VOICE OF EX-SERVICEMEN PUNJAB

Zora report has little to say, no one to receive it

Punjab-appointed panel probing desecration indicts none

Ruchika M. Khanna

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 30

The seriousness attached by the Punjab Government to the one-man Justice Zora Singh Commission of Inquiry — constituted to inquire into the cases of desecration of Guru Granth Sahib last year — could be gauged from the treatment meted out to the author of the report at the Civil Secretariat today evening.

First, the offices were closed and there was no one to receive the report at the allotted time. Then, junior-level officials were sent after an endless wait and repeated calls, upsetting the judge. 

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Not that the report had much to offer. It does not draw any inference of a larger political controversy behind the theft and desecration of the holy book. 

The commission, over the past seven months, probed the three incidents of desecration in Faridkot district last year and the incidents at Bargari and Kotkapura, where police action was taken against protesters.

The 51-page report has merely recorded the statements of 206 witnesses, including police and executive officers. No officer has been indicted for the police action on protesters or inaction to trace the missing holy book from Burj Jawahar Singh Wala. It has, however, given certain recommendations regarding compensation to be paid.

Talking to The Tribune, Justice Zora Singh said he had held three public hearings — in Faridkot and Moga in December, February and then on March 31-April 1.

“We (the commission) met eyewitnesses and other people associated with the three incidents. The two brothers who were arrested and later released — Rupinder Singh and Jaswinder Singh — were also examined. Several key religious leaders like Giani Kewal Singh, former Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib; Bhai Panthpreet Singh, Bhai Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale; family members of Krishan Bhagwan Singh of Niamiwala village and Gurjeet Singh of Sarawan, who were killed in police firing at Behbal Kalan; other leaders like Gurdeep Singh were called and their statements and affidavits were taken by the Commission. There were others like Daler Singh Kheri Wale who were issued several summons but refused to appear before the commission,” he said. 

For several witnesses who could not come for public hearings, he added, the Commission went to their houses to examine them and record their statements.

Justice Zora Singh told The Tribune that all aspects of the desecration incidents had been looked into in the probe. “However, because our findings can interfere with the police and CBI investigation into the incidents, I do not want to discuss if there is a political conspiracy,” he said, adding that all police and executive officers had cooperated with them.

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No one to receive report 

Unable to get time from Chief Secretary Sarvesh Kaushal, retired Justice Zora Singh, along with his registrar and three staff members, reached the Civil Secretariat at 6.25 pm on Thursday only to find all offices locked. 

They claimed that the Officer on Special Duty to the Chief Secretary, DMS Bedi, had asked them to submit the report at 6.30 pm. However, the office was locked. Repeated phone calls and messages to the officers went answered. 

Finally, after 20 minutes in the sweltering heat, a clerk from the Control Room walked in rather apologetically and asked the retired judge to hand him the report. A visibly upset Zora Singh asked the clerk to call his seniors.

A senior assistant from the Protocol Department then came up and the retired Judge again refused. Special Secretary, Protocol, Rajeev Prashar, was finally sent there and he pacified the judge

Commission report

• Part I deals with three incidents of desecration of Guru Granth Sahib in Faridkot district
• Part II with Kotkapura chowk episode
• Part III deals with Behbal Kalan
• Part IV has recommendations for the Punjab Government

RECOMMENDATIONS TO STATE GOVT

• Compensation of Rs 25 lakh to the next of kin of Krishan Bhagwan Singh and Gurjeet Singh, who died in the police firing at Behbal Kalan, and a job to one family member
• Rs 10 lakh compensation to Ajit Singh and Beant Singh, injured in police action in Behbal Kalan and Kotkapura
• A claims settlement tribunal be set up to settle claims of those whose possessions got damaged in police action

POLICE RECRUITMENT

Dope test will lay bare truth: Dy CM

Deepkamal Kaur

Tribune News Service

Tanda (Hoshiarpur), June 30

Pointing out that three youths appearing for police recruitment in neighbouring Haryana had died of drug overuse, Punjab Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal today asked why Punjab alone was being portrayed as a land of addicts. Claiming that a mere 1 to 2 per cent of Punjab's youth were consuming drugs, he said a dope test on 6.5 lakh youths attending a police recruitment drive on July 5 would bare the truth.

Speaking on the sidelines of Sangat Darshan at Manngarh village in Tanda, the Deputy CM said, “The dope test on youths by respective CMOs will prove my point and expose the lies spread by the Opposition. The recruitment drive will be a sort of a survey to ascertain if the problem is rampant. I believe the drug problem in Punjab is the minimum when compared with other states in the country.”

Asked why then had he called a meeting of Vice Chancellors of 17 universities to discuss the drug issue, Sukhbir replied, “It’s for asking them to come out with a counter-drive so that Punjab is not defamed.”

On Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and PPCC president Capt Amarinder Singh accusing the SAD-BJP government of sidelining good police officers, the Deputy CM said, "Amarinder is once again dreaming of becoming Punjab CM. Even more interesting, his colleagues do not want him to be projected as the party's face for chief ministership. So, his utterances are that of a frustrated man."

Asked about Akali leaders' "involvement" in the Hoshiarpur land scam and the arrest of councillor Sham Lal Daddi in the job recruitment scam, Sukhbir tried to downplay the issues.

"In Punjab, one is either an Akali or a Congress man. Hence, if someone commits a wrong, it does not mean the party is involved," he said, adding that action would be taken after the government received the probe report on the Hoshiarpur land scam.

Not even 0.1 pc students will fail test: RakhraJalandhar: 

On the government's move to introduce dope tests for college students, Higher Education Minister Surjit Singh Rakhra on Thursday said: "We are confident not even 0.1 per cent of the students will test positive. The issue of drug abuse is only being raised to defame Punjab." — TNS

BJP, Cong workers squabble as Sampla, Bittu share stage

Leaders distribute aid to physically challenged persons

Kuldip Bhatia

Ludhiana, June 30

State BJP president and Union Minister Vijay Sampla and Congress MP from Ludhiana Ravneet Singh Bittu today shared the stage at a camp organised by the Department of Social Security and Empowerment to distribute tricycles, wheel chairs, callipers and hearing aids to physically challenged persons.

Even though Sampla and Bittu apparently got together in a cheerful mood, workers of the two parties had a tiff over putting up party flags inside and outside the venue on the Tibba Road here.

While the Congress workers claimed that the camp was planned by Bittu long ago and the BJP “hijacked” the function, the BJP workers asserted that it was a government function and the Union Minister of the department concerned should preside over.

The workers were later pacified following intervention by leaders of the two parties.

Terming the physically challenged persons as “divyang”, Sampla said these persons were an integral part of society and had to be taken along for the overall development of the nation. He said under a new scheme launched by the government, they were entitled to a cash assistance of Rs25,000 for purchasing a motorcycle. Further assistance of Rs10,000 could be made available by elected representatives from out of their funds.

Tricycles, wheel chairs, callipers, hearing aids and other material were distributed to around 2,300 persons at the camp.

Speaking at the occasion, Bittu said it would be his endeavour to ensure that not a single physically challenged person remained devoid of taking the benefit of government policies. “We shall continue to hold such camps with the help of Centre,” he added.

Bhattal, Manpreet differ on ‘red beacon’ culture

Nikhil Bhardwaj

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, June 30

Differences have come to the fore among the senior leadership of the Punjab Congress over the issue of ‘lal batti’ (red beacon) culture.

Punjab manifesto committee chairperson Rajinder Kaur Bhattal and committee convener Manpreet Badal, Jalandhar MP Chaudhary Santokh Singh and DCC rural chief Jagbir Brar were in the city to hold a series of meetings with over 25 trade organisations and Dalit leaders for the preparation of the poll manifesto.

When the manifesto committee was asked if the Congress manifesto would promise to wipe out VVIP culture (or red beacon culture) for elected representatives, Manpreet said, “Yes, it will be ended 100 per cent by the Congress if we come to power and the same will be in our manifesto as well.”

But Bhattal was quick to say, “No, we cannot pledge anything on red beacon culture at this moment. We can only recommend it to the Congress high command. The final decision lies with it only.”

On this, Manpreet looked on but kept mum.

When asked why they were meeting various organisations and making promises if the manifesto committee cannot assure anything, Bhattal reiterated that the high command has to decide it.

MP Santokh intervened and said, “The committee would recommend this to the state unit which would further send it to the high command for a final call.”

Announcing a series of measures for the welfare of the state, the manifesto committee declared that if voted to power, the Congress would bring over 30 legislations to tackle rising corruption, streamline the bureaucracy and to take on leaders owning ‘benami’ land worth crores.

Capt to swear by party manifesto

Rajmeet Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 30

A pledge to fulfill promises made ahead of the elections will be the key feature in the manifesto of the state Congress.

PPCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh will release the election manifesto under an oath.

Sources say the party wants to project Capt Amarinder Singh as a leader who delivers what he promises. “The entire campaign is thus built around him,” says a senior party functionary.

A manifesto committee constituted by AICC president Sonia Gandhi will finalise the party’s poll document that will comprise a pledge to address key issues. The manifesto will predominately be youth-oriented.

On the issue of drugs, it has been decided that apart from zero tolerance towards the menace, the party will come up with a time-bound programmee to eradicate the menace and set up fast-track courts for drug-related cases.

Key issues to be covered

• Creating jobs in government sector, besides in industry, agriculture, trade, transport, mining etc
• Waiving application fee for recruitments in government jobs and extending the upper age limit
• Setting up an Immigration Promotion Board to train and facilitate youth desirous of working abroad
• Loan waiver to farmers with landholdings of less than 5 acres
• Reservation for economically weaker sections

OPERATION BLUESTAR

Case against Army Generals, leaders sought

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, June 30

The Khalra Mission Organisation (KMO) today sought registration of a case against 30 leaders of the Congress, SAD, BJP, communist parties, Army Generals and the Congress party for waging an attack on the Sikh shrine in 1984.

They submitted an application in the Kotwali police station under whose jurisdiction the Golden Temple comes.

In their complaint, the organisation accused the then Indian political, bureaucratic, intelligence, Army and paramilitary establishments of conspiring to commit genocide against the Sikh community and Army attack on the Golden Temple.

Ex-servicemen wing of AAP set to garner public support

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, June 29

AAP Ex-servicemen Wing under the leadership of Colonel (retd) Gurdev Singh, Zonal Coordinator, held a meeting in Bathind.

He said on July 6 the party wing president Captain (Retd) Bikramjit Singh, would reach Bathinda and motivate Ex-servicemen to join the party’s campaign to get more people join in the party while the meeting for this was held today in Sangam Hotel Bathinda.

Major (Retd) Hardev Singh, said, the ex-servicemen wing of the AAm Aadmi Party would boost the campaign that starts in Bathinda on July 6.

He said the campaign would further be carried out in Bathinda Lok Sabha constituency on July 7 in which Mansa district would also be covered along with Bathinda district.

Cong leaders reach out to voters, face volley of questions

Nikhil Bhardwaj

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, June 30

Congress leader Manpreet Badal interacts with residents during his visit to Jamsher Dairies on Thursday

Industrialists submit a memorandum to former CM Rajinder Kaur Bhattal during a meeting of the Congress Poll Manifesto Committee in Jalandhar on Thursday. Tribune Photos: Malkiat Singh

As the Assembly elections in Punjab are coming close, the Congress, which has been losing ground in Punjab from the past two terms, seems to have jumped into the shoes of the ‘Aam Aadmi’ to garner support to regain power in the state. Its leaders have been sweating out in scorching heat to woo the voters, visiting door to door and announcing tonnes of promises to the people of the state.

The Congress Poll Manifesto Committee of Punjab leaders, including its chairperson Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, convener Manpreet Badal, Jalandhar MP Chaudhary Santokh Singh, DCC rural, urban presidents Jagbir Brar and Rajinder Beri, held a series of meetings with traders, industrialists and Dalit leaders as a part of preparing their poll manifesto.

Manpreet Badal was already in the city since last night. His morning walk to Burton Park along with PPCC spokesperson Navjot Dahiya, too, turned out to be a political-social meeting with the residents where he shared tea with them. Manpreet impressed everyone with his physical stamina by taking several rounds of the ground and skipped a rope, too.

As the day began, Manpreet had breakfast at his cousin-cum-former Congress MLA Jagbir Brar. The cousins, who had not been seeing eye to eye after Brar had dumped Manpreet’s PPP to join the Congress in mid-December 2011, were seen together after four-and-a-half years on Thursday morning. Later, they visited the Jamsher dairies where the solid waste management project is to come up. Manpreet assured Jamsher residents that the Congress would not let the SAD-BJP to set up the plant. “Tusi shey mahine ruk jao, fir asi nai lagan dewange”(You stop government from setting up the plant for six months, then the Congress would not let it happen).

Then the Committee held turn wise meetings with spare parts traders, ration depot holders, jewellers associations, hand tool industrialists, chemists, safai mazdoor union, sports union, doctors union, electrical traders, etc. Interestingly, all the union leaders were quite outspoken while asking the leadership to incorporate their demands in the poll manifesto. They categorically told the leaders if the Congress wanted to regain power after ten years, they must respect traders and industrialists’ demands else they may again face wipe out from Punjab.

The Jalandhar Ration Depot Holders Union told the Congress leadership that the Akali government forced the depot holders to leave this profession. They demanded that ration card should be made active than the blue cards which rendered the depot holders unemployed.

The Swarankar Sangh members told Congress leaders that if their party comes to the fore, they should eliminate the 51 per cent penalty being levied on jewellers if caught without bills. They said goldsmiths should be granted an OBC status.

Jalandhar Industrial and Traders Joint Action Committee president Gursharan Singh urged the Congress to simplify the VAT refund system. They also demanded that practice of C-form should also be abolished. They also demanded regularisation of industrial plots. Committee member Ravinder Dheer said there was no new scheme for the focal point area from 20 years. He also demanded that a single-window scheme for industry should be launched.

Congress leaders face wrath of Dalit representatives at Chanden Grewal’s residence

The whole Congress leadership reached prominent Dalit leader Chanden Grewal’s house where Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal, too, had visited to appease him regarding their protest against the upcoming Solid Waste Management Project. Grewal, who is the president of the Punjab Safai Sewak Union, categorically told the leaders that they had come to his house with their own motives and the Dalits would support the Congress only if all their demands were fulfilled this time. “When the Congress was in power, nothing was done for the Dalits. If Akalis are responsible for our plight, the Congress is more responsible and you have to accept this fact. Ask your leaders sitting here if they ever take part in our agitations being held for our rights against the government,” Grewal’s close aide Ajay Yadav categorically told the Congress leadership. The leaders remained at Grewal’s residence for over half an hour. Later, Bhattal admitted that whatever the Congress had done for the Dalits, it was less than required.

Zora panel wants action against cops

THE PANEL HAS ASKED THE PUNJAB GOVT TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST THE COPS WITHIN SIX MONTHS

CHANDIGARH: A judicial commission headed by justice Zora Singh (retired) to probe a 2015 incident of alleged sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib in Faridkot district has held Punjab Police officials guilty of unprovoked firing on “peaceful” protesters at Behbal Kalan village that led to the death of two persons.

Justice Zora Singh submitted his report in the Punjab chief secretary’s office here on Thursday evening. The commission recommended action against officials who ordered the firing and an aid of `25 lakh each to the family of killed protesters and `10 lakh each to the two injured. The commission also wants the government give job to a family member of the killed protesters.

The panel has asked the government to take action against the cops within six months. The commission examined over 200 witnesses.

Former senior superintendent of police (SSP) Charanjit Sharma, who was present at Behbal Kalan when police opened fire on the mob, was suspended by the government after the incident

The 51-page report was handed over to protocol officer Rajiv Prashar in a sealed cover. “I have been informed that the report has been submitted. I am yet to see it,” said Punjab chief secretary Sarvesh Kaushal.

The commission was set up in October 2015 after two persons, protesting against sacrilege incidents, were killed in police firing at Behbal Kalan.

The commission was also tasked to inquire into the theft of a “bir” of the holy book at Burj Jawahar Singh Wala village in June last year and recovery of torn pages of another “bir” at nearby Bargari village.

A “people’s commission” set up by a joint front of human rights organisations under justice Markandeya Katju (retd) submitted its report in March this year and blamed over half-a-dozen policemen for “excessive use of force on innocent people.”

Udta Punjab? Not without rave parties, says Sampla

Says figures on drug abuse in Punjab are exaggerated

State BJP chief Vijay Sampla (right) sharing a dias with Congress MP Ravneet Bittu in Ludhiana on Thursday.

LUDHIANA: The figures of drugabuse in Punjab are exaggerated, claims state BJP president and Union minister of state for social justice and empowerment Vijay Sampla, “or why hasn’t any rave party been busted in these parts?”Drug abuse was a countrywide problem, yet movies such as ‘Udta Punjab’ defamed a specific state, he said on Thursday here, sharing the dais with local Congress MP Ravneet Singh Bittu at a wheelchair distribution function. “Rave parties are natural where drug consumption is big,” he told HT, “and these are busted in metros mainly.”

“At a recent army recruitment camp in Rupnagar, no candidate tested positive for drugs. The same at other places,” said Sampla. He said the Akali-BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) alliance in the state was solid and going into the assembly elections together.

At the distribution camp on the Tibba road, nearly 2,300 people received free-of-cost hearing and mobility aids under a Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment initiative. Sampla said since his taking over as Union minister of state, the ministry had organised 3,000-odd similar camps. He requested Bittu to make his constituents aware of the scheme.

Asked why he had agreed to share dais with an MP from the rival Congress, he said: “We are here for a humane cause. Politics takes a backseat at these events.”