MUMBAI, May 22: Two disc jockeys who played music at the rave party in suburban Juhu hotel were today called to police station for the second consecutive day for probe into the matter even as the investigators are trying to decode the language used in the invitation, police said.
“DJ brothers Romeo and Deepesh Sharma of Designer Hippies were today called to the station for the second day and their statement is being recorded,” a police officer at Juhu police station told.
As of now, the statements of five persons were recorded, the officer said but refused to divulge their names and other details.
Expressing suspicion on the language used in the invite, police are taking the help of various party organisers to decode the communication.
The invite which has been uploaded in Handa’s profile on a popular social networking site on May 14 read “Support the Music not the Drugs”.
The invite further mentions, “DESIGNER HIPPIES (United Beats Records, USA) ARE bringing the SUN “DOWN”. Lets rock this town- so get ready to get high. Please do not try to FLY. Because Flying is an illusion not a Reality, come with us and we’ll make you feel Gravity.”
“By using such language, the organiser tried to indicate the patrons about the availability of the drugs in the party?” asked the officer.
On May 20 night, police busted a rave party at Oakwood Premier hotel and rounded up 91 persons, including IPL players Wayne Parnell, Rahul Sharma and 19 foreign nationals.
The patrons were released in the wee hours next day after their blood and urine samples were taken for medical examination, police said.
Vishay Handa (31), director of the upscale Oakwood Premier hotel, was yesterday arrested under relevant sections of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, police said.
The investigators are also verifying the mails exchanged between patrons, DJs and staff of the hotel involved in organising the party. (PTI)
Police trying to decode invite language for rave party
UPA-II Anniversary: Govt failed on all fronts, will not complete its term: Naqvi
NEW DELHI, May 22: Alleging that the UPA-II Government has failed on all fronts in first three years of its current term, BJP national vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi today said the Government would not complete its full term.
“The three years of UPA-II were full of failures of the government. It has broken all the records of corruption,” Mr Naqvi told.
“This Government is going. Mid term polls are near,” he claimed.
The Congress-led United Progressive Alliance-II Government completed three years in office today amid charges of ‘policy paralysis’ by the Opposition parties, especially the BJP.
Mr Naqvi alleged that the economic situation of the country has deteriorated in the three years reign of UPA-II and there has been an increase in corruption and price rise.
Claiming that the Congress-led Government would not complete its term, Mr Naqvi said if the Government completes its term ‘it would be another burden on people of the country’. (UNI)
Molestation case: Police says probe almost complete
NEW DELHI, May 22: Investigations into the molestation of an American woman allegedly by an Australian cricketer are “almost complete” and a charge sheet will be filed in the court “very soon”, police said today.
Luke Pomersbach was arrested on last Friday after Zohal Hamid alleged that he molested her and hit her fiance Sahil Peerzada when he objected to the cricketer’s behaviour. The cricketer was arrested and a court granted him bail later.
Police have already recorded the statements of the victim Zohal Hamid, her fiance Sahil Peerzada who was punched during the brawl, his friend Miraj, cricketer K P Appanna and Royal Challengers Manager Avinash Vaidya.
A senior police official said the investigation into the sensational case is “almost complete” and investigators are likely to file a charge sheet “very soon in seven-eight days”.
The official said the accused and the victims are foreigners. The movement of the accused is restricted till the case is disposed of and so it is better that the case is heard fast, he said.
The official also said Pomesbach may be questioned again if needed.
Police is also planning to record the statement of some more Royal Challengers members like its coach Ray Jennings and its party coordinator.
Police sources said that the name of Appanna cropped up in the case after he was identified in a CCTV footage. He was seen accompanying Pomersbach to the room of the victim.
Police sources said the 23-year-old left-arm spinner denied that he tried to force into the room of Hamid and Peerzada as alleged. He also denied the allegations that he threatened Hamid to withdraw the case against Pomersbach, they said. (PTI)
Par panel recommends law to allow CBI pursue graft cases
NEW DELHI, May 22: There is a “dire need” to provide statutory powers to CBI in dealing with corruption cases throughout the country without the states’ concurrence, a Parliamentary panel has recommended.
“The Committee takes note of the opinion of the learned AG (Attorney General). But, it is noteworthy that a federal legislation, viz, The National Investigation Agency Act, 2008 is in place, which provides for an investigation agency at the national level to investigate and prosecute certain class of offences,” the panel said in its report tabled in Parliament yesterday.
“The Committee is of the considered view that a legislation may be proposed on similar lines, to give an effective statutory backing to CBI, which is a dire need of the hour, while taking care that the basic features of the Constitution are not compromised,” it said.
The panel had sought the opinion of the Attorney General on whether CBI could launch prosecution on offences related to matters in the Union List of the Constitution.
The AG had then opined to identify the specific matters.
“It is not open to provide that the jurisdiction of the bureau (CBI) shall extend to whole of India and that prior consent of the states will not be necessary,” the AG had said, adding that “in his opinion, this violates the basic federal structure of the Constitution.”
The panel took note of the Attorney General’s opinion, but suggested the Government to consider the legislation close on the lines of the NIA Act, 2008 to authorise CBI to probe and prosecute graft-related offences only.
The Committee, in its report on demands for grants (2012- 13) of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, also asked the Government to ensure that CBI’s modernisation plan should not be hampered due to budgetary constraints.
It took note of the deposition of the representative of CBI that the proposal pertaining to modernisation plan (revenue) – procurement of equipment or vehicles etc was not approved.
The panel noted that though the demand for Budget (Non Plan) was Rs 341.1 crore, only Rs 319.7 crore was sanctioned.
“The Committee strongly feels that shortage of funds should, as far as possible, not be a reason for delay in modernisation and upgradation of the premier investigating agency, whose mandate is increasing with the passage of time.
“The Committee is of the view that the Ministry should ensure that the efficient functioning of CBI should not be allowed to be hampered due to budgetary constraints,” the report said.
It has also asked the Government to form a committee without delay, to identify and review pending cases investigated by the CBI and to ensure their resolution.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee also noted “inadequate medical facilities” being provided to CBI personnel and sought a health care mechanism for CBI officers and staff close on the lines of those available to central paramilitary personnel.
“The Committee agrees to the fact that the CBI personnel are engaged in stressful work unrelentingly and that the medical facilities extended to them are inadequate…
It, therefore, recommended that the Ministry should put in place a healthcare mechanism for CBI officers and staff, on the lines of those available for paramilitary personnel on a 24×7 basis.
The panel has also approved a forensic evidence collection unit in every CBI branch for investigation and successful prosecution.
The committee also urged the government to expedite appointment of judges in the proposed special CBI courts.
“The Committee notes that 54 CBI Special Courts have become functional. The Committee would like to impress upon the Ministry to take steps to ensure that all the 71 Special Courts become functional and also to take steps to fill the existing vacancies of judges in the Special Courts,” it added. (PTI)
2.85 refugees make India home
NEW DELHI, May 22: India is home to nearly 2.85 lakh refugees, including 1.05 lakh state-less people, the Government today said.
Of the 2,84,746 refugees taking shelter in India, 1,05,634 are state-less people, including Tibetans, Minister of State for Home Jitendra Singh said told Lok Sabha.
The country is home to 83,484 refugees from Bangladesh, 69,544 refugees from Sri Lanka and 19,115 from Afghanistan.
Apart from 6,887 refugees from Myanmar, India is also home to 12 refugees from the United States, six from United Kingdom, 25 from Iran, 8 from China and 6 from South Korea, Singh said. (PTI)
Liberalised visa regime for Indo-Pak journalists sought
MUMBAI, May 22: Mediapersons from Mumbai and Karachi press clubs have called for liberalised visa regime for journalists from both countries to ensure free exchange of information.
The demand came at a seminar on ‘The role of media in promoting peace in the sub-continent’, where the 14-member media delegation from Karachi and Hyderabad (Sindh) participated.
The Pakistani media team arrived yesterday for a week-long visit. A 22 member delegation from Mumbai Press club had visited Karachi and Hyderabad in November last year.
Tahir Hasan Khan, senior reporter of ‘The News’ and president of the Karachi Press Club said governments of both countries should give multiple entry visas to journalists for atleast one year so that they can travel frequently.
Stressing the need for removal of media restrictions, Jatin Desai of Mumbai Press Club said currently only two journalists of other country are allowed to operate in the host country.
“Journalists of ‘The Hindu’ and PTI have to function from Islamabad and have to take permissions to travel even to Rawalpindi. Similarly, reporters from Pakistan stationed in Delhi cannot travel easily to places like Noida and Gurgaon,” he said.
Tahir Hasan Khan said if the two countries are considering providing multiple entry visas for businessmen of the two countries, the same should be done for journalists since it would create conducive atmosphere for enduring peace.
Fazil Jamili, editor Internet, Jang group of newspapers and the vice president of the Karachi press club, said the bitterness of the partition and the bloodshed that followed has ceased to exist in the new generation of Pakistani journalists.
“We are a liberal media now and the language of hatred is not used while reporting even though it exists in columns and editorials of right wing newspapers,” he said.
The language of hatred came from the government text books which has gradually stopped, he said.
Activist Karamat Ali said the media of the two countries would do a great service if they stop publishing and using language which promotes enmity like referring to each other as “enemies” or even “traditional rivals”.
If India is playing a cricket match with some other team, people back home support India, Jamili said.
Mumbai Press Club president Gurbir Singh suggested setting of a media working group to pressurise the governments of the two countries to allow free flow of information.
It was also agreed to bring on board Press Clubs from other cities of both countries in the information exchange programme.
There are sizeable number of women in Pakistani media. “Even though fewer are seen on field reporting because of irregular working hours, there were large number of them on the desk and magazines,” Jamili said.
Shamim Shaikh, senior reporter of ‘The News International’, said she has been a journalist for 22 years covering courts and religious parties. “I have not faced problems and even religious parties are accepting the fact that there are large number of women in the journalism field,” she added.
Tahir Hassan Khan said out of the 1,500 members of the Karachi press club, there were more than 250 women. (PTI)
Polling in 18 segments held on 3rd day
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 18: While several youth having some criminal background are also actively participating in the PYC elections being held across the State, the booth level polling in eighteen assembly segments of the State was held on the third consecutive day today.
The booth level polling in several assembly segments falling in Kathua, Jammu, Baramulla, Anantnag, Srinagar, Zansar in Kargil was conducted today. It was commenced in the State on May 16. Tomorrow is the last day of the booth-level polling.
Even on the third day of the four-day election process for the booth level committee members, a lot of enthusiasm was seen among the Youth Congress workers. The young activists of the party have displayed a lot of interest in the poll activity. It has been witnessed at several places, especially in Jammu and Srinagar cities that several youth having criminal background are also participating in the election process.
State Returning Officer for J&K Youth Congress elections, Pankaj Punia when contacted said that polling remained peaceful on the third day in the State. It was held in 18 segments today. Replying to question he claimed that he had no information regarding participation of youth with criminal background in the poll process. He said before nominations, it had been declared that anybody can file complain against any such person with criminal background participating in the process but no body came forward to submit a complaint.
Mr Punia further said in Kishtwar area a large number of Youth activists/ candidates have not completed their formalities. They had met twice and were given reasonable time as well. But they failed to fulfill the required formalities and complete their forms now they are alleging that their forms are misplaced which is not correct. The procedure has to be followed by all as per party directions. He said the polling is being completed there by tomorrow.
He said nearly one lakh voters are participating in this exercise in the State and this process will be completed tomorrow. The over all exercise of framing PYC will be over by the end of this month.
He said each booth level committee will comprise of five–members headed by a president.
Meanwhile, some PYC activists from Kishtwar have alleged that in 51-Kishtwar segment, LRO Udhampur has misplaced 580 membership forms. They also alleged that members from far flung areas like Padder, Wadwan, Marwah Dachan etc have been ignored. Majority of the forms from Kishtwar town have been considered. They sought inquiry into the matter.
JCC delegation calls on Relief Commissioner
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 18 : A delegation of Jagti Coordination Committee (JCC) today called on Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner, R K Pandita and demanded that the Jagti inmates be provided free of cost power supply.
The delegation expressed concern over the 18 hour power cut in the township and said that this inhuman attitude of the authorities has put the inmates of the township to lot of miseries in these hot Summer days. They demanded that power supply to the township be restored without any delay as their was no rationale in snapping the electricity to the camp for over 18 hours a day.
They said the power curtailment has added to the problems of the children as well as old and infirm and made it clear that the camp inmates whose majority is relief holders are not in a position to pay the power tariff. Moreover being refugees the Government was duty bound to provide the free of cost facilities to them, the delegation added.
They informed Relief Commissioner that while inaugurating the Jagti township the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh had declared that all the basic facilities will be provided free of cost.
The delegation said that the Government has rehabilitated the surrendered militants and crores of rupees are being spent for the same who waged a war against the nation but its coffers become empty for displaced Pandits. Moreover the stone pelters are also being rehabilitated while the plight of displaced people is being ignored.
The delegation demanded transport facilities for Jagti township, posting of three camp commandants, posting of staff in schools, granting of powers to Principal HSSS, Jagti, renovation of road and maintenance of Community Hall. The delegation comprised of Bushan Lal, Chand Ji, R N Dhar and others.
After several decades, Jammu getting back traffic signals by ending June
Delhi based company begins installation of system at 30 locations
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, May 18: After more than four decades, winter capital of the State is all set to get back traffic signals as a Delhi-based company has begun installation of system at 30 locations and would complete the task by the end of next month.
The traffic signals were first installed in Jammu in 1970s and remained functional only for a short-period. Thereafter no serious thought was paid towards this system, which was otherwise effectively managing the traffic in all the metro and various other cities of the country.
Now after more than four decades, the traffic signals are all set to be back and help in regulating vehicular traffic in the winter capital of the State and Delhi-based company Onnyx, which has already made operational such signals at five locations in summer capital of the State, has begun the installation of system at 30 locations in the length and breadth of Jammu.
“At present civil works are going on at several places and clear directions have been issued to the company to complete the work at all the 30 locations by the end of next month”, Commissioner, Jammu Municipal Corporation, Kuldeep Khajuria said.
The Director of the Delhi-based company, Pardeep Kaushik, who is personally supervising the installation of traffic signals in Jammu, said, “we are working well within the fixed time-frame and by ending June we will make traffic signals operational at all the 30 locations”.
The locations, where traffic signals are being installed are Satwari Chowk, Main Stop Gole Market, Green Belt Gandhi Nagar, Chattri Point, Bikram Chowk, Jewel Chowk, K C Crossing, Shakuntala Crossing, Medical College Crossing, Ambphalla, Canal Head, Bakshi Nagar Puli, Talab Tillo Chowk, BSF School Paloura, Radio Station Chowk, Library Chowk, Vigilance Rotary, Parade Chowk, Ranbireshwar Temple, Shalamar Chowk, Indira Chowk, Vivekananda Chowk, Shaheedi Chowk, Panama Chowk, Janipur Chowk, Roop Nagar, High Court, Kunjwani, Narwal and Bathindi Chowks.
The traffic signals will be based on micro-processor based controller software with LED lights and initially all the signals would be on stand alone mode, Mr Kaushik said, adding initially there will be separate control for junctions and they will be connected with each other at the later stage.
Responding to a question, he said, “in order to ensure that power crisis don’t hamper the functioning of the traffic signals, at each point there would be power back up”. He, however, said that traffic signals don’t consume much of electricity.
Director of Onnyx, which will also look after the maintenance part, said, “the traffic signals would run automatically as per the programming in the software and we would be able to change the same as per the requirement of the traffic police”, adding “there is a provision to regulate traffic even during the processions and festivals and for that we will have to only carry out some changes in the programming as per the schedule of the traffic police. Even junction wise changes can be made”.
In response to another question, he said that during the night hours, the traffic lights in those junctions which don’t witness much vehicular movement, traffic signals would be kept in the blinker mode for the convenience of the vehicle operators.
About the equipment and software being used in the installation of traffic signals, Mr Kaushik said, “European standard products are being used. Such products have already been used in many cities across the country”.
When asked, he said that company will provide brief training to the traffic police personnel in order to make them well versed with the new system. “It depends up on the Traffic Police Department as to how many personnel they want to get trained”, he added.
7 officers transferred
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 18: The Government today ordered minor reshuffle in the administration to post Sarmand Hafiz as Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara.
Sarmad Hafeez, Project Director, Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan has been pasted as Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara vice Yasha Mudgal, who will continue to function as Project Director, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan.
Hilal Ahmad Parray, who was under orders of transfer as Project Director, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) has been posted as Project Director, Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) vice Sarmad Hafeez.
Narinder Singh Bali, Chief Executive Officer, Jammu Urban Development Agency has been transferred and posted as Additional Secretary, Department of Tourism and Culture.
Shubra Sharma, who was under orders of posting as Deputy Secretary, Hospitality and Protocol Department, has been posted as Chief Executive Officer, Jammu Urban Development Agency vice Narinder Singh Bali.
Sudershan Kumar, Secretary, Jammu Municipal Corporation has been transferred and posted as Chief Executive Officer, Katra Development Authority vice Amarjeet Singh. Bhumesh Sharma, Deputy Director, District Employment and Counseling Centre, Poonch, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Director, Tribal Affairs, Jammu against an available vacancy.
Amarjeet Singh, Chief Executive Officer, Katra Development Authority has been transferred and posted as Deputy Secretary, Industries and Commerce Department.