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VDCs being set up in Jammu belt NEW DELHI, Aug 15: Apprehending Pakistani designs to spread militancy down to Jammu belt, authorities have moved swiftly to set up well trained...more Spiritual
leaders should NAGPUR, Aug 15: RSS chief K S Sudarshan has called upon spiritual leaders in the country to initiate a world peace mission. .....more Massive security marks I-Day function; Red Fort under siege NEW DELHI, Aug 15: Massive and tightest ever security arrangements marked the 54th Independence Day anniversary in Delhi and the historic Red Fort, venue of the main function, was....more UP Police arrest four in Murad Nagar train blast LUCKNOW, Aug 15: The Uttar Pradesh police today claimed to have achieved a major breakthrough in nabbing four people ......more |
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One lakh new jobs for AHMEDABAD, Aug 15: Gujarat Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel today said the State Government proposed to generate.........more Sidelights
of I-Day NEW DELHI, Aug 15: Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee today created a history of sorts by becoming the first non-Congress Prime Minister to address to nation from the ramparts .......more Pak media terms poll announcement ‘meandering road map’ ISLAMABAD, Aug 15: Pakistan’s media today described President Pervez Musharraf’s announcement of general elections as a . .....more Badal
gives plots FEROZEPUR, Aug 15 : Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today handed over 5-marla plot certificates to 10,000 landless Scheduled Castes . ....more |
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VDCs being set up in Jammu belt NEW DELHI, Aug 15: Apprehending Pakistani designs to spread militancy down to Jammu belt, authorities have moved swiftly to set up well trained Village Defence Committees (VDC) in Akhnur, Sunderbani along the Line of Control as well as areas facing the International Border with Pakistan. Claiming that infusion of mercernaries on a large scale after 1997 was "proxy war in pure form", Lt Gen A S Khanna Deputy Chief of Army Staff here said according to intelligence reports Pakistan was now bent on spreading militancy down to Jammu belt, which has a predominantly Hindu population. "We have to be pro-active and resist such moves and setting up of VDC in areas like Sunderbani, Akhnur and Palanwala is part of our plan to foil Islamabad designs" Khanna told newspersons last night as the Army showcased the first batch of 30 VDC members from these areas before newsmen. Thoru Ram, Jamaat Ali and Raj Kumar, hailing from border villages said they had been put through 15 to 30 days courses by the Army, for being trained in use of semi-automatic self loading rifles. Gen Khanna said the setting up of VDC, a brainchild of Rashtriya Rifles along with fencing along the 195 km Jammu Pathankot International Border with Pakistan would dry up militancy in Jammu and Udhampur districts. Khanna said the aim of setting up VDCs in Jammu region was not only to resist intruders and militants, but also generate greater intelligence on movements in the border areas. The new recruits, all ranging from ages between 20 and 30 said they were volunteers and had so far not come across any Pakistani militants or foreign mercernaries, though through word of mouth, they had come to know that these groups used uplands of Sunderbani areas to intrude deeper into the militancy-prone Doda district. Gen Khanna said that Army would make efforts to equip these forces with assault rifles, but as these groups were controlled by State Government, a final decision would be taken only after due consultations. The youths, all desirous of joining the Army or para-military forces said they were supposed to be paid a stipend of Rs 1,500 by State Government, but till now they were receiving between Rs five to ten daily plus some rations like seven kg flour and two kg rice. Khanna said that VDCs were grouped to provide symbolic resistance to militants. "Our experience has been that if militants meet up with some resistance, they normally keep away from such villages", he added. Elaborating on Pakistani designs, Khanna said till 1995, there had been no militancy south of the Pir Panjal range, but later on militants and foreign mercernaries started filtering in Doda region. Khanna said the aim of setting up VDCs in Jammu region was not only to resist intruders and militants, but also generate greater intelligence on movements in the border areas. The new recruits, all ranging from ages between 20 and 30 said they were volunteers and had so far not come across any Pakistani militants or foreign mercernaries, though through word of mouth, they had come to know that these groups used uplands of Sunderbani areas to intrude deeper into the militancy-prone Doda district. Gen Khanna said that Army would make efforts to equip these forces with assault rifles, but as these groups were controlled by State Government, a final decision would be taken only after due consultations. The youths, all desirous of joining the Army or para-military forces said they were supposed to be paid a stipend of Rs 1,500 by State Government, but till now they were receiving between Rs five to ten daily plus some rations like seven kg flour and two kg rice. Khanna said that VDCs were grouped to provide symbolic resistance to militants. "Our experience has been that if militants meet up with some resistance, they normally keep away from such villages", he added. Elaborating on Pakistani designs, Khanna said till 1995, there had been no militancy south of the Pir Panjal range, but later on militants and foreign mercernaries started filtering in Doda region. (PTI) |
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Spiritual leaders should lead world peace mission: RSS Chief NAGPUR, Aug 15: RSS chief K S Sudarshan has called upon spiritual leaders in the country to initiate a world peace mission. Speaking at a gathering of Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal activists here last night, Sudarshan alleged that political leaders had failed in this regard and were only ‘involved in confrontations’. ‘There is a need to inculcate self-confidence and willpower to accommodate more and more people in the large ocean of Hindutva for attainment of peace’, he said. The RSS chief said ‘Hindus, residing in Tibet, China and Japan, who lead a moral life and live by divine values, should come closer with liberal mind to re-establish world peace’. He alleged that self-centered people were harming every sector of human life like economics and politics and needed to be replaced with those with a liberal face. Sudarshan asked Hindus ‘not to hesitate to reveal their Hindu identity’. ‘If you ask Muslims and Christians about their mission in life, they would certainly say to spread their respective religions. Then why no Hindu does the same thing. Why Hindus, despite having a rich cultural heritage, are lagging behind?’ he asked. (PTI) |
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Massive security marks I-Day function; Red Fort under siege NEW DELHI, Aug 15: Massive and tightest ever security arrangements marked the 54th Independence Day anniversary in Delhi and the historic Red Fort, venue of the main function, was under virtual siege with helicopters maintaining an aerial vigil. Thousands of personnel of Delhi Police, central paramilitary forces and Army had virtually taken over the fort where Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee unfurled the National Tricolor and addressed the nation this morning. Armed commandos and sharp-shooters were seen positioned atop specially-erected elevations, trees and rooftops of houses surrounding the fort as several helicopters hovered above to thwart any possible aerial attack. To supplement the choppers there were air defence guns placed at strategic locations. Besides, restrictions were imposed on movement of flights during the function. Movement of trains was also temporarily halted in the old Delhi area. Commandos of Army and Rapid Action Force were patrolling areas around the fort much before the one-hour-long function began at 7 am and a watch was kept using binoculars on distant areas. Areas upto three kilometres around the Red Fort had been sanitised and police personnel were keeping a strict watch. Thousands of Delhi Police and paramilitary forces personnel maintained intense vigil in rest of the capital as there was increasing apprehension of militant strikes especially after a bomb blast in a south Delhi area three days back and another explosion in a Delhi-bound train yesterday. Delhi police’s strength of 55,000 personnel, assisted by more than 20,000 paramilitary troops, fanned the streets of the capital to ward off any subversive strikes. Vigil was intensified at railway stations, bus terminuses and other crowded places while the elite ‘black cat’ commandos of NSG were positioned at the airport. Intelligence reports had warned of strikes, including suicide attacks by militants outfits, Hizbul Mujahideen, Lashker-e Toiba, Al-Badr, Hizb-ul-Jehad-e-Islami and Muslim fundamentalist groups owing allegiance to international terrorist master mind Osama Bin Laden. According to these reports, the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister L K Advani and another cabinet minister were under threat from militants. These reports also suggested that militant groups had prepared a large number of women for suicide missions. A high alert was sounded in the capital and neighbouring districts of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana over a week back. (PTI) |
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Pak media terms poll announcement ‘meandering road map’ ISLAMABAD, Aug 15: Pakistan’s media today described President Pervez Musharraf’s announcement of general elections as a "meandering road map" to restore democracy in the country and criticised him for being ambiguous on actual transfer of power to the elected Government. "Though the military ruler has announced the road map for the polls, the path, it appears, is still marked by uncertainty. "What is obvious is that the map is designed to keep the supremacy of the army over national affairs, political, economic, strategic," Pakistan daily `The News’ said, commenting on Musharraf’s announcement yesterday to hold general elections in between October 1 to 11, 2002. Referring to the October 2002 poll schedule, it said, "it is in these phases that there will be grounds for anxiety, if fears of the public are not allayed." For instance phase two refers to the "finalisation of proposed constitutional amendments to introduce checks and balances" by May-June 2002. However, nothing was said in the speech about the proposed amendments, heightening the level of fears in public minds whether there would be a rerun of the Zia-ul Haq’s bowdlerisation of the constitution. "This is an issue that has incited intense debate and it was necessary to relieve misgivings about the shape of things to come," the paper said. ‘The News’ editorial was, however, most critical on the final phase of handing over of power on which the military regime was most ambiguous.’ "While phase three deals with the election process of the provincial and National Assemblies and senate which begins from July 11 next year, phase four merely sets the period for `transfer of power’ during October-November, 2002 without mentioning a firm date," the paper said. This is possibly the most unfortunate lapse as it has shades of Yahya Khan’s blunder when he too dithered by not giving a firm date. It is not clear why an exercise that should have been mechanical, in that with the completion of the election of the speakers the party profile of the houses would be known and the transfer of power should be easily managed as being no more than a legal formality, it said. The schedule gives an impression that the army will move from one post to another, if the results are not according to its design. A delay in completing the transfer process, even if it is of a week, excites strong emotions, the daily said. "A vague two-month schedule amounts to encouraging virtual chaos in the country if there are suspicions that the results are being doctored. The government should remove all doubts from public mind by being more specific about what constitutional amendments it has in mind and giving the exact date when the military rule will end," it said. ‘The Nation’ in its editorial said the Government’s announcement appeared ambiguous on different counts. "The first is whether the poll will be partyless. However, in view of the Government announcements in the past it is assumed that the polls will be party based," it said. The second issue was the constitutional amendments which the Government left vague. It is preferable for the Government to announce the proposals as early as possible so that the debate can be exhaustive, the daily said. "In principle amendments should be left to Parliament but if the president is bent upon making them we hope as little damage as possible to the constitution’s federal and parliamentary character," it said. A ceremonial Prime Minister and powerful President may meet the letter of the word parliamentary but not spirit, it said adding supremacy of the parliament would also be compromised by an extra parliamentary body. (PTI) |
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Badal gives plots to 10,000 landless FEROZEPUR, Aug 15 : Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today handed over 5-marla plot certificates to 10,000 landless Scheduled Castes on the occasion of the 55th Independence day while reiterating his Government Commitment for the uplift of the weaker sections of the society. Addressing the state-level function after unfurling the national tricolour,he focussed on Punjab’s contribution in the national freedom struggle,saying the Kuka Movement,Babbar Akali Movement and Parja Mandal Movement,which were parts of the national struggle,originated in the state.He said 80 percent of those who sacrificed their lives hailed from Punjab. Reiterating his Government commitment to providing social justice,the Chief Minister said maintenance of peace,amity and social harmony alongwith comprehensive development of Punjab were top on the agenda of his Government. He said landless people were being provided five marla plot free of cost to build their own houses as part of its social justice agenda. Lauding Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in appreciating problems of Punjab,he said international airport at Amritsar and completion of Ranjit Sagar Dam were major achievements of his Government.The Vajpayee Government has also sanctioned several Railway lines,bridges and released money for road construction. He said Punjabis,who had lost their glory during the tragic phase of militancy,has regained it and now Punjab has coordial relations with neighbouring states like Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.To symbolise good-neighbourly relations,the state government has decided to unveil the statue of Choudhary Devi Lal near Dabwali on Punjab-Haryana border on September 25 on the occasion of the birthday of the former Deputy Prime Minister,he added. Mr Badal paid rich tributes to the Kargil martyrs.Earlier,he visited the martyrs memorial of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev at Hussainawala and paid floral tributes to the revolutionaries of India’s freedom struggle. The Chief Minister defended Sangat Darshan programme of his Government,saying it has given a boost to development.He said a media survey said 95 percent people have appreciated the programme for providing them easy access to top functionaries of the Government for redressal of their grievances. He distributed 40 sewing machines and 28 tricycles to the needy on the occasion. Punjab Food and Supplies Minister Madan Mohan Mittal,who unfurled the national flag at Faridkot,said the Akali-BJP Government has provided immense facilities to the Agriculture sector and as a result of it Punjab produced a record 136 lakh tonnes of rice and 158 lakh tonnes of wheat this year. The minister honoured Mrs Mahinder Kaur,mother of Kargil martyr Paramjit Singh,on the occasion and presented a cheque of Rs one lakh to her.He distributed 13 each sewing machines and tricycles to the needy. Science and Technology minister Chiranji Lal Garg,who hoisted the flag at Bathinda,gave away 65 sewing machines and 30 tricycles to women and handicapped. UNI |
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