Our Correspondent,Hamirpur, March 4

Ex-servicemen from Sujanpur organised a meeting at the residence of Rajinder Rana, Vice-Chairman of the Disaster Management Authority, yesterday.It was learnt that over 100 ex-servicemen had decided to join a protest being organised at Dharmasala if the match venue between India and Pakistan was not changed.Rajinder Rana said a delegation of one hundred ex-servicemen came to meet him. They demanded the cancellation of India-Pakistan match to be held on March 19.Sources said the ex-servicemen had urged Rana to convey their feelings to the Chief Minister.Rana said HPCA president Anurag Thakur should also reconsider the decision and change the venue.He said it was surprising that the BCCI and HPCA were not considering the sentiments of soldiers and their family members.

Arun meets martyr’s kin, seeks support for match

Family members of martyr Sanjeevan Rana at his home in Siyunh village

Lalit Mohan,Tribune News Service,Dharamsala, March 4

Arun Dhumal, younger brother of HPCA president and BCCI honorary secretary Anurag Thakur today met the family of martyr, Sanjeevan Rana. He met the wife of Sanjeevan Rana, Pinki Rana at her residence near Shahpur.The sources here, however, said the visit failed to cut ice with the family of the martyr over the issue of hosting the India-Pakistan cricket match at Dharamsala on March 19.When The Tribune team contacted Pinki Rana she said that Arun Dhumal did not talk directly about the match and maintained that he had come to convey his condolences. He, however, tried to explain that the dates of the India-Pakistan match had been finalized in advance and the venue cannot be changed now.“We are against the holding of match at Dharamsala. I have lost my husband who laid down his life for the country fighting Pak-sponsored terrorists just two months ago. I cannot tolerate Pakistan Zindabad slogans in the vicinity of house in such conditions,” Pinki Rana said.Pinki Rana further said, “Though we are against the match, I do not think the venue would be shifted from Dharamsala. Nobody values our opinion. Though the Chief Minister has said that the match should not be played at Dharamsala, he will not be able to stop it.”“Pakistan had never shown any eagerness to talk to India. It is India leaders who go after Pakistan seeking holding of talks. Whenever, Indian leaders take the initiate with Pakistan there is attack by terrorists and our soldiers have to lay down their lives to save the country”, she said.Arun Dhumal’s visit to the family is seen as a late effort to placate the hurt feeling of ex-servicemen.Members of strong Gorkha community also carried out a march in Dharamsala today to protest against the hosting of India-Pakistan match at Dharamsala. Gorkha community, most of whom are ex-servicemen, said that feelings of the families of martyrs should be respected and the match should not be held at Dharamsala.The sources here said the HPCA was resorting to intense lobbying to soften the opposition stand on the match. Senior officials of cricket body and their supporters have met Congress leaders who have announced their support for the agitation against the match.During his recent meeting with Anurag Thakur, the Chief Minister had clearly stated that though he was not against the match, the state would not use force against the families of martyrs protesting against the match.

Match an insult to martyrs’ families: Youth Cong chief

Tribune News Service,Shimla, March 4

The Youth Congress today joined the chorus against the match as its state president Vikramaditya Singh said the match was an insult to the families of the martyrs.“The Youth Congress is against any engagement with Pakistan till the time the country stops supporting terror activities. We will oppose the match,” said Vikramaditya who also the son of Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh.He termed the meeting of HPCA president and BJP MP Anurag Thakur with Virbhadra Singh as a mere political stunt and requested the government to continue to oppose the match as a mark of respect to the martyrs and their families.“Holding of the match is purely a commercial activity and it will not have any impact on diplomatic ties between the two countries as is being projected by the BJP leaders,” he said.He added that if the match was not cancelled by the HPCA, his party, along with the families of the martyrs would take out a protest march from their houses to the Dharamsala stadium.He said the HP Youth Congress was against any kind of sporting engagement with Pakistan.“As per our resolution adopted during the HP Youth Congress Executive Committee meeting, we will continue to oppose the match,” he said.He demanded that the match should be cancelled, keeping in view the sentiments and feelings of the families of the martyred soldiers and the anger of the general public.

Chandigarh: The election for five Rajya Sabha seats of Punjab is likely to take place on March 21. A notification regarding this will be issued on Friday. The term of five Rajya Sabha members — Ashwani Kumar, Avinash Rai Khanna, Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Manohar Singh Gill and Naresh Gujral — ends on April 4. The election will be held in two phases. In the first phase, polling will take place for the three seats represented by Ashwani, Khanna and Dhindsa. This will be followed by another election for the remaining two seats. The Akalis are likely to put up candidates for two seats and leave one for the BJP. Akali Dal’s Dhindsa and Gujral may be re-nominated. The Congress is likely to win two Rajya Sabha seats. The party had three Rajya Sabha MPs. Tns

Brig Prahlad Singh was commissioned into 3 DOGRA in1974 and commanded the same at SIACHEN GLACIER(NG) ,MASHKOH and PALLANWALA from 1994_97.He later commanded RR Sect in Valley  was PD in SFC and Dy GOC In J&K..

After his retirement on Dec 2007 he served with CRPF as  DIG for four and Trg Consultant for two year at Jammu.

SANJHA MORCHA  welcome Brig Prahalad to the folds its family and looking forward for his valuable contribution towards the welfare of Ex-servicemen community  and assist the veterans  as and when required.He has taken over the appointment from Brig Manjit SIngh who is now the chairman of Sanjha Morcha

A woman officer leads the Air Force Day parade at Hindon in Ghaziabad. Tribune file photo

Ajay Banerjee
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, February 25Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Thursday said induction of women in the Armed Forces will be in a phased manner.Timelines will be decided for the three forces — the Army, IAF and Navy — after taking into account issues of facilities like training and accommodation, Parrikar said on the sidelines of a function organised by the Defence Innovators and Industry Associations.Parrikar’s remarks are largely meant to highlight lack of separate accommodation for women in field areas when posted in combat with the Army or on warships.On Wednesday, President Pranab Mukherjee, while addressing a joint session of Parliament, had spoken about having women in combat roles in the forces.

Villagers line up the route as the body of Capt Pawan Kumar is taken for the last rites at his native Bhadana village on Monday.

Sat Singh & N Kalia

Tribune News Service

Bhiwani/Jind February 22

Captain Pawan Kumar Khatkar, who died in an encounter with terrorists in Kashmir on February 20, hailed from Jind district but it was in Bhiwani that he sharpened his skills to make it to the National Defence Academy while studying at BRCM Vidyagram School, Bahal. And despite the mayhem wrought by the Jat agitation, villagers were out in full force to give him a befitting farewell. The body was brought in an Army chopper to his residence in Urban Estate in Jind at 11 am because of the blocked roads, and was taken to Badhana, 20 km away.  Agitating Jats had cleared the way leading to Badhana to enable residents of Amarheri, Kandela, Shahpur and Nagura villages, who had lined up on roads, to pay tributes. The pyre was lit by his father and cousin. Capt Pawan, who was commissioned in 2013, had joined the elite 10 Para (Special Forces) last year. His mother Kamlesh Rani and father Rajbir are government teachers. He passed his Class XII (non-medical) exam in 2008. “My sole aim is to crack the NDA exam and become an officer. For this, I surrender myself to you,” Pawan Kumar would tell Sehdev Singh Shekawat, his favourite teacher. Sehdev Singh, a physical training instructor at the residential school, said Pawan had a passion for horse-riding and athletics.  Girish Kumar, the house master, remembered him as being “ever ready for sports”. “We are pained at the loss to the family but feel proud that our alumnus sacrificed his life fighting for the country,” said principal Parveen Masta.

Delhi link still snapped

3 die in Army bid to clear highway at Sonepat, Jats won’t relent

Army deployed outside Siwah village on national highway in Panipat district on Monday. Ravi Kumar

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 22

Adamant Jat protesters lay siege to National Highway 1 (NH-1), snapping link to the national capital despite stern measures by the security forces to get the road cleared. The Army opened fire to disperse  protesters at Larsauli in Sonepat today. Though official sources said three persons were killed, other reliable sources put the toll at five.Meanwhile, curfew was imposed in Kaithal after a mob vandalised a mall and looted shops. More than 500 persons were booked. The authorities have sought more forces for the district. At least 1,300 persons have been booked in Faridabad and 1,000 in Palwal for rioting.Much to the relief of stranded commuters, protesters agreed to lift blockades on National Highway 10 after a series of negotiations with the authorities at Rohtak and Hisar. Ram Bhagat Malik, spokesperson for the Akhil Bharatiya Jat Arakshan Sangharsh Samiti, said blockades on NH-10, that links Sirsa, Hisar and Rohtak with Delhi, had been removed.Education Minister Ram Bilas Sharma said 16 persons had died in the ongoing agitation, including three at Larsauli village in Sonepat. The deceased are Sunny of Ganaur, Rakesh of Shamri village and Sandeep of Pamcha village. Haryana Janhit Congress chief Kuldeep Bishnoi demanded a criminal case against former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda in view of a CD on the social media showing his former political adviser, Prof Virender, instigating the Jats. Minister Ram Bilas Sharma said the government would get the CD examined. Hooda and his son Deepender Singh, Rohtak MP, were stopped at the Tikri border near Bahadurgarh today as they tried to enter Rohtak from Delhi. Protesters squatting on the Rohtak-Delhi road refused to budge, insisting that they be provided a copy of the government notification on Jat reservation. Later in the evening, they lifted the blockade at Sampla village (NH-10) after a delegation of Jat leaders met Principal Secretary AK Singh and Additional DGP BS Sandhu at the Police Lines, Rohtak.An Arakshan Sangharsh Samiti leader announced that they had decided to clear the roads in Hisar, Fatehabad and Bhiwani. Meanwhile, water supply to Delhi has been restored. In violence-hit Rohtak, curfew was relaxed for an hour today.

Bhagwat for apolitical panel

• Many people are demanding reservation. A committee should be formed to decide who are eligible for reservation. It should be apolitical so that there are no vested interests. —Mohan Bhagwat, RSS chief

REMAINS OF THE DAY

Not just Haryana, even Cabinet is divided

Previous ImageNext Image

An Armyman stands on patrol duty along gutted and vandalised shops and commercial establishments in Rohtak. Manoj Dhaka

Naveen S Garewal,Tribune News Service,Chandigarh, February 22

These are no minor gashes. The ongoing Jat agitation in Haryana has caused deep wounds in the minds and psyche of its people and resulted in caste polarisation being firmly entrenched.What started as a “Jat versus non-Jat” conflict has ended up as a great divide.With no signs of the violence abating, statements of politicians have exacerbated the social divide that has manifested itself along caste lines. Initially, goons in the garb of Jat protesters attacked the affluent, looting and burning properties. In Rohtak, Jhajjar and Deswali, affluent Punjabis and other rich were targeted.The “Jat versus non-Jat” pattern soon turned into “have-nots versus haves” and “one caste versus the other”. That division has become apparent even in the state Cabinet, with Jat ministers trying to appease the protesters, forcing the government to announce compensation to those who have died along with government jobs to the next of kin, and a “veiled promise” to protect the arsonists from the rule of law. A move that was strongly opposed by the non-Jat ministers.The  Manohar Lal Khattar government’s image has taken a beating. The BJP came to power essentially at the  back of non-Jat voters on the promise of “good governance”. With the government failing to control the raging Jats for days, the non-Jat voter now feels betrayed and alienated.Questions are being raised over why the BJP first tried to appease the Jats by promising reservation and then allowed its MP Raj Kumar Saini to raise an anti-Jat reservation pitch.Health Minister Anil Vij and other non-Jat ministers  today asked for strict action against those  indulging in violence. Leaders of other parties have only added to the chaos with the INLD asking for a Vidhan Sabha session on the crisis and Congress’ former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda choosing to sit on a “fast”. A non-Jat leader now plans a counter-agitation, while some others want judicial and other probes.The state stands divided, and for what in the end?

Geetanjali Gayatri

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 22

The decision to pay a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the next of kin of “innocent” persons killed in the Jat stir met with stiff resistance from non-Jat ministers at the Cabinet meeting here today. Led by Health Minister Anil Vij, the ministers expressed annoyance over “rewarding arsonists”.The plea that compensation could placate the Jats and help end the stir was outrightly rejected by the non-Jat ministers, who argued that those who had died were involved in looting and arson and that there was no justification in “awarding” their kin.Though the matter remained unresolved, the government chose to announce the compensation.It was Education Minister Ram Bilas Sharma who made the announcement and not Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar. Sharma initially announced that the Chief Secretary would appoint a nodal officer to assess damage and that the role of officials would also be ascertained. The form for filing claims would be made available online and at the office of DCs and money released within a month, he said. Oddly, it was after the conclusion of the press meet that Sharma returned to announce the ex gratia. The two Jat ministers, Capt Abhimanyu and OP Dhankar, were away for the cremation of Capt Pawan Kumar.

Capt Pawan Kumar Khatkar’s father (left) at his home in Jind.

N Kalia

Jind, February 21

The family of Captain Pawan Kumar Khatkar is proud of the supreme sacrifice made by their son for the motherland. Captain Pawan Khatkar (23) of the 10 Para was killed in an encounter with militants in the Pampore area of Jammu and Kashmir in the wee hours today. He will be cremated at his native Badana village with full military and state honours on Monday. His body will be brought to Jind in an aircraft.Captain Pawan Khatkar was the only son of his parents. His father Rajbir Khatkar said it was a proud moment for them when they came to know about the martyrdom of their son this morning. The headmaster of Government School in Budha Khera village of Haryana’s Jind district, Rajbir said: “I received a phone call at 3 am and one of the colleagues of Pawan told me that my son had got injured in the encounter. Later, I received another call in the morning from the regiment headquarters, confirming his martyrdom.”“I talked to Pawan for the last time on Friday. He told me about the ongoing encounter with militants in the Pampore area,” said Rajbir. He said: “To join the Army was Pawan’s childhood dream. He was selected for the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, in 2009. Later, after being trained at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, he was commissioned into the Army in 2013.” “Initially, Pawan was recruited in the 7 Dogra Regiment but later joined the 10 Para. Pawan was serving in Jammu and Kashmir since September 2015 and it was his fourth operation against terrorists in the Valley,” he further said.“My son was very efficient and a brave officer. He was the first to join the Army in our family,” said Rajbir. “Last month, Pawan had come home on leave. It was our last meeting with him,” said Rajbir. 

Army appeals to Haryana for martyr’s funeral

• As the agitation by Jats in Haryana rages on, the Army has appealed to the people of the state to extend their full support for a befitting farewell to Captian Pawan Kumar, who died fighting militants in J&K on Sunday. The mortal remains of the martyr will be flown to Jind on February 22 as the road traffic is disrupted due to the law and order situation in Haryana. The last rites with full military honours will be held at his native village on Monday. “I had one child, I gave him to the Army and to the nation. No father can be prouder,” said Rajbir Singh, Captian Pawan Kumar’s father.

The Army takes out a flag march in Jind on Saturday. Tribune photo

N Kalia

Jind, February 20,Curfew was imposed in Jind district after Jat protesters set afire Budda Khera, Pilu Khera, Uchana Mandi, Kinana and Jullana railway stations. To monitor the situation, Additional Deputy-General of Police (ADGP) BK Sinha rushed to Jind. At the Budha Khera railway station in Safidon subdivision, mobs carrying petrol cans ransacked the office of the Station Master and burnt the office record. Thereafter, the mobs targeted the Jullana railway station, the Jullana police station, fire station, market committee office and Haryana Roadways buses. At 2 pm the protesters ransacked the Kinana railway station. There was none to stop them. At 3 pm, the railway station at Uchanna Mandi was set ablaze and two railway engines  were destroyed.  The Pilu Khera railway station was also torched and an engine damaged.  Though senior Jat leaders met the DC in the morning and assured him that the stir would be peaceful, by noon a huge mob, including women, blocked the Gohana road and disrupted traffic. A group of protesters tried to enter the local bus stand but dispersed after the DC ordered shoot-at-sight orders. Later in the afternoon, demonstrators targeted Saini dharmshala and set afire a store room. Provoked, members of the Saini community came on to the roads and threw stones on Jat Dharmshala located in the same locality. Deputy Commissioner Vinay Singh and Superintendent of Police Abhishek Jorwal rushed to the site. Though the police resorted to a lathi charge, it failed to clear the street of the violent mobs.    The DC said the administration would act against the anti-social elements.

Curfew in Hisar, Hansi

Hisar: The incidents of violence were reported in Hisar and Hansi on Saturday. A man was injured in firing, while a motorcycle agency was set afire in Hansi.  The district administration imposed curfew from 8 pm on Saturday to 6 am in both towns. 

660 trees axed in Jind for road blockades

Army personnel remove a tree to clear the road in Madanheri village of Hisar. Tribune photograph

N Kalia

Jind, February 20

Jat protesters axed more than 660 trees for blocking roads in the district. The trees were felled mostly on the Jind-Bhiwani and Jind-Safidon roads.District Forest Officer (DFO) Ranbir Singh Dhull said it was unfortunate that various species of nearly 664 trees were felled illegally in the district. The number could increase after a detailed assessment, he said. “Forest guards are monitoring the situation and maintaining the record of the axed trees,” he said.Dhull said: “We will lodge complaints against the protesters responsible for cutting the trees and seek strict action against them.” Sources said some protesters were using the wood for their household purpose also.Apart from the Forest Department, the Jind depot of the Haryana Roadways was facing a revenue loss of Rs 9.5 lakh everyday. The public transport in the district was collapsed and around 180 buses were off the road and parked at the Jind, Narwana and Safidon bus stands.Jind depot General Manager Rahul Jain said: “We have totally suspended the bus service in Jind and Narwana. We tried to resume the service in Safidon subdivision this morning, but later suspended it.”Around 19 buses left for Delhi, Chandigarh, Panipat and Jaipur before 10.30 am, he said. “We have decided to suspend the service again after the agitation was intensified,” he said.

HARYANA BURNING

Dhankar’s house attacked in Jhajjar

The DIPRO’s vehicle on fire in Jhajjar.

Jhajjar: Four persons were killed and 10 others, including policemen, were injured in crossfire between Jat protesters and Army personnel near the Jahan Aara stadium in Jhajjar on Saturday. The injured have been admitted to the Jhajjar Civil Hospital, where the condition of some of them is stated to be critical. The mob attacked the local residences of Agriculture Minister Om Prakash Dhankar and BJP leader Anand Sagar. The protesters blocked Bhagat Singh Chowk for over an hour by placing the bodies there. The protesters clashed with Army and police personnel in the afternoon when they tried to stop them going ahead. They later set the Jhajjar police station, BDO office, PWD rest house, buses, DIPRO’s jeep and several vehicles on fire. Despite curfew in the city, some villagers took out a protest march and raised slogans against the government. TNSRohtak-Panipat toll plaza set on fire Panipat: Dahar toll plaza on the Panipat-Rohatk National Highway-71A was on Saturday set on fire by Jat agitators. They also set two motorcycles on the fire. A large number of Jats from neighbouring villages reached the Dahar toll plaza and set it on fire after breaking gates of the toll plaza. They also set two motorcycles on the fire. On the other hand, the protesters blocked the Panipat-Haridwar road at three places. They also blocked roads near Nimbri village, Ugrakheri and at Sanoli naka. TNSCabinet Secretary reviews law and order   New Delhi: Reviewing the law and order situation in Haryana where the pro-reservation protest by the Jat community is escalating, Cabinet Secretary PK Sinha on Saturday said that the safety of the people and protection of property should be given top priority. Sinha, who reviewed the law and order situation in Haryana via video conferencing with Chief Secretary Haryana and DG Police, said maintenance of peace and harmony should be of utmost priority. BJP president Amit Shah had earlier instructed the party’s Haryana Jat leaders to pacify the pro-reservation agitation in the state by holding talks with the protestors, sources said. The development came after the leaders of BJP’s Haryana unit Sanjeev Balyan, Om Prakash Dhankar, Anil Jain and Ram Lal held a meeting at party office today. TNS

Army vehicles stopped

Hisar: Jat protesters on Friday stopped Army vehicles going towards Rohtak from Hisar cantonment in Madanheri village of the Narnaund block. They were allowed to proceed towards Rohtak on Saturday after the village elders persuaded the protesters to lift the blockade. Sources said the Army personnel were on their way to Rohtak via an alternative route, as National Highway no.10 was blocked. When they reached Madanheri village, a group of youths blocked their way by felling trees on the road. They refused to give way the Army men due to which they had to stay in the village. TNS

Delhi water supply hit

Sonepat: The canal water supply to Delhi through Delhi branch of West Yamuna Canal and Delhi Parallel Carrier Channel was on Saturday stopped by Jat protestors. Both the channels are having water carrying capacity 1085 cusecs, which is released by removing the iron control panels installed near Garhi Bindroli village in the district. The protestors had even rooted out parts of iron control panels. According to irrigation department officials, the stoppage of supply will create drinking water problems in many areas of Delhi. OCHooda to go on fastNew Delhi: Former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda said he would go on a fast at Jantar Mantar on Sunday to reiterate his call for peace in the violence-hit state.  “The agitation has taken such a turn that it’s not going to benefit anyone. Some people have been killed and I offer my condolences,” said Hooda. He also appealed to the protesters to fight against the “divisive forces” trying to create a gulf in the society. ANI

Dance clip goes viral

Chandigarh: A video showing a group of Jat youths dancing to the tune of a reservation song has gone viral on social media. The one-minute video shows youths putting up road blockades at Narwana in Jind district yesterday and dancing to a song “kaun Jat ne rokega, jo soch liya vo karna”. The youths could be seen dancing in the middle of the road, disrupting traffic. PTI

Flag march in Rohtak

Rohtak: The Army and the police staged a flag march from the Police Lines till the MDU campus in Rohtak where a large numbers of protesters were on dharna. The protesters did not budge despite repeated warnings. TNS

NH-1 blocked in Sonepat

Sonepat: Jat protesters today blocked National Highway no.1 (GT Road) near Nangal Kalan village in Sonepat district. Armed with lathis, a large number of agitators from different villages reached GT Road to strengthen the blockade. District Magistrate Rajiv Ratan has ordered curfew in Gannaur and Kundli for 24 hours.  In Gohana, three roadways buses, several shops and a petrol pump were set on fire. OCSarpanches seek action against ‘miscreants’ Gurgaon: Newly elected sarpanches in Gurgaon today urged Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar to deal strictly with the people, who were behaving like “miscreants”, destroying public property and firing at the security forces. Over five village heads of places close to Gurgaon city such as Sikanderpur (Badha), Shikohpur, Nakhraula, Manesar, Rampura and Tikli held a panchayat here. “It was unanimously decided that villagers will support the state government and we are ready to cooperate with the administration,” one of the organisers said. “Is it the right way to express one’s views and demand reservation in OBC category?” they asked. IANS

Lahore-Delhi bus service affected

he government had taken the historic decision to implement OROP in November, 2015. Ministry of Defence says OROP, the long-standing demand of the defence forces personnel for 42 years, will benefit over 18 lakh ex-servicemen and war widows. Here are some details of today’s order:  • The annual recurring financial implication on account of implementation of OROP at the current rate will be approximately around Rs 7500 crore. • The arrears from 01/07/2014 to 31/12/2015 would be approximately Rs10,900 crore. • 86 percent of the total expenditure on account of OROP will benefit the JCOs/ORs. • Payment of arrears and revision of pension under OROP is to be made by the Pension Disbursing Authorities in four instalments, except for family pensioners and pensioners in receipt of gallantry awards who will be paid arrears in one instalment. • The total increase in the Defence Budget for pensions is estimated to go up from Rs 54,000 crore (BE 2015-16) to around Rs 65,000 crore (proposed BE 2016-17), thereby increasing the Defence Pension Outlay by about 20 per cent. OneIndia News

Read more at: http://www.oneindia.com/india/finally-orop-implementation-tables-issued-2002368.html