NEW DELHI, Jan 25:
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Law Minister Somnath Bharti today mounted an attack on the media with the latter even going on to accuse it of taking money from Narendra Modi.
In his address at an event organised on the eve of Republic Day at Chhatrasal Stadium here, Kejriwal said, “I don’t know why media houses want people to speak against me. They are associated either with one party or another.”
Citing an example, he claimed he had got a call from a reporter of a news channel who told him that he had been asked by his boss to do a negative story on AAP that its popularity is going down.
“He went outside and spoke to people, the first 50 of them were not ready to speak against us. All of them said that they were happy with the government. Many reporters are honest, media owners and some political parties are not letting them work. He said it was a compulsion as the boss has asked so he got three-four people to speak against you,” claimed Kejriwal.
He argued that “this is not journalism. This is your country as well. This is wrong”.
Earlier in the day, Bharti also targeted the media.
As reporters continued to question him over the controversy surrounding him, he accused them of taking money from the Gujarat chief minister.
“How much money have you received from Modi?” he asked.
However, he later backtracked and apologised after being criticised for the comment.
“I didn’t mean to say that and if anybody is hurt I would like to apologise to them,” he said.
Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Harsh Vardhan used the opportunity to attack Kejriwal on the issue.
“Now, if the media starts conveying to the people the indecent behaviour and the violation of laws and norms by his own law minister, why does he becomes so narrow minded that he starts abusing the very same media who had given him so much praise in the last few years,” he said.
Bharti, who had chosen to attend a kite flying festival instead of appearing before the Delhi Commission of Women yesterday after he was summoned for the midnight raid episode, charged that the Women’s Commission is “political”.
Attacking DCW chief Barkha Singh, he said, “Barkha Singh is a Congress member… She should have resigned herself after her government’s term ended.”
Terming all the reports against him as false, he claimed, “They are trying to defame me, I am going to take them to the court.”
However, it was not clear who he was referring to.
Replying to his jibe, Singh shot back, “This is totally wrong. Commission acts against all the complaints which come to us and there is nothing political about it. The way his lawyer misbehaved with us, everyone has seen it. Does he himself deserve to continue in his post? He should resign himself, who is he to seek my resignation?”
DCW had yesterday summoned Bharti following allegations that the Delhi minister led a group of AAP workers who misbehaved with a number of African women on the pretext of the raid on an alleged drug and prostitution ring in South Delhi last week.
Bharti was asked to depose before the commission to explain the charges against him but he sent his lawyers, who said he was absent due to “some urgencies”.
Bharti’s lawyers and the Commission Chief Singh, a former Congress MLA, had a public confrontation at the DCW office after she refused to allow them to present the minister’s response.
AAP had yesterday said in a statement that it “strongly disapproved of the politicisation of the office of Delhi Commission for Women by its chairperson”. (PTI)
Kejriwal, Bharti mount attack on media
Man’s body recovered
Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Jan 25: Mystery shrouds the death of a middle aged man whose body was recovered from Kaitha area of tehsil Ramnagar this morning.
A police spokesman said that Subhash Chander, son of Dhani Ram, resident of Kaitha village went missing last night. The villager left home at around 8.30 pm on Friday, telling family that he will return shortly from the neighbourhood. As he did not return late night, the family members started search for him.
His body was traced by a villager lying near a ‘Bowli’, about 600 meters away from his house this morning. The villagers and family members rushed to the spot and informed Ramnagar police. The police party examined the spot and found a bottle of liquor lying nearby and a glass. Hardly one peg of liquor had been consumed. The police also found an empty container of insecticides lying nearby the body.
The body was shifted to hospital for postmortem and later handed over to the family for last rites by police. The police has started investigation under 174 CrPC. It has suspected some foul play behind the matter.
Balwant Thakur invited to 4th Cultural Olympiad
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 25: Director of Natrang Balwant Thakur has been invited to 4th Cultural Olympiad as one of the cultural ambassadors of India to present a paper supported by an audio visual presentation on the contemporary theatre of India.
During the Cultural Olympiad to be held at Hongkong in December, he will also present a presentation on the cultural diversity of J&K.
Organised by Global Council for Art and Culture, the event is aimed at spreading the global harmony through culture. In this Olympiad, cultural groups across the world are participating.
The first Cultural Olympiad was held in Bangkok in March, 2011 which had the participation of 187 countries and last year the Olympiad was held in Singapore.
Thakur’s nomination to the 4th Cultural Olympiad is being considered as one of the most important cultural accomplishment of J&K and he will surely be instrumental in getting more international avenues for showcasing the cultural strengths of State.
Educational institutions celebrate 65th Republic Day with patriotic fervour
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 25: Various educational institutions celebrated Republic Day with patriotic fervour and zeal.
MC Khalsa College of Education celebrated Republic Day with great fervour and gaiety. On the occasion Harbans Singh, ex-Minister and Managing Trustee of the institution hoisted the National Flag, followed by welcome song, shabad, prayers, National Anthem, drill, exercises, yoga, songs and sports activities by college students. Dr Madhu Singh, Principal of the college and Surjeet Singh, Principal of MC Khalsa High School were also present.
Sai Shyam College of Education and Sai Shyam Public School, Ghou-Manhasan celebrated Republic Day. CL Tickoo, Chairman of the institution was the chief guest, who unfurled the National-Flag and took salute of the march past. Principal, Sai Shyam Public School Sarojini Saraf and Dr Usha Tickoo Principal, Sai Shyam College were also present.
Sacred Heart College of Education celebrated 65th Republic Day. On this occasion MD of the College Hari Singh Chib, Chairperson Rajni Bala, Principal Dr KK Tiwari along with staff members and students were also present. Chairperson Rajni Bala hoisted the flag, followed by Saraswati bandana, group song, speeches by students.
Tawish College of Education, Channi Rama and T S Public School celebrated Republic Day. The programme started with National Flag hoisting, followed by cultural programme. Chairperson Pooja Malhotra threw light on the importance of the day.
Republic Day was celebrated at Vinayak Institute of Nursing and Paramedical Sciences. On the occasion, students and staff members expressed their views on the importance of the day. Chairman Amardeep Singh, Lecturers Amandeep Kour, Preeti Sharma, Dr Chena and Roma Bhagat were also present.
A special assembly was organised at MHAC School, Nagbani to celebrate Republic Day. The programme commenced with patriotic songs, followed by dance items. Principal Alok Betab, stressed on the conservation of resources to take country forward. A cricket match was played held between the passing out students of class 12th and the male staff members. Students won the match by 12 runs. Nikhil Sangwal scored 76 runs and was declared Man of the Match.
A special assembly was held at Dream Land Public School, Janipur to celebrate Republic Day. Pawan Kumar Gupta, Principal of the school, Usha Gupta, Chairperson, teachers and students spoke on the importance of the day. Students presented cultural items. Amita Puri, Vice Principal, Jyotimala, in-charge Primary and Pratibha Wadhera, Coordinator presented patriotic song.
65th Republic Day was celebrated at Vishwa Bharti Higher Secondary School, Akalpur. The day long proceedings started with March Past and unfurling of National Flag by chief guest JL Kaul, Secretary Vishwa Bharati College of the Education. Dr SK Kaul, Dr AN Sadhu, Chairman RAC of Vishwa Bharati, Principal College of Education Prof Sunita Kampassi, Principal of the School Prof Annupurna Kaul, staff members and students expressed their views.
Luthra Academy, Gandhi Nagar celebrated Republic Day. Madhu Luthra, Principal of the institution was the chief guest, who unfurled the National Flag. On the occasion, students presented cultural items.
Republic Day was celebrated at Shri Mahavir Jain Higher Secondary School with pomp and show. The programme commenced with March Past, followed by hoisting of National Flag by President of the School Management Committee in presence of Principal, staff members and students. Students presented cultural items.
SM Shishu Niketan Higher Secondary School, Anand Nagar, Patta Bohri celebrated Republic Day. Chairperson Santosh Mahajan, Managing Director Parnesh Mahajan, Liaison Officer Harvinder Sihotra, Principal Sunita Koul, Coordinator Kawaljeet Kour and staff members were present on the occasion. Students delivered speeches of national personalities.
St Xavier Convent Senior Secondary School, Barnai celebrated Republic Day. Director of the school HR Padha unfurled the National Flag, followed by March Past by students. Students also presented dance items. Principal Pankaj Vihans highlighted the importance of the day.
Project Model Higher Secondary School, Pamposh Colony, Janipur celebrated Republic Day. The National Flag was hoisted by tiny toddlers along with teachers and family members. Students also presented cultural items, followed by speeches by teachers. A kaleidoscope of the life and works of Dr Abdul Kalam Azad was presented by the students.
SOS Herman Gmeiner School celebrated Republic Day. RK Dhar, Principal hoisted the National Flag, followed by March Past and cultural items by students.
Republic Day was celebrated at Activity Higher Secondary School, Janipur Colony. Students presented cultural programme and speeches. Managing Director Manohar Gupta and Principal Rishi Gupta highlighted the importance of the day.
65th Republic Day was celebrated at Lawrence Public School by students of Panjtirthi and Sidhra branches. The day began with hoisting of the National Flag, followed by National Anthem, patriotic Hindi songs, dance items and speeches.
65th Republic Day was celebrated by Stephens International Public School. The programme commenced with hoisting of National Flag, followed by National Anthem, patriotic songs and dance skit by students. Vice principal Rama Jamwal threw light on the importance of the day.
RM Public School celebrated 65th Republic Day. Chairman Rameshwar Mengi hoisted the National Flag in presence of Principal Ravinder Kour, Administrator Meenakshi Sharma, Vice Principal Shashi Jamwal, staff members and students. Students sang patriotic songs and also presented dance items.
To commemorate 65th Republic Day, Jammu Sanskrit School organized a special Assembly. National Flag was hoisted by School Principal Rohini Aima followed by National Anthem. Students presented patriotic songs and energetic traditional folk dance, Principal Rohini Aima highlighted the importance of the day.
Republic Day was celebrated at May Fair Schools at Chand Nagar and Janipur. Vijay Basur was the chief guest, while Director Abhey, Vidya Sagar, Principal of Chand Nagar branch, Ranjeet Kour, Principal of Janipur branch, staff members and students were also present. Students presented cultural programme.
Republic Day was celebrated at Minerva School of Learning, Muthi, Akalpur, in which students participated actively. Students presented speeches, followed by story telling and poem recitation. Anjni Bhat presided over the function, while the programme was adjudged by Nimmi Peer and Usha Koul.
SD Tara Puri Public School, Gandhi Nagar celebrated Republic Day. Ram Lal Sharma, School Secretary highlighted the importance of the day. Neeru Puri, Principal of the school was also present. National Flag making craft competition was organised by Fabric Colours.
Republic Day was celebrated at Co-Operative Public High School, Ambphalla in which staff members, students and their parents participated. Veena Kumari hoisted the National Flag. Students presented cultural items. Headmistress of the school Veenu Prabhakar highlighted the importance of the day.
GLS Public school, Gole Gujral Road celebrated 65th Republic Day. Ashutosh Sharma Executive Director was the chief guest and Gurpreet Singh, Administrator of the school presided over the function. The function started with “National Anthem” followed by hosting of National flag, march past, songs, dance items and speeches on the importance of the day.
Crescent Public School celebrated 65th Republic Day. Chairman Arshad Choudhary, Managing Director Tasneem Kousar, Principal RS Pathania and Co-ordinator Vijay Pandita were also present. The main attraction of the day was a stunning performance by the little crecentians with an Indian Flag prepared by them. The cultural program also included patriotic song, skit, poem etc.
Children of Mother’s Pride and Joy Pre School celebrated 65th Republic Day. The event began with hoisting of National Flag by School Director Principal Mona Khurana in presence of students and staff members. Children sang patriotic sings and also presented dance items.
KIDZEE celebrated Republic Day at its branches at Gandhi Nagar, Anand Nagar, Channi Himmat and Talab Tillo. The celebration started with hoisting of National Flag, followed by dance, drill and other activities.
DRS Kids International School Vijaypur celebrated Republic Day and aware the kids about the Indian Constitution. Principal Rajni Choudhary, teachers Sumna Rana, Priyanka Thappa and Geeta Yadav, Care taker Pinky Mangotra and Sudipta Mangotra expressed their views highlighted the importance of the day.
Humming Buds celebrated Republic Day at its BC Road and Residency Road branches. The little kids adorned tricolour bands. A wide range of special activities including dance items were organised. Principal Model Academy Dr Chitra Mishra, Rupa Gupta, Ruchika Gupta, Project Director and staff members were also present.
Republic Day was celebrated by Narulas The First Step School, Trikuta Nagar. The programme started with hoisting of National Flag by Principal Tanvi Narula, followed by March Past and patriotic items by students.
Lord Mahavira Play Way School celebrated Republic Day, in which staff members and students participated actively. Students attired as national personalities sang various patriotic songs. Principal Madhu Sharma threw light on the importance of the day.
Nightingale Pre School, Channi Himmat and Rehari celebrated Republic Day. The function started with National Flag hoisting by Yudhvir Sethi, BJP leader in presence of BJYM State president Ravinder Raina, staff members and students. Principal Sonia Jain and Priyanka Kapoor highlighted the importance of the day.
DRS Kids Bantalab celebrated Republic Day. Kapil Chib, MD of the school hoisted the National Flag in presence of Principal Monica Sharma, staff members and students. On the occasion, a fancy dress competition was held, in which students attired as freedom fighters participated.
Daffodils Care Convent Play Way School, Jain Bazar celebrated Republic Day. Principal Shikha Puri hoisted the National Flag. Children were dressed up as national personalities. Children presented cultural items. A patriotic movie was shown to the children.
776 security personnel awarded on eve of Republic day
NEW DELHI, Jan 25:
776 police, paramilitary and other security personnel have been awarded service medals on the eve of 65th Republic day.
The President’s Police Medal for Gallantry has been awarded to four security personnel, 44 policemen have been decorated with the Police Medal for Gallantry.
A maximum of 15 medals for bravery have been bagged by the country’s largest paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Out of these, seven troopers have been awarded posthumously for their daredevilry in anti-Naxal operations.
According to an official release issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the President’s police medal for distinguished service has been given to 94 personnel, while the police medal for meritorious service has been given to 624 personnel this time.
“The President has also approved 41 Correctional Service Medals on this occasion. The Correctional Service medal for distinguished service has been given to two officers while Correctional Service medal for meritorious service to 39 officers have been awarded from 15 states and Union Territories on the occasion of Republic Day, 2014,” the release said.
Amongst the other awardees in the PMG category are 10 police personnel from Jharkhand, eight from Jammu and Kashmir, four from Uttar Pradesh, three from Madhya Pradesh and one officer each from Assam, Maharashtra, Punjab and Rajasthan police departments. (PTI)
1 ADGP, 2 IGPs among 25 Cops awarded S K Police Medals
Excelsior Correspondent
Jammu, Jan 25: The Government today awarded Sher-i-Kashmir Police Medals for Gallantry and Meritorious Services to 25 Police personnel for their services during 2013.
The medals are awarded on the eve of Republic Day every year.
Officers awarded Sher-i-Kashmir Police Medal for Meritorious Services include V K Singh ADGP, K. L. Baghat DIG, Aijaz Rasool Mir, DySP and Rasheeq Ahmed Mir DySP.
Awardees of Sher-i-Kashmir Police Medal for Gallantry are S/Shri Kameshwar Puri DySP, Shakeel Ahmed Bhat Inspector, Imtiyaz Hussain Mir SP, Khurshid Ahmed Follower, Mohammad Shafi SI, Mohammad Hussain, SGC, Shahid Mehraj SP, Zahoor Ahmed Dy.SP, Adil Ahmed SI, Mohamad Yousuf HC, Umer Bashir Constable, Javaid Ahmed Constable, Javaid Hassan SP, Aumer Iqbal DySP, Sham Singh HC, Mashoor Ahmed DySP Ghanshyam ASI, Kuldeep Kumar SI, Mohammad Shafi SGC, Sunil Kumar SGC and Mohammad Ulfat SGC.
Tension in Mendhar as PDP workers protest
Excelsior Correspondent
MENDHAR, Jan 25: Tension gripped the entire Mendhar town this afternoon as hundreds of workers of PDP came out on the road and started massive protest demonstration against the NC-led State Government for allegedly keeping local MLA, Sardar Rafiq Hussain Khan from PDP, away from the official Republic Day function.
A large number of PDP workers led by Nadeem Ahmed Khan, State general secretary PDP youth wing and other senior party leaders Maroof Ahmed and Wasim Ahmed Khan came out on the road and raised barricades. The market was also closed sensing trouble. A strong mob of PDP workers and supporters of MLA had assembled in the town to lodge strong protest against the State Government. They stalled the movement of traffic on the road.
They were shouting slogans against Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Deputy Commissioner Poonch. They alleged that in all the Assembly segments as per standing Government order, respective MLAs will hoist National Flag in the Republic Day function but for Mendhar constituency a separate order was issued by the GAD on the behest of Chief Minister that SDM Mendhar would hoist the National Flag tomorrow at the official function.
By playing dirty politics and providing political gains to local NC leader and Dy Chairman Legislative Council Javed Rana, the NC leadership asked GAD to issue controversial order and keep MLA away from the official.
Tension gripped the entire town over the issue. While SHO and the SDM Romesh Kumar reached the spot to defuse the situation, Addl SP Poonch Amit Gupta and Addl DC also rushed there sensing law and order problem. Additional police and paramilitary forces rushed to spot. The local shopkeepers closed market and movement of vehicles also came to grinding halt.
MLA later told Excelsior that by issuing such a controversial order by GAD on behest of NC leadership and that too, for Mendhar, keeping public representative (MLA) away from official Republic Day function, the Omar Government has been exposed for its nefarious designs. He said order of January 6 issued by GAD has clearly mentioned about the MLAs to host tri-colour in their respective constituencies but another order was issued on January 24, only for Mendhar constituency because it is represented by PDP and NC wanted to provide political advantage to its local leader Javed Rana. He said that PDP workers would not allow it to happen and for any law and order sitatuation, Government will be responsible.
Meanwhile, the PDP workers held protest up to 8 pm and then dispersed. They warned to storm into official function venue along with MLA tomorrow morning and only MLA would be allowed to hoist National Flag there.
Deputy Commissioner Poonch, Sajjad Ahmed Khan when contacted said that he and SP Poonch were cosely monitoring the situation. Additional deployment of police force has been made. He said that he personally spoke to the MLA and requested him to maintain peace and calm. He said the protest has been stopped now and party workers have returned.
Replying to another question the DC said, “Till late this evening, there was no communication from the higher authorities regarding any change in tomorrow’s programme at Mendhar. No doubt, the situation was explosive in the border town of Mendhar. We are keeping close eye on the situation and will take appropriate decision assessing the situation tomorrow”, Khan maintained.
French army kills 11 militants in Mali anti-terror operation
BAMAKO (Mali), Jan 25: A French counter-terrorism offensive in rebel-infested northern Mali ended with 11 Islamist militants killed and a French soldier wounded, military sources inside the operation said.
The action came as Paris steps up its campaign against armed groups linked to Al-Qaeda holed up in Mali’s vast desert, following the former French colony’s recent return to democratic government after a coup which plunged the country into chaos.
“The French military operation in the Timbuktu region is completed. Eleven terrorists were killed. A French soldier was wounded but his life is not in danger,” said an official from France’s Operation Serval military mission in its former colony.
A foreign source told AFP on Thursday troops were targeting the Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO), the Signatories in Blood — an armed unit founded by fugitive jihadist commander Mokhtar Belmokhtar — and fighters loyal to slain warlord Abdelhamid Abou Zeid.
A Malian military source confirmed the information, saying “the French have done a good job, because the jihadists, notably from Libya, are reorganising to occupy the region and dig in permanently”.
The sources said military equipment and phones belonging to Islamist militants were seized by French troops.
The French operation took place a few hundred kilometres (miles) north of the desert caravan town of Timbuktu, according to a Malian security source.
Two explosions were reported yesterday in Kidal, some 300 miles northeast of Timbuktu, an African military source and a local official said.
One blast was heard near a Malian military base and another north of the town near the regional office of the state broadcaster but no further details were immediately available.
Algerians Abou Zeid and Belmokhtar were leaders of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), which, along with MUJAO and other Islamist groups took advantage of a military coup in 2012 to occupy northern Mali before being driven out by French-led troops.
Abou Zeid was killed in fighting led by the French army in the far-northern Ifoghas mountains in late February last year, while Belmokhtar remains at large.
An African military source in MINUSMA, the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Mali, confirmed the operations on Thursday, while a local government source in Timbuktu told AFP “more than 100 French soldiers” had headed north from the town. (Agencies)
Copper, nickel turn weak on reduced industrial offtake
NEW DELHI, Jan 25: Copper and nickel prices declined by Rs 2 per kg at the local non-ferrous base metals market today due to reduced industrial demand.
Traders said reduced industrial offtake put pressure on copper and nickel prices to trade lower.
In the national capital, copper mixed scrap and nickel (4×4) declined by Rs 2 each to Rs 437 and Rs 1,075-1,076 per kg, respectively.
The following are today’s metal rates per kg:
Zinc ingot 117-123, nickel plate (4×4) 1,075-1,076 gun metal scrap 227, bell metal scrap 229, copper mixed scrap 437, chadri deshi 285.
Lead ingot 136, lead imported 134, aluminium ingots 150, Aluminium sheet cutting 151, aluminium wire scrap 153 and aluminium utensils scrap 150. (PTI)
Kerry-Aziz meet to produce blue print of US-Pak relationship
WASHINGTON, Jan 25: US Secretary of State John Kerry and Pakistan Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz would meet here next week and expected to come up with a “blueprint” on the future of the bilateral ties.
“There won’t be specific announcements, but there will be a blueprint produced in terms of where we continue to take this relationship and how we continue to advance it,” a senior State Department official said yesterday.
The much anticipated Strategic Dialogue between the two sides is scheduled to be held in Washington on Monday. This is the first high-level meeting between top officials of the two countries after the October meeting of President Barack Obama with Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the White House.
“Having seen the highs and lows of this relationship over the last four and a half years, both countries have put an enormous amount of effort into assiduously putting this relationship on firmer ground over the last year and a half,” he said.
“This is really kind of the fruition of it, but not in any way the end point. It’s yet another conversation, continuing the dialogue and continuing to strengthen that,” he added.
Another senior State Department official said on the security side, a major focus of discussions between the two sides is expected as Prime Minister Sharif has been helping to promote a stable and productive transition in Afghanistan through what’s going to be an important year with national elections, with the drawdown in US and NATO forces.
Leading a high-powered Pakistan delegation for the talks with top US officials, Aziz is scheduled to arrive here over the weekend.
Aziz, also the Prime Minister’s Advisor on National Security, is also expected to meet other top officials of the Obama Administration including those at the National Security Council, the Pentagon, the Department of Treasury and the Department of Energy among others.
“The Prime Minister had an excellent visit here, a very comprehensive set of meetings. I think he went back very pleased. Kerry had a similarly good visit, established a good relationship with the National Security Advisor.
“So, at a personal level I think people are comfortable with each other, they’ve gotten to know each other, and the dialogue can be very candid, a first-name basis sort of thing,” another State Department official said. (PTI)