Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 22

The Ministry of Defence has okayed a Rs 70-crore project to procure specialised boots, avalanche rescue bags complete with breathing apparatus and specialised summer suits that will lighten the clothing of the troops on the icy Himalayan heights.The troops will be given a wearable backpack called the “avalanche buoyancy system”. These will inflate on impact with snow and prevent injuries, keep the soldier afloat in the snow and even have a breathing apparatus to allow survival.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)Troops will also get specialised soft shoes with a wider footprint. These will be worn over the regular shoes for greater foothold in loose snow. The third on the list are fully covered tracksuits, called summer suits. These will be used in “super high-altitude areas” where temperatures drop to minus 20°C or so. These will allow troops greater mobility, especially on patrols and rescue missions. The multi-pronged effort has come after the MoD ordered the Chandigarh-based Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE) to study increased avalanches and new vulnerable spots.The Army estimates that avalanches have increased by 20-25 per cent as rising winter temperatures prevent ice from freezing hard.A rise in minimum and maximum temperatures has led to at least three immediate effects: the quantum of snowfall has doubled; winters set in late with maximum snowfall in April; and the rise in minimum temperature does not allow snow to freeze into hard ice. Thus, snow remains moist, resulting in slippery slopes that are avalanche-prone.The average minimum temperature on Siachen glacier rose from minus 40°C in 2012 to minus 30°C in 2016. Last year, 10 soldiers died in an avalanche at Siachen and this year almost the same number in Kashmir.

On acquisition list

Avalanche buoyancy system

Wearable backpacks that inflate on impact with snow and prevent injuries

Specialised soft-shoes

Worn over regular shoes for greater foothold in loose snow

Summer suits

Fully covered tracksuits for “super high-altitude areas” (minus 20°C) so as to allow greater mobility to troops

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

Azhar Qadri

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, May 30

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

Cops verifying details

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

Kulbhushan Jadhav

Islamabad, April 16

Pakistan has prepared a new dossier about alleged militant activities of Indian prisoner on death row Kulbhushan Jadhav and will share it with the UN and foreign envoys stationed here, media reports have said.The new dossier is based on Jadhav’s early testimonial and statements given in front of the Field General Court Martial about his alleged involvement in espionage and sabotage activities in Karachi and Balochistan, reports said.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)The document contains the attested report of Court Martial General, as well as the court proceedings timeline, The Nation reported.Jadhav, 46, was tried through Field General Court Martial (FGCM) under the Pakistan Army Act (PAA) and was awarded the death sentence. Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa confirmed the death sentence last week.The documents will also contain details of arrests and raids done by Pakistan security agencies on Jadhav’s tip-offs.“The dossier will be handed over to different ambassadors in Islamabad. The Pakistani envoys across the world will also present it to their host states,” the paper said.The document will also be shared with the United Nations and other global organisations, it added.On Friday, Indian High Commissioner Gautam Bambawale said they would appeal against the death sentence to Jadhav and demanded from Pakistan a certified copy of the charge-sheet as well as the army court order in the case, besides seeking consular access to the retired Indian Navy officer.Pakistan claims its security forces had arrested Jadhav from the restive Balochistan province on March 3 last year after he reportedly entered from Iran. It also claimed that he was “a serving officer in the Indian Navy.”        The Pakistan Army had also released a “confessional video” of Jadhav after his arrest.India had acknowledged that Jadhav had served with the Navy but denied that he has any connection with the government.The Jadhav episode could further strain the India- Pakistan ties which were hit after attacks in Pathankot and Uri by Pakistan-based terrorists last year. — PTI

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

Any plans to rationalise teacher deployment?

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

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

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

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

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

Plan to get Qila Mubarak on UNESCO heritage site list

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ABOUT THE FORT

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

‘GO LOCAL’ IS SIDHU STYLE THESE DAYS

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

Capt to look into mining contract row: Jakhar

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

People won’t forgive Kejriwal for cheating them: Chhotepur

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TRANSPORT MESS

Cong, Akali stakes: Govt takes foot off the pedal

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

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

Rajmeet Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 28

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

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

ATTACK ON SIKHS

Sarpanch arrested in Rajasthan

Minorities panel to take up matter on June 2

Yash Goyal

Jaipur, May 28

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

Mistaken identity?

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

Sangrur takes lead in closing liquor vends

Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, May 28

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

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

Former CM in no mood to put his feet up

Tours Lambi to express condolences over deaths

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

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Lambi, May 28

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

Order ignored, HC for officer’s presence

Saurabh Malik

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 28

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

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

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

VB detects irregularities in repair at Harike headworks

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

Sanjeev Singh Bariana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 28

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

Aujla meets martyr’s family

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

2 PAP officers appointed as SHOs against norms

 

Gagandeep Sharma

Bathinda, May 27

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

 

Except for family, Major HP Singh who laid down his life fighting infiltrators in 1999, remains a forgotten hero

Shaurya Chakra awardee Major Harminder Pal Singh’s family at his house in Sector 70, Mohali, on Thursday. Tribune photos: Vicky Gharu

Nitin Jain

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 13

It has been 18 long years since the Kargil conflict. Fighting the enemy, many a valiant soldier had laid down his life in the operation to protect his motherland. For the family of Kargil martyr, the time span, however, has not done anything to make the memories, of times spent together, any dim.Initially, there used to be special functions by the community and the local administration also to commemorate Shaurya Chakra awardee Major Harminder Pal Singh, the 31-year-old, 6 feet 2 inch lad from Kharar, who was killed in a fierce encounter with militants in Baramullah district of north Kashmir on April 13, 1999, but 18 years down the line, it seems that all others have forgotten the supreme sacrifice of the brave soldier, who had laid down his life for the motherland, except the wailing family.When The Tribune called upon the Kargil martyr’s family now shifted to Sector 70 in Mohali, it has no regrets. While the countrymen have recognised the supreme sacrifice made by their brave son, the government has also done its bit for the family. On this day in 1999, even as lakhs of Sikhs were thronging Anandpur Sahib to revel in the spirit of the Khalsa on the occasion of the tercentenary of their birth, a modern-day Sikh warrior was living up to the Sikh military traditions in the Kashmir Valley.Major Singh had been wounded in the left arm but had recovered to encourage three militants armed with Kalashnikovs and grenades in an eyeball-to-eyeball encounter in a remote North Kashmir on April 13.The 18 Grenadiers Major was shot through the temple by the third militant, but not before he had gunned down two of them. Harminder led the commando platoon of his battalion in what has been described as a “dare-devil” operation in a congested locality of Sadurkotbala village in Manasbal.The Grenadiers revere Harminder as a ‘sant-sipahi’ and his loss made even a tough Haryanvi Jat like Havildar misty-eyed. “Our welfare was uppermost in his mind,” he recollects, adding that perhaps valour ran through his blood.Major’s father Harpal Singh, who had also served the Indian Army and retired as a Captain, has already decided to make his 18-year-old grandson Navteshwar follow in the footsteps of his father. Navteshwar had appeared in Class XII exams from Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 16, here this year.Harminder’s mother Surinder Pal Kaur said her son’s sacrifice was an honour for her and the family. “It was Pintu’s (Harminder’s nickname) childhood dream to join the Army and do something for the country,” she adds.“Apne liye to sabhi jeeten hain, aadmi to woh hai jo auron ke liye jiye, auron ke liye mare (Everybody lives for self, the man is that who lives and dies for others),” says Rupinder Pal Kaur, late Major’s young widow, who has been serving as a District Food and Supplies Controller (DFSC) in Fatehgarh Sahib, after she completed her B.Ed following her husband’s death. She adds that Harminder had even written in the birth certificate of Navteshwar that he wants him to earn a name for the family, by serving the nation as defence personnel. Rupinder had given birth to Navteshwar, three months before the death of her husband.The Major’s father Capt Harpal Singh (retd) says, “The Shaurya Chakra award in anyway cannot compensate the loss we have suffered. But then, I am among those fathers who can take pride even in his son’s death”.Major had got married only 18 months before his death to Rupinder, who hails from Sri Ganganagar. Harminder’s younger brother, Ravinder Pal Singh, is an officer in the Merchant Navy.Harminder was twice recommended for decoration and received letters of appreciation from his Corps Commander who had also sent his name for the Army Chief’s commendation certificate.

Commissioned in March 1992

• Harminder was an alumnus of Khalsa Senior Secondary School, Kharar, and Government College, Mohali. He got his commission in the Army in March 1992 and was promoted shortly before his death to the rank of Major. He had qualified for a pilot’s job with the Air Force, but decided against it.

What they said

• Apne liye to sabhi jeeten hain, aadmi to woh hai jo auron ke liye jiye, auron ke liye mare. — Surinder Pal Kaur, Harminder’s mother
• The Shaurya Chakra award in anyway cannot compensate the loss we have suffered. But then, I am among those fathers who can take pride even in his son’s death. — Capt Harpal Singh, Harminder’s father

Majid Jahangir

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, May 27

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

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

Shutdown in Kashmir due to protests over killing of Hizbul commander

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

Srinagar, May 27

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

Mobile internet services suspended in Kashmir

Srinagar, May 27

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

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

Srinagar, May 27

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

JALANDHAR: Gurmehar Kaur, 20 who became the face of the fight against the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP)last month has come up with a blog outlining her stand on the issue.

She took to social networking sites to introduce with her blog ‘I AM’, on Tuesday.

The blog starts with a question ‘Who am I?’ Am I who the trolls think I am? Am I what the media portrayed me as? No, I can’t be any of that. I am my Papa’s Gulgul, I’m my father’s daughter. But. I am not your “Martyr’s Daughter”.

“You’ve read about me, made assumptions based on articles. Here in my own words. My first blog titled “I am” reads her post.

On Wednesday, Kaur during a telephonic conversation with HT said that she will write an article once in a week.

“Right now a lot has been going in my mind, I will pen down my feelings on that incident,” said Gurmehar.

Kaur, a student of English honors in Lady Shri Ram College is preparing for her exams that will be held next month.

While talking to HT last month, Kaur had shared that she might come up with some article on her experience she gained due to the incident that garnered her appreciation and criticism, both.

“I love to read books. I also like to write. So I may just pen an article on the issue,” she had said.

Kaur who took to social media to attack the ABVP after the clash at Delhi’s Ramjas College was trolled on social media.

Notably, Kaur was sucked into the row after one of her social media posts on her father, Martyr Captain Mandeep Singh, and her perceptions about Pakistan and war surfaced. “Pakistan did not kill my father. War killed him,” read the post.

The 20-year-old then was trolled that she was Martyr’s daughter and was not supposed to make such statements.

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PUNJAB NEWS::27 MAY 2017

Srinagar, April 10

A day after eight people were killed in firing by security forces during the election on Srinagar parliamentary seat, the Army today held a recruitment rally for the kith and kin of serving soldiers in Budgam which witnessed the worst violence on the polling day.An Army spokesman said the recruitment rally was held at Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry Regimental Centre, Rangreth, for the kith and kin of serving soldiers, veterans and ‘veer naries’. “The youth were enthusiastic and displayed a high level of motivation,” he said. This year, approximately 30,000 youth have reported for recruitment rallies out of which around 1,000 are likely to be recruited.“The overwhelming response to the Army’s recruitment rallies in Kashmir region indicates the desire of Kashmiri youth for a better future,” he said. — OC

Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh addressing industrialists in Chandigarh on Tuesday. — Tribune photo

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 23

Promising early waiver of farm debt, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Tuesday assured farmers that his government would not backtrack on its promise, and urged them not to resort to suicide as the higher-powered committee set up to work out the waiver modalities was on the job.Pointing out that his government had already put a stop on ‘kurki’ to fulfil a major election promise, the Chief Minister said there was no question of going back on any of the commitments.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)Addressing captains of industry at an interactive session organised here by PHDCCI, the Chief Minister lamented that agriculture, despite being of critical importance, was not resulting in economic growth. Water was becoming a major problem for the entire country, he noted, stressing the need to resolve the issue at the national-level through collective efforts.

Captain Amarinder cited the examples of Japan and Germany to express the optimism that Punjab would also get out of its current mess to again become India’s topmost state. Revival of industry, he said, was critical for the restoration of the state’s growth, as that would also act as an impetus to attract new industry.Promising his government’s full support in cutting red-tapism and addressing the woes of the industry, the Chief Minister said while he could not promise financial support in view of Punjab’s dire straits he would ensure ease of doing business, backed by affordable power, as promised in the Congress poll manifesto.The government was still trying to ascertain the extent of the financial mess prevailing in the state and would soon bring out a white paper to expose the real status, he said.

The Chief Minister agreed that the truck unions, with their monopoly, were a big problem for the industry and assured early resolution. The PHDCCI has demanded a legislation to regulate the operations of such unions, which it said were indulging in massive extortion and intimidation.It has also demanded that all illegal activities of these unions be made punishable to ensure that they operate as any other service providing company.

Captain Amarinder also promised to look into other issues raised by the industry during the interactive session, including delay in VAT refund and environmental clearances, and support in reviving the closed cotton ginning mills in Malwa belt.Power Minister Rana Gurjit Singh made it clear that the government was committed to implementing its promise of power at Rs 5/KVAH, which the PHDCCI said should be frozen for the next five years.