and deputy superintendent were suspended.ADGP Railways Rohit Chaudhary has been posted as ADGP Jails and S Bhupati, IPS, as the superintendent of Nabha Jail. Rohit was investigating the Dinanagar terror incident earlier, but was unceremoniously removed from it. The government has ordered the constitution of a probe panel headed by Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Jagpal Singh Sandhu to look into the security lapses.The state has announced a reward of Rs25 lakh to any person providing information leading to the arrest of the six escapees.Deputy CM and Home Minister Sukhbir Badal briefed National Security Adviser Ajit Doval about the incident and the steps taken to nab the escapees.Amid reports that hardliners were regrouping and trying to take advantage of the government’s denial of the fact that the incident has taken place in the poll-bound Punjab where a number of high-profile killings, including that of RSS leader Jagdish Gagneja and Namdhari matriarch Chand Kaur, have remained unsolved, Rajnath Singh has offered more security forces to the state. Already, 10 paramilitary battalions are deployed in Bathinda and adjoining areas in the wake of the proposed “Sarbat Khalsa”.Badal held a meeting of civil and police officers this morning. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to investigate the jailbreak.Prabodh Kumar, Additional Director General of Police, Internal Vigilance Cell, would head the SIT that comprises Paramraj Singh, IGP, Patiala Zone; Ishwar Singh, IGP; Nilabh Kishore, IGP, Counter Intelligence; Amar Singh Chahal, DIG, Patiala Range; and Gurmeet Chouhan, SSP, Patiala.A manhunt has also been launched to nab the escapees.Car with uniform found in Kaithal village Kurukshetra: Police uniform suspected to be used by the Nabha jail escapees was found in an abandoned car bearing Punjab registration number (PB 29 S 6154) at Solu Majra village in Kaithal. Kaithal DSP Tarun Kumar said several phone numbers scribbled on paper were found. Karnal police range IGP Subhash Yadav said the vehicle was suspected to have been used by the escapees but a conclusive comment would be made after the investigation. The IGP said police deployment was scaled up at all entry points bordering Punjab and movements of suspected persons were being examined. TNS

Nine jail officials booked

• The police have registered a case against 30 persons, including nine jail officials, under Sections 307, 392, 223, 224, 120-B, 148 and 149 of the IPC and various sections of the Arms Act. An FIR has also been filed against the six escapees.

Jail reforms take backseat

Aman Sood

Tribune News Service

Patiala, November 27

Poor infrastructure, condemned vehicles, political interference, open threat by gangsters and judicial scrutiny following false complaints by jailed gangsters are some of the reasons that prisons in Punjab are far from reforms.Sources said police officials are not interested in getting a posting inside jails, while the Jail Department officials are performing their duties under poor conditions.In May, the state Jail Department had failed to convince senior police officials to join as Superintendent, Jails. Even those who were without plum postings in the Police Department had expressed their reservations about joining as jail superintendents. Interestingly, despite hard duty, jail officials get less salary compared to police officials of the same rank.The then Additional DGP (Jails) MK Tiwari had made personal “SOS calls” to over 20 senior Indian Police Service and Punjab Police Service officers to come to the Jail Department on deputation, but many officers “politely refused” the offer.“The government suspended our ADGP, but the fact is that there is nothing that the government has done in terms of ensuring better facilities for jail officials. Tiwari is now made a scapegoat, while the action should be against seniors who are holding back reforms,” said a jail official, preferring anonymity.“Jails in Punjab are breeding grounds for crime and once in jail, inmates do not fear the law. Further, the recent policy by the Punjab Government, allowing a 21-day parole after every three months has also demotivated both the police and jail staff,” said an official, who had earlier refused to serve the Jail Department. “Today’s daring escape is the collective failure of many departments. We cannot even think that no one dared to check the men in private cars, who were armed,” he said.Recently, directly recruited Deputy Superintendent of Jails (DSJ) declined to join the department, citing “poor working conditions and pitiable infrastructure”. Already at the junior level, the Jail Department is short of 1,300 officials out of 2,450 posts. “In case you suspend or transfer a jail warden or a below rank official, they would use political clout and get back in service,” said a jail official.Overcrowding is another problem that worsens conditions such as sanitation and the failure of basic services such as health care, spread of diseases, stress among inmates and staff. 

Gounder may be killed in encounter, fears family

Vicky Gounder’s mother Jaswinder Kaur shows his photo at her house in Muktsar’s Sarawan Bodla village on Sunday. Tribune photo

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, November 27

The family of gangster Harjinder Singh Bhullar alias Vicky Gounder (27), who escaped with five other prisoners from Nabha jail today, demanded legal action against him for his action. It, though, feared the police might kill him in an encounter.Gounder is a native of Sarawan Bodla village in Lambi Assembly segment.His mother Jaswinder Kaur said, “I learnt of my son’s escape from jail through news. He can’t escape on his own. He acted on someone’s suggestion. The police must put him behind the bars and not harass us. They (cops) have taken away two of my nephews.”In the past four years, she and her husband Mehal Singh never met their son in jail. “I feel sad because of his actions. He is my lone son,” Jaswinder said.Gounder was once into sports. “After taking admission in a Jalandhar college, some youths spoiled him and he took to the world of crime. We advised him to mend his ways,” she said taking a deep breath.Jagdish Singh, younger uncle of the gangster, said Gounder’s action of escaping from jail had shocked them. “He should not have run away. We fear that the police may kill him in an encounter.”He questioned the security arrangements in the jail.“I had met him in jail about three months ago. He had told me he would become a law-abiding citizen. But I was unaware of what was going on in his mind,” Jagdish said.Gounder was once a discus thrower and won medals at the national level, he recalled. He regretted sending Gounder to Jalandhar.His father Mehal Singh was not present in the house. Jagdish said his brother had disowned Gounder in 2011.Senior Superintendent of Police Gurpreet Singh Gill said, “The police have rounded up two cousins of Gounder. They will be released once the investigation is over. Besides, we are conducting raids at some of his possible hideouts and put up nakas.”

NABHA JAILBREAK

Chawla, Congress demand Deputy CM’s resignation

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, November 27

Politics has taken the centre stage following the sensational escape of two terrorists and four gangsters from the high security Central Jail in Nabha.Veteran BJP leader Laxmi Kanta Chawla even demanded resignation of Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, who also holds portfolio of the Home Department, on moral grounds.In a statement here today, Chawla said it was failure of the Punjab government and the Home Department, which led to escape of terrorists and dreaded gangsters from the Nabha jail. She said the Deputy CM was busy in inaugurating buildings in name of development and had no concern for the state’s dismal law and order situation.“If any terrorist attack happens in Punjab following the escape of Harminder Singh Mintoo, a Khalistan Liberation Force operative, it will be the responsibility of junior Badal,” she said while adding that he should resign on moral grounds.Meanwhile, the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee vice- president and Amritsar West MLA, Rajkumar Verka, held the Akali government responsible for the sensational escape. In statement here today, Verka said, “The Congress Party demands resignation of Sukhbir Badal for failure of the Punjab government and the Home Department.” He said the Election Commissioner should immediately announce imposition of model code of conduct after this incident.He alleged that Akali government wanted to deteriorate the peaceful atmosphere of Punjab before the upcoming Assembly polls. “Today’s incident was a well planned move by Akalis,” he added. He said around 200 gun shots were fired while there was no fitting response from the police, which had raised many eyebrows, he added. He said suspension of an ADGP was unfortunate as he was made a scapegoat for Deputy CM’s own failure. “Sukhbir should resign from the post of Deputy CM,” he added.Two terrorists and four notorious gangsters were freed by armed persons in police uniforms from the high security Nabha jail today. Hundreds of rounds were fired by them while managing the escape.

Security beefed up at Kapurthala Modern Jail

Only 330 policemen to guard 2,800 prisoners in the jail

Entry to Kapurthala Modern Jail. A Tribune Photograph

Rachna Khaira

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, November 27

Security was beefed up inside the Kapurthala jail today following the fleeing of dreaded terrorists and gangsters from the Nabha jail.Meanwhile, there are only 330 staff members of the Prison Department to guard around 2,800 prisoners lodged inside Kapurthala Modern jail.According to jail superintendent Ravinder Singh Thiara, more companies had been moved to the outer boundary of the 78-acre jail area and also the CCTV footage was being monitored round the clock in the security room. “The jail staff has been asked to be vigilant 24×7 and to conduct random checking inside prison cells to keep a close tab on the activities of prisoners lodged inside various cells,” said Thiara.Despite strenuous efforts by the jail authorities, they were having a troublesome time due to the shortage of staff inside the jail.According to sources, though there has been a huge increase in the number of prisoners inside the jail since it was running from the old jail site in Jalandhar, having a capacity to lodge around 300 prisoners, there has been no increase in the number of staff members since then.Also, the weapons and ammunition available with the jail authorities were inadequate. Though the state government has claimed that the recruitment process was under way, any government decision in this regard before the crucial election time seemed to be a distant reality.

‘Jails staff under pressure, criminals enjoying multiple Wi-Fi connections’

Rachna Khaira

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, November 27

In the wake of the today’s attack at high-security Nabha jail from where six dreaded criminals, including two terrorists, escaped, senior police officials who have served in various jails of Punjab revealed some sensational information about the alleged nexus among prisoners, politicians and staff of the Department of Prisons deployed inside jails. “Prisons in Punjab are the epicentre of a hardcore nexus among criminals, politicians and also officials of the Home Department serving inside jails,” alleged a senior police official who had served at an Amritsar prison a few years ago.According to him, despite the installation of jammers, a majority of the criminals, including dreaded gangsters, were presently holding more than 10 Wi-Fi connections inside jails.He even alleged that the staff deployed on duty inside jails lower the frequency of jammers to enable criminals to use mobile phones and to continue their criminal activities even while lodged inside jail.Also, officials revealed that jail management inside Punjab prisons was incoherent, as criminals had not been segregated in any of the jails till date. “According to the custody management, the criminals having a history should be kept separate from those having a non-criminal background. However, due to immense political pressure, the jail authorities are forced to keep even the dreaded criminals according to the choice of their political bosses,” alleged another official.The official also said that there was no transparency in the jail authorities and the Police Department on the reshuffle of criminals. “The jail staff is supposed to discuss with the Police Department about the reshuffle of a criminal from one jail to another. However, they do not inform us. In case of Vicky Gonder, he was shifted to Nabha jail without any intimation to us. Despite shifting him to Nabha jail to segregate him from his other gang members, he was lodged along with other dreaded criminals like Harminder Singh Minto. This itself proves a huge lapse by the Nabha jail authorities,” said another official.Also, officials spoke at length about the dilapidated infrastructure inside Punjab prisons.If they were to be believed, the overcrowded jails were facing an acute shortage of jail staff, no police official from the department was ready to come on deputation in these jails.Amongst other issues, the CCTV cameras were not working and, most importantly, the jail staff was under intense pressure of politicians and senior officials.

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CHANDIGARH: The Consulate General of Canada and the British Deputy high commission, Chandigarh, jointly observed the Remembrance Day ceremony to commemorate members of the armed forces of Canada, the UK, India and other countries who died in the line of duty during the World War 1 and 2.

HT PHOTODignitaries and military veterans during the Remembrance Day ceremony in Chandigarh on Wednesday.

Punjab governor and UT administrator VP Singh Badnore said 2.3 million soldiers manned the Indian army and 89,000 of them died in military service.

He added, “In Indian tradition, we also pay homage to all our soldiers who have sacrificed their lives while serving the nation. Today is symbolic to all those, irrespective of the countries, who fought in the two World Wars.”

Consul general of Canada Christopher Gibbins said since the end of World War I, Commonwealth Nations have remembered the men and women who served these countries during times of war, conflict and peace.

British deputy high commissioner David Lelliott OBE said, “I am pleased that we are once again co-hosting a Remembrance Day ceremony with our Canadian partners. Awareness of the role played by Indian troops in both World Wars alongside British, Canadian and other allied forces has grown considerably during the WW1 Centenary. It therefore seems fitting that we have established this tradition of coming together in Chandigarh to mark their sacrifice.”

Maj General, AD Western Command, Major General IJS Hundal recalled the contribution of the Indians during these Wars. “We also honour those who have worked to prevent the tragedies of war in international peacekeeping operations around the globe,” said Hundal.

Dignitaries and military veterans from the tricity attended the ceremony.

In the past two months, both sides have lost Army men as well as civilians in cross-LoC firing. — File

Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 23

The Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of India and Pakistan spoke to each other over the telephonic hotline on Wednesday and Indian DGMO Lt Gen Ranbir Singh told his Pak counterpart to stop his troops from firing at LoC or else face retaliation. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

“If any ceasefire violations were initiated by Pak troops or any infiltration attempts were made by terrorists from Pak-occupied Kashmir or territory under its control, it would invite an appropriate response by the Indian Army,” Army spokesperson Colonel Rohan Anand said citing the DGMO.

Lt Gen Singh suggested a way out and told his counterpart “to exercise strict control on their troops to refrain from any nefarious activities. This would lead to return of normalcy along Line of Control”. The Indian DGMO further raised the issue of infiltration attempts by terrorists from the Pakistan side into J&K and the unethical act of mutilation of the body of Indian soldiers close to the Line of Control by terrorists infiltrating from Pakistan. “In an unscheduled hotline interaction requested for by Pakistan, Indian DGMO Lt Gen Ranbir Singh spoke to his counterpart this evening,” and Indian Army statement said. The Pak DGMO informed of civilian casualties on the Pak side by Indian firing along the LoC. Lt Gen Ranbir Singh expressed grief at Pak civilian casualties but emphatically stated that retaliatory firing by Indian troops has only been carried out targeting locations from where Pakistan has initiated cease fire violations on Indian Posts. Lt Gen Ranbir Singh expressed his concerns to the Pak DGMO on casualties caused to Indian civilians and soldiers due to unprovoked firing from the Pakistani side. Normally, the weekly telephonic talk over the hotline is conducted by Colonel level officer. In the past two months, both sides have lost Army men as well as loss to civilian lives and property in cross-LoC firing.

CHIEF MINISTER KHATTAR HIKES COMPENSATION FROM `20 LAKH TO `50 LAKH AFTER PROTESTS BY SOLDIERS’ RELATIVES

ROHTAK: The mortal remains of BSF head constable Rai Singh Indora, 39, were cremated with full sate honour at his native village, Kheri Sampla, in Rohtak on Tuesday.

HTSecurity personnel placing the Tricolour on the body of head constable Rai Singh who died in cross-border shelling in Jammu region, and (below) guard of honour being given to the martyr, in Rohtak on Tuesday.

Indora was killed in mortar shelling by Pakistani Rangers in Rajouri sector of Jammu on Sunday night, in which seven other troopers were injured. He is survived by his wife and three school-going children. He had joined the BSF in 1995 in 163rd Battalion.

The Haryana government announced `20 lakh ex-gratia and government job for the next of kin of Indora, besides naming a park at his village in his name.

The announcement was made by Haryana’s transport minister Krishan Lal Panwar, who attended the cremation, along with cooperative minister Manish Grover .

However, villagers and kin of the soldier questioned the state government’s policy of announcing different compensation for martyrs. Indora was the third jawan from Haryana to die in ceasefire violations by Pakistan after India carried out surgical strikes across the Line of Control. While the families of previously martyred BSF head constable Sushil Kumar and Army jawan Mandeep Singh Rawat were promised `50 lakh as compensation, Indora’s got `20 lakh. Angered by the government’s move, angry villagers blocked National Highway 10 at Sampla in Rohtak for some time.

Indora’s brother Ramesh Kumar, who retired from the BSF, said: “When the BJP minister (Panwar) visited our home, he said he will make an announcement at the cremation. Here, he didn’t even speak to us and left after announcing whatever he wished. Rai Singh has three little sons who can’t work now. How will the family survive?”

When Panwar was ques tioned by the media on the compensation , he said increasing the amount was under state government’s consideration. Earlier, former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who attended the cremation, said the government must announce `50 lakh compensation. To pacify the protesting villagers, the local administration came back to hold talks with the villagers and the family. In a late evening development, chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar hiked the compensation to the soldier’s family to `50 lakh as desired by them.

As India announced it will seal its border with Pakistan completely by December 2018, we take a look at what this huge exercise will involve

BETTER FENCING

Madhukar Gupta committee wants a complete overhaul of the fencing structure

At present, fencing, with floodlights in place, has been done at over 2,000 km of IB

Laser walls in riverine stretches and night-vision devices are among other measures

Surveillance radars that work upto 40km can raise an alarm even before intrusion

MORE MANPOWER

BSF has increased manpower along stretches in Punjab

More than a 1,000 additional personnel at vulnerable stretch running up 30km in Punjab after the Pathankot attack

GOING HI-TECH

Low-light CCTVs with intrusion detection alarm

Handheld thermal imagers to check intrusion from body heat

INFORMATION FLOW

Once operational, the Border Security Grid will ensure better flow of information between intelligence agencies, border guarding forces and local police

If the border is breached, the grid will put local police, nearby deployments of army and paramilitaries on high alert

Monitoring mechanism to involve coordination between MHA, BSF and chiefs secretaries

Illustration: Sandeep Joshi

Geetu Vaid

Real estate markets all over the country have been in a tizzy for the past ten days ever since the announcement of demonetisation of Rs 1000 and Rs 500 currency notes. This move  blocked the  flow of “black” channels of funding while clearing the way for a fair, transparent and customer friendly era. Here’s a recount of  issues that were hotly debated all through the week:What now?

For a common man and prospective homebuyer the most important question was that with  virtually no cash (read unaccounted for money) in the market what will be the effect on the ongoing projects as well as on transactions being carried out by builders?While elaborating on this Narasimha Jayakumar, Chief Business Officer, 99acres says, “The sale of residential properties as well as land is expected to be severely hit as majority of the investors won’t be able to park unaccounted cash in this asset class anymore and those with white money will adopt a wait-and-watch approach expecting the prices to drop significantly”. “As black money is completely being sucked off the system, developers need to pay in white for land purchase, construction labour and materials. This will increase the cost of construction for builders and hence they would need to pass this back to the new buyers. A few developers have already started increasing prices and we expect more to follow”, adds Ankur Dhawan, Chief Business Officer- Resale Business, PropTiger.com.New ways to deal

with funding needs

Experts have been hinting that developers across the board will have to tap new ways to fund their projects now in the absence of easy access to cash component received from buyers. Several developers may opt for short-term loans from buyers or investors at market price by committing to deliver the project and at an interest amount as per the sale agreement.“Developers might mortgage their unsold stock with institutional investors to raise funds. This will open gates for FDI, private equity and HFC players to enter the market”, says Narasimha Jayakumar. Agreeing that PE will become a major source of funding for developers Ankur Dhawan adds, “Recently we have seen new structures being evolved such as platform deals, apartments funds in addition to convertible debentures”. Platform deals are the ones in which the builder and PE firm forms a platform to invest in multiple projects of builder e.g. Godrej and APG platform deal. This helps PE firm in avoiding multiple due diligence. Apartment funds on the other hand refer to deals wherein PE firms buy an X number of apartments in a project of a builder and provide funds for the same e.g. Piramal Apartment fund. The PE firm in this case signs strict contract which ensures money is used construction of said project only. When the project is ready, PE firm can sell on its own or through builders its share of apartments.Circle rate rationalisation

The cash component was added to deals to fill in the gap between the Circle Rate and the market price in a particular region. Now this gap is going to disappear and it is on this premise that most of the industry insiders are predicting a fall in property prices in the near future. The circle rate will be on a higher side now, feels Suresh Aggrawal, President, Haryana Property Dealers Welfare Association. While in cities like Panchkula there has been demand for reducing the circle rates but now it will not make any difference said Aggrawal. But there is a need to rationalise it, he added. “In Panchkula the gap between circle rate and market price is less in sectors like 25,26, and 27, but it is much more in sectors like 6, 7, 8, 15 etc. So there is a need to rationalise the circle rates and these should be in accordance with the area”.   According to Jayakumar the gap between circle rates and market rates will reduce as the property prices are expected to come down by at least 10 per cent. “This will primarily be driven by the financial stress in the market resulting from meek sales volume in primary market and distress sales in the secondary market”. “As cleaner transaction data will now be available with government authorities, it can be used to arrive at circle rates closer to actual property prices”, adds Ankur Dhawan.Lower loan interest rates

The sector is also looking forward to the RBI cutting down home loan interest rates sometime soon. According to Kotak Institutional Equities, the RBI is all set to cut rates in December.“We retain our view of 25 bps rate cut in December but do not rule out frontloaded 50 bps cut to account for the expected demand hit due to demonetisation,” Kotak Institutional Equities said in a research note. Niranjan Hiranandani, CMD- Hiranandani Communities and Founder-President, NAREDCO Maharashtra, says, ““I expect a 25-basis-point rate cut by the RBI in Q1 of calendar year 2017,” he said.

GURGAON DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Hope amidst despair

Vinod Behl

After years of unplanned growth and deficient infrastructure, badly hitting the quality of life in Gurugram, finally there is a hope for a planned, integrated, sustained and speedy development  and growth of the millennium city, as the much awaited Gurgaon Development Authority (GDA) starts taking its shape, following the Draft GDA Bill put up by the Haryana Government.The government has appointed senior IAS officer, V. Umashankar, as the OSD to GDA, to carry forward the process of formation of development authority. Umashankar has initiated an elaborate process of seeking feedback from all sections of society for the purpose of incorporating some of the suggestions in the final legislation draft that will reportedly come out by December 10, setting the stage for the enactment of the GDA Act, leading to its formation in the new year.In a run up to the formation of GDA, it is important to mention that the flawed model of real estate development preceding infra development, has been the bane of Gurugram in terms of deficient infra as well as for denying the city the tag of ‘Smart City’. Even the residents of the newly inhabited sectors (Sector 58 onward), have been facing hardships due to infra bottlenecks. Navin Raheja, CMD, Raheja Developers, says, “The development of roads and infra should precede issuance of licenses. The first task GDA should take up, is to provide infra like drinking water, electricity, roads, social amenities to thousands of home owners, occupying completed projects without electricity and water”. V. Umashankar assures saying that the proposed authority will focus on  infra development, mobility, urban environment and sustainable development, with first priority to prepare a master plan with a view to improve the standard of living in the city.

Hope for cash-starved HUDA

Another major reason for development works taking a hit is the cash-strapped HUDA. A significant part of thousands of crores of EDC collected from developers in Gurugram, remains unspent amidst charges of diversion of funds.  Raheja says that the EDC collected under the respective master plan, should be spent on the same master plan and should not be diverted. V. Umashankar has gone on record assuring that EDC money for Gurugram will be spent there only. Even the draft Bill says that GDA will get monies received or due to be received by state government and unspent on account of EDC, along with share of money collected by MCG, prior to commencement of GDP Act. There are other provisions in the draft bill to provide financial strength/stability to GDA. 

Road to better coordination

Considering that Gurugram’s development has been bogged down by multiplicity of authorities, the GDA will ensure complete coordination with all other agencies. As V. Umashankar puts it, “As the infra planning and implementation body, GDA will see to it that other government agencies, work in tandem, in accordance with the plan, ensuring integrated development”. Adds MC Gupta, “GDA is a great necessity, considering population explosion and unprecedented expansion of Gurugram on both sides of NH8, amidst lack of coordination”.

The mechanics of development

GMC created constitutionally, will remain in force, while in case of HUDA and HSIIDC, within three months of commencement of GDA Act, a scheme will be outlined to transfer HUDA/HSIIDC property, interest, interest in property, right and liabilities to GDA. 

Mind the gaps

But, as absolute power of the development authority, has been curtailed by keeping licensing and CLU out  of its purview, doubts are being raised about its efficacy. S.P Gupta, DG, HIPA says that HIPA panel had clearly said that GDA will enjoy the powers of licensing and CLU which currently vests with the Department of Town & Country Planning, Haryana. EveryDevelopment authority enjoys the licensing and CLU power.    Raheja offers a solution, “As licensing process involves   high level administrative and policy decision and coordination at government level, the office of Town & Country Planning should operate out of Gurugram, especially as 80 per cent of licenses are from Gurugram”.There is another significant gap between the HIPA draft and the one put up by the government. While the former made a clear case for appointing an officer of the rank of additional chief secretary as CEO to make GDA a powerful body for effective coordination, the latter settled for a junior officer of the rank of Principal Secretary, to head the development authority. Says M.C Gupta, “GDA has to be an effective agency whose writ must run. I believe GDA should be headed by a very senior level officer as he has to coordinate with senior officers and will have to negotiate with multilateral agencies at international level. We wanted it to be like Noida Development Authority, with all the powers vesting with it and state government and its departments delegating their powers and responsibilities to GDA. I would say that whatever we put in the draft, we stand by it. Ultimately, it is for the government to decide what is in the best interest of GDA. Fortunately, we have a very capable officer, V. Umashankar as OSD, GDA, overseeing the process of formation of GDA, especially carrying out comprehensive consultation process with all the stakeholders”. Adds P. K Jain, Founder President, Gurugram Chamber of Commerce & Industry, “Whatever form or structure of GDA is finally there, it should be a single agency, collecting taxes , taking care of water supply, sewerage, solid waste disposal etc, besides looking after maintenance. The uniform and harmonious building construction should be ensured and GDA should have financial powers and financial stability”. Pankaj Kumra, Retd Chief Engineer, HUDA endorses GCCI view that GDA should have a powerful financial structure besides having strong land acquisition, town planning and architectural wings. Meanwhile, V Umashankar is treading cautiously towards flawless formation of GDA, with right structure, accountability and credibility, by adopting transparent and consultative approach. As GDA heads towards becoming a reality, general public, industry, businesses and other stake holders are pinning great hopes about the transformation of Gurugram. As Raheja sums up, “The real estate business has been suffering due to deficient infra. But GDA will ensure ease of doing business, ushering in transparency and making real estate in Gurugram as an attractive asset class and in turn pushing up its demand”.

Structure of GDA

Chairman — Chief Minister

Ex-officio members— Town & Country Planning Minister, ULBs Minister, MPs, MLAs, Mayor GMC, CEO, GDA, Chief Administrator, HUDA, Commissioner, MCG, Deputy Commissioner. Ex-officio members (nominated by government) — 6Ex-officio members (experts from urban infra, governance, public administration, urban forestry, engineering, town planning)— 6 

RecommendationsThe panel recommended absolute powers for GDA as an autonomous body with entire district and even KMP Expressway and proposed Global Corridor under its jurisdiction. It was recommended that a serving IAS officer of the rank of additional chief secretary should head the authority that will enjoy the powers of licensing and change of land use, which currently vests with the Department of  Town & Country Planning, in addition to powers of planning and development of infrastructure. The panel also noted that urban areas and controlled areas of Gurugram district will cease to vest in HUDA and it will cease to exercise jurisdiction in that area. Further it was mentioned that all land, buildings and immovable properties in Gurugram district and vested in HUDA for carrying out development work, shall pass on to GDA. Similarly, assets and liability of Haryana State Industrial & Infrastructure Corporation (HSIIDC) will be transferred to GDA.

What the draft Bill saysThe Draft Bill provides for integrated planning and coordinated development of urban infra  by coordinating with GMC, boards, companies or other agencies involved in the provision of infrastructure, urban amenities and management of urban environment in notified area. Within a period of 9 months from the GDA Act coming into force, infrastructure development plan will be prepared including (but not limited to) roads, water supply, sewerage disposal, storm water drainage, solid waste management, public transportation, urban forestry and other urban amenities required for reasonable standard of living. To facilitate the functioning of GDA, coordination committees (consisting of GDA/government officers) and standing committees ( including citizens) will be formed. There will be a Citizen Advisory Council  as well. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) shakes hands with Nepalese Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli inside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China. — AP/PTI photo

Beijing, October 13

Superior infrastructure in Tibet will provide China an “upper hand” over India by being a “gateway” to Nepal and Bangladesh for greater trade and investments, Chinese media said on Thursday.

“The competition of China and India over building railways in Nepal will influence the future development of Nepal and Bangladesh. It will also bring more challenges to Tibet,” an article in the state-run Global Times here said.

“In the next decade, if India continues on its high growth track and speeds up the development of infrastructure and manufacturing, this will impose multi-dimensional pressure on China, of which Tibet will bear the brunt,” it said.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

Fortunately, as the central government has attached great importance and offered considerable support to the region, “Tibet has gained the upper hand over India in terms of infrastructure development and has established sound economic cooperation relations with neighbouring provinces and cities”, it said.

How to further open up Tibet exploit its advantages over India to deal with challenges and exercise an influence over the region while maintaining Tibet’s stability needs policy support, it said.

“It also requires coordination among all western provinces, cities and autonomous regions,” it said.

India and Nepal are linked by comparatively good roads.

For years, India has occupied 60 to 70 per cent of Nepal’s total trade while China has only 10 per cent.

During his visit to India, Nepal’s new Prime Minister Prachanda revealed that the two countries would discuss the possibility of India helping build a railway connecting Mechi and Mahakali, it said.

“If this comes true, a network not only connecting India, but also Tibet and Bangladesh will be formed,” it said.

The article said Tibet is emerging as an important part of the China-initiated “One Belt and One Road” (Silk Road) initiative.

“Geographically, as a hub of critical value in connecting China and South Asia, the autonomous region is playing an increasingly important role in regional networks with the acceleration of India’s development and the boosting of Sino-Indian economic relations,” it said.

“Over 200 km northeast of Bhairawa, a Nepali city close to the border with India, is Nepal’s capital Kathmandu. 100 kilometers northward from Kathmandu is Kodari, a border crossing from Nepal into China. The three cities make up one of the most important passageways connecting China and the Indian Subcontinent,” it said.

The other side of the border from Kodari is Zhangmu, a Chinese customs town and port of entry in Tibet.

The town accounts for around 82 per cent of bilateral trade between China and Nepal and 90 per cent of that between Tibet and Nepal, it said.  — PTI
Read more at http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/tibet-gives-upper-hand-to-china-over-india-chinese-media/309001.html#yMJKDyCbKWehvmjw.99

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, November 12

A soldier was killed and another injured in ceasefire violation by Pakistan troops in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district  during the intervening night of Friday and Saturday. The latest ceasefire breach took place in Keran sector with Pakistani soldiers opening fire at three Indian posts and a civilian area.“Two soldiers were injured. One of them with a splinter injury succumbed to his injuries,” sources said. The slain soldier was identified as Sepoy Harsit Bhaadouria of Thikariya Banswara village in Rajasthan and the injured as Mankamla. “Two houses were partially damaged in the Pakistani shelling in Keran,” a police official told the media.    Defence sources said the Pakistani Army used 120 mm and 82 mm mortars, automatic weapons and small arms to target Indian posts. There have been more than 100 incidents of ceasefire violation by Pakistan along the LoC after the surgical strikes by the Indian Army across the LoC on September 29. At least 12 jawans of the Army and the BSF have been killed during these ceasefire violations.On November 9, a soldier was killed in sniper fire in the Machil sector of Kupwara district. In the same sector on October 28, a soldier was killed and his body mutilated. A militant too was shot. A BSF jawan was killed on the same night.

52 dead in Pak shrine blast, IS claims attack

Karachi, November 12

At least 52 persons, including women and children, were killed and more than 100 others injured today in a suicide bombing at a popular Sufi shrine in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province, an attack claimed by the Islamic State terror group.The blast occurred in the remote Hub region in Khuzdar district of the province while devotees were participating in a Sufi dance called “dhamaal” at Dargah Shah Noorani.At least 52 persons were killed and more than 100 have been injured in the blast, rescue officials said.While confirming the death toll, Balochistan Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti said ambulances and rescue teams had rushed to site.The target of the attack was the area where devotees perform ‘dhamaal’. The blast site is situated some 250 km away from Karachi.The blast happened when about 500 to 600 devotees were present at shrine.Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack via Amaq news agency. The Express Tribune quoted police sources as saying that the blast was a suicide attack carried out by a 14-year-old boy.Rescue teams reached the blast site and started shifting the deceased and injured to the hospital. However, rescuers were facing difficulty in accessing the site as the shrine is located in a remote area. The death toll is feared to rise and women and children were among those killed in the blast.“The shrine is located some 250 km from Karachi in the remote mountains of Uthal and our vehicles have been dispatched there to carry out rescue operations and shift the injured to the hospitals,” said Hakeen Lassi, an official of the Edhi Trust Foundation.Local tehsildar Javed Iqbal said security arrangements at the shrine were not proper.“It is sad that although thousands of devotees from Karachi and other parts of the country visit the shrine everyday but there are no medical emergency facilities or ambulances at the site,” he said. — PTI

Killer teenager

• The attack was carried out by a 14-year-old boy while devotees were participating in a Sufi dance called ‘dhamaal’
• This is the third major incident of a bomb going off in Balochistan province since August
• In October, 64 cadets were killed when three terrorists raided a police training centre in Quetta
• In August, nearly 70 persons died in a suicide bomb attack at a civil hospital in Quetta