Nod to Panchayat Amendment Bill

Now, sarpanches to be elected directly by voters, earlier panches used to choose them
Chandigarh, March 28
The Vidhan Sabha today passed the Punjab Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2012, to provide for "wardbandi" and reservation of panches offices by deputy commissioners.
The elections to gram panchayats next year would now be held under the amended provisions. By doing so, the state government has reverted to the old system where the villagers directly used to elect a sarpanch.
The old system had been altered and the panches were given the power to elect a sarpanch from among themselves. As a result, at times even a person who did enjoy much support in a village used to become a sarpanch. Minister for Rural Development Surjit Singh Rakhra said the amendment had been necessitated as the previous system of indirect elections had been leading to factionalism in villages, which was hampering development.
The Bill, the last item of the day's agenda before the House was adjourned sine die, was passed without much debate. Only Tripat Rajinder Singh Bajwa of the Congress rose to make a suggestion that reservation in panchayats should also be provided for categories other than women and Scheduled Caste. But, Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal overruled it saying such an amendment could not be brought at this stage. Earlier in the day, the House passed the vote-on-account approving Rs 14,245 crore as expenditure for three months from April 1 to June 30.
Finance Minister Parminder Dhindsa presented the supplementary demands and the vote-on-account before the House. He assured the House that the promises made in the elections manifesto would be taken care of in the regular budget.
Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Sunil Jhakhar pointed out that the SAD-BJP government had promised unemployment allowance of Rs 1,000, increase in old age pension to Rs 500 and an enhanced Shagun Scheme. But the vote-on-account did not have any provisions for this. He said provisions should be kept and an additional Rs 120 core should be added for unemployment allowance, Rs 150 crore for increased pension and Rs 90 crore for Shagun Scheme as these people should not be made to wait for three months if the government was serious about implementing its promises.
Congress legislator Ashwani Sekhri said the Punjab Government must also keep aside Rs 142 crore as 1 per cent matching grant contribution to get central funds under the Jawahar Lal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNURM) for 138 cities in Punjab that required repair of roads, sewerage, etc. But, Atwal said it was not possible to make any amendments at this time.

Patiala Judge Murder Case

Lady doc among 2 convicted 

Accused Ravdeep Kaur and Manjit Singh come out of the district courts in Chandigarh on Wednesday.

Chandigarh, March 28
After seven years of trial in the case relating to murder of a senior Patiala judge, Chandigarh Court today convicted two accused including a lady doctor.
The Court of Additional District and Sessions Judge VP Sirohi convicted Dr Ravdeep Kaur and Granthi Manjit Singh under Section 302 of the IPC. The quantum of sentence will be pronounced on Friday.
The murder occurred on October 13, 2005 when Vijay Singh, who was the Additional District and Sessions Judge, was attacked with swords while he was on a late night walk in the high-security area of the Polo Ground in Patiala. He was stabbed repeatedly by the accused. Vijay (42) was holding the charge of presiding officer of the Chandigarh Labour Court at that time. He was son of former chairman of Punjab Public Service Commission Amarjit Singh.
Four days after the murder, the Patiala police had arrested two persons — a lady doctor working with a private hospital, Ravdeep Kaur, for masterminding the murder and Manjit Singh, who was a contract killer and executed the crime. He was paid an amount of Rs 5 lakh for executing the murder, police had said. The trial was transferred from Patiala to Chandigarh Court as no counsel in Patiala was willing to represent any of the accused in the case pertaining to murder of the judge. The case was transferred to Chandigarh in February 2006.
While establishing the motive behind the crime, the prosecution stated Dr Ravdeep had an affair with Vijay and was compelling him to marry her and divorce his wife. Vijay had three children and he refused to tie the knot with Ravdeep, following which she turned bitter against him and hatched a conspiracy to kill him.
Public prosecutor from Punjab Vijay Singla said strong circumstantial evidence led to the conviction. Call details of Ravdeep proved that she took an add-on connection three months prior to the murder, which was used to maintain contact with Manjit. She was in touch with him before and after the murder. Bloodstains and DNA samples of the victim matched with the blood stained clothes of accused Manjit.
The prosecution also stated Ravdeep made anonymous complaints against Vijay to the Chief Justice. It was proved that the anonymous letters were written by Ravdeeep. The police had also recovered Rs 4 lakh cash hidden in the harmonium of Manjit.

Rajoana hanging stayed

New Delhi, March 28
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday stayed the hanging of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh’s assassin, Balwant Singh Rajoana.
The convict was supposed to be hanged on March 31 at a jail in Patiala. Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his son Sukhbir Singh Badal announced the decision of the MHA by showing the letter they received from the ministry to the media. Earlier, the Chief Minister called on President Pratibha Patil and sought clemency for Rajoana.
The MHA acted on a plea filed by the Shiromani Gurdawara Parbandhak Committee and has informed the Principal Secretary, Home (Punjab) about its decision. The SGPC cited Article 72 of the Constitution to seek clemency for Rajoana. The President has powers to grant pardons, to suspend, remit or commute sentences in certain cases under this Article.
Joint Secretary (MHA), JL Chugh, in his orders passed tonight, said: “As per the procedure regarding petitions for mercy in death sentence cases, the execution of Balwant Singh Rajoana is stayed till the order of the Supreme Court in the matter of the criminal appeal no 2277/2022 and 1464/2011 or till the order of the President on the said mercy petition, whichever is later”. Rajoana’s case is unique as he has not sought clemency for his act. The special CBI court had awarded death sentence to Rajoana and Jagtar Singh Hawara in the Beant Singh case on August 1, 2007. Three others - Lakhwinder Singh, Gurmit Singh and Shamsher Singh - were sentenced to life imprisonment for hatching the conspiracy to kill Beant Singh. A Chandigarh court had issued death warrants to Patiala jail authorities earlier this month, asking them to hang Rajoana on March 31. Rajoana did not appeal against the judgment.
The death penalty of Hawara, who filed an appeal against it, was commuted to life term. Sukhbir Singh Badal told reporters that clemency for Rajoana was not a political issue. The residents of Punjab want him to be pardoned, said the Deputy CM of Punjab.

Rajoana village celebrates

As soon as news of the stay on Rajoana’s hanging reached his native village Rajoana Kalan, a wave of joy swept through the village. The villagers were seen bursting crackers and congratulating one another. Village sarpanch said, “We are very happy about the stay. We thank all those who supported the cause”.

Decision in interest of peace: Gurkirat

Chandigarh: Gurkirat Singh Kotli, Khanna MLA and grandson of the late Beant Singh, said the stay on the execution would ensure long-term peace in Punjab. “The hard-earned peace achieved after several sacrifices, including that by martyr Beant Singh, cannot be jeopardised and any step in the interest of peace and harmony will always be supported by us”, he said.

Capt lauds decision

Chandigarh: Appreciating the stand taken by the UPA Government, PPCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh said the decision will go a long way in maintaining the hard-earned peace in Punjab. Appealing to the people of the state to maintain peace at all costs, he pointed out that the Congress-led UPA Government respected the sentiments of the people of Punjab.

Khalsa March put off

Amritsar: Dal Khalsa leader Kanwar Pal Singh has stated that the Panthic outfits have postponed the Khalsa March which was scheduled to start on Thursday in view of the stay on Rajoana’s hanging. A group of Panthic outfits had given a call to start a march from all three Takhts in Punjab to Patiala on March 29. Meanwhile, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh has hailed the Centre’s move to stay the execution of Balwant Singh Rajoana.

Near-total bandh in Punjab over Rajoana’s hanging

Chandigarh, March 28
Punjab was in the grip of a saffron wave in support of former Chief Minister Beant Singh’s assassin Balwant Singh Rajoana with a near-complete bandh having been organised to demand clemency for Rajoana on a call given by the Akal Takht and various panthic organisations.
Patiala witnessed tension and even violence after the district police failed to prevent youth, raising pro-Khalistan slogans, from moving into the Hindu-dominated inner city around the Arya Samaj chowk. This resulted in injuries to four persons besides a police commando.
In Jalandhar, members of a radical outfit assaulted a head constable with a sword. They also tried to damage a statue of Beant Singh at the BMC chowk but thwarted from doing so.
State Home Secretary D S Bains claimed that the bandh passed off peacefully except for sporadic incidents of violence.
Bains said the police had to resort to mild lathi charge at Jalandhar and also in Deena Nagar. Trains were stopped at eight places, including Ferozepur, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Patiala and Tarn Taran districts.
Sources said though the bandh was, by and large, peaceful, fear psychosis had been created at some places with the impression gaining ground that the administration, particularly the police, was giving kids glove treatment to radical groups engaged in the protest. At most places, police personnel remained mute spectators and were even reluctant to intervene when shopkeepers were forced to down shutters.
Meanwhile, Congress legislators accused the government of supporting the bandh. Banga legislator Tarlochan Singh Soondh said the people’s attention was being diverted from real issues.
Patiala legislator Brahm Mohindra said a legal matter was being turned into a religious one. Congress legislator Sukhpal Khaira said the government was empowered to commute any sentence, including the death penalty under Section 433 of the CrPC and there was no need to approach the Centre on this account.
SAD spokesman Dr Daljit Singh Cheema derided Khaira’s statement as gimmickry, saying Khaira should realise that it was for the Centre to act in the matter as the incident pertained to the union territory that is controlled by it. He refuted allegations that the government had supported the bandh, saying it was spontaneous in nature.
The BJP broke its silence on the issue, with State BJP President Ashwani Sharma saying peace should be maintained at all costs. Senior leader Balramjidas Tandon was more vocal.

Clashes in Patiala leave five injured

(Left) Protesters block railway tracks at the Patiala railway station; (Right-above) security personnel at Chaura Bazaar in Ludhiana; and (Right-below) a jawan of paramilitary forces quenches his thirst.

Chandigarh, March 28
Apart from a police lathi charge on protesters in Patiala, Jalandhar and Phagwara, the statewide bandh passed off peacefully today.

Students stranded at the Patiala bus stand

Tension gripped Patiala after five persons, including a police commando, were injured in a clash when some youths brandished swords and raised pro-Khalistan slogans.
Sikh radicals had declared a Punjab bandh today to demand clemency for Balwant Singh Rajoana convicted in the Beant Singh assassination case.
The clash occurred in Arya Samaj area at 11.30 am when some youths took out a procession and raised pro-Khalistan slogans. Area residents objected to such sloganeering and a clash ensued which soon turned bloody with a mob of over 100 youths thronging the locality, attacking policemen on duty and damaging two cars and a two-wheeler.

Closed shutter of a bank in Amritsar

For some 10 minutes, area residents threw stones from inside their houses while some youths on the streets were thrashed by a mob. The policemen on duty, most of them young recruits, ran for cover instead of taming the mob.
The youths brandishing swords and sticks challenged the cops. Patiala SSP Gurpreet Singh Gill, who reached the site, suffered minor injuries when pushed around by the mob. The police then resorted to a mild lathi charge. Additional force was summoned and the situation was brought under control.
Commando (constable) Gurcharan Singh was injured and admitted to a private hospital.
Patiala DC Vikas Garg, who reached Arya Samaj area, faced a barrage of complaints and he left within minutes. Patiala IG Paramjit Singh Gill and DIG LK Yadav also visited the spot. Later in the evening, Garg said that the administration would pay the medical bills of the injured.
Patiala SSP Gill said they are trying to identify the culprits through video-recording and an FIR would be registered thereafter. Most business establishments in the city remained shut. Some trains were stopped. A group of radicals blocked the national highway near Rajpura for a few hours, causing inconvenience to commuters. A report from Sangrur said members of Sikh organisations clashed with shopkeepers in Lehra. Two persons received minor injuries.

Trains held up

In Jalandhar, the police resorted to a mild cane charge after activists of various Sikh outsfits assaulted head constable Harpreet Singh at a railway crossing. He received injuries on his hand. The armed activists also tried to damage the statue of Beant Singh at BMC Chowk.
Brandishing swords, the activists smashed the windows of a bank at Bhagat Singh Chowk and forced Central Government offices to shut.
More than 1,500 protesters gheraoed the Amritsar-bound Shan-e-Punjab train and the Jammu Tawi Express for almost 45 minutes.
Holding saffron flags, the activists, including women, took to the roads in open jeeps, SUVs, motorcycles and tractors. They forced the lawyers to close their chambers.
Some shops were ransacked in Attari Bazaar as also two banks at Phagwara Gate and the Mandi road.

Phagwara tense

Tension prevailed in this industrial town after a clash between Sikh radicals and activists of Hindu organisations near the old sabzi mandi on the Phagwara-Banga road this evening.
Over 12 persons- three cops, two scribes, four Sikh youths and three Hindu activists- sustained injuries. A car was damaged by some unidentified persons even as its occupants fled to save their lives. The police resorted to a mild lathi charge to disburse the mob. The police also opened fire into the air.
In Amritsar, the bandh crippled life with almost all commercial establishments, schools and colleges remaining shut. Activists of various outfits carrying sticks and swords ensured that the bandh was successful. The entire city wore a deserted look with government and private buses and auto-rickshaws off the road. The residents had a tough time getting LPG, petrol and diesel as all the filing stations and gas agencies remained shut. The police and paramilitary forces remained on their toes throughout the day. Government offices and hospitals also wore a deserted look. Dal Khalsa and Sikh Students Federation (Mehta) activists held separate marches in support of Rajoana.

Roadblocks

In Bathinda, the daylong bandh crippled life and disrupted public transport services in the district. Sikh leaders held a protest march in the city. A group led by Rajinder Sidhu, president of Khalsa Diwan Gurdwara Singh Sabha blocked GT Road outside Guru Nanak Dev Thermal Colony.Police commandos, riot vehicles and senior police functionaries were deployed there in strength.
The protesters, however, made way for the ambulances and the ailing. They squatted on the road chanting “Satnam Waheguru. There was a similar blockade near the Goniana mandi. The protesters performed ardas at Gurdwara Qila Mubarak. In Gurdaspur, various Sikh organisations forced a complete bandh in the town. State-owned and private buses remained off road. Banks too remained closed. A group of Sikh radicals tried to block the Gurdaspur-Pathankot road. However, SSP Varinder Pal Singh intervened and the protesters agreed to lift the blockade after brief negotiations.

Tibetan man dies from self-immolation in protest against a visit by China's president to India

New Delhi, 27 March 2012 - A Tibetan man died on Wednesday after setting himself on fire earlier this week in New Delhi to protest Chinese rule of the Himalayan region, activists said, hours before Chinese President Hu Jintao was due to arrive in India for a summit of emerging market nations.
Thirty Tibetans, mostly Buddhist monks and nuns, have set themselves on fire, mostly in southwestern China, in the past year, according to Tibetan rights groups. At least 20 have died.
Jamphel Yeshi, 27, set himself ablaze on Monday at a protest criticizing President Hu's visit. He died in a local hospital from his injuries, the general secretary of the Tibetan Youth Congress said in a statement.
"The fact that Tibetan people are setting themselves on fire in this 21st century is to let the world know about their suffering," Yeshi wrote in a handwritten statement found in his room.
Pictures taken by a Reuters photographer showed the activist running down a street enveloped in flames on Monday. He suffered burn injuries across 98 percent of his body.
Born in Tibet but living in exile in India, Yeshi was an activist with the youth organization, which seeks independence for the Himalayan region, under Chinese rule for more than six decades.
Hu is due to arrive in Delhi on Wednesday afternoon to take part in a one day summit between Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa -- known collectively as BRICS.
Indian police have arrested a number of Tibetans in recent days, activists say, in an apparent bid to prevent protests marring Hu's visit.
India hosts large community of Tibetans - including exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama - one of the main sources of friction with neighbouring China, which accuses the Dalai Lama of stirring unrest.

Hanging of Beant Singh assassin Balwant Singh Rajoana stayed

The hanging of Balwant Singh Rajoana, assassin of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, was on Wednesday stayed by the Centre following a mercy petition.

Sources in the government said that the hanging, which was scheduled to be carried out on March 31, has been stayed following a petition filed by SGPC, the Sikh religious body.

The sources said the decision to keep the hanging in abeyance was taken since a petition was filed in line with the guidelines followed in such cases.

The scheduled hanging of Rajoana had got the politics of Punjab in a turmoil with the ruling Akali Dal campaigning against his execution while its coalition partner BJP disfavouring such a course.

The state Congress leaders at a personal level had been favouring clemency.

Punjab bandh: Tension at Lehragaga, members of Sikh-Hindu organizations indulged in stone pelting

SANGRUR: Tension reigned at Lehragaga in Sangrur on Wednesday afternoon when members of certain Hindu and Sikh organizations indulged in stone pelting over the call for Punjab bandh against the upcoming execution of Balwant Singh Rajoana. Rajoana, who is co accused in the killing of then Punjab CM Beant Singh on August 31, 1995 is to be hanged on March 31. Both sides tearing apart the peaceful fabric threw stones at each other. Lehragaga is represented by former chief minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal in Punjab assembly.

According to sources it all started when some shopkeepers were playing cards in a market after downing the shutters. When members of some Sikh organizations objected to it and asked the shopkeepers to vacate the place, altercations took place between members of both sides. The slogans of pro and against Khalistan(separate Sikh state) started renting the air.

"When tempers ran high both groups took sides and threw stones at each other but somehow no one was injured", said an eyewitness." We were simply playing cards when members of Sikh organizations torn apart the cards and abused us, this provoked us to get back", said Sat Pal of the town.

"We just had asked them to put the shutters down and not sit before their shops that the members of Hindu organizations got provoked and situation became tense", Harpal Singh, member of a protesting Sikh organization.

Sangrur SSP Harcharan Singh Bhullar "some problem had cropped up over playing cards but police has took the situation under control and peace has returned to the place".

On the other hand working on call by certain Sikh organizations, the Malwa hinterland witnessed complete bandh on Wednesday. All the business establishments downed shutters and even banks put its shutters at half down. The markets at Sangrur, Barnala, Mansa, Moga wore a deserted look and life was put out of gear. The road traffic too was badly hit.

Members of Sikh organizations Dal Khalsa, Khalsa action committee, Khalra mission organization took to streets in some areas carrying flags as security personnel patrolled sensitive areas to maintain peace.On the directions of Shri Akal Takht, prayers were held at different places in the state in support of Rajoana.

Bandh hits life in Punjab; Akal Takht appeals for peace

A day-long bandh called by Sikh outfits to protest the proposed execution of Balwant Singh Rajoana, convicted in the Beant Singh killing case, disrupted normal life in Punjab on Wednesday. Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh has meanwhile appealed for maintenace of peace and harmony Reports from Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Tarn Taran, Bathinda, Ropar and Patiala said that the bandh hit normal life. Sikhs in Jammu also observed a bandh during the day, with reports saying that protesters had blocked the Jammu-Pathankot road.

In Patiala, the call for bandh evoked total response in the city where Rajoana is lodged in the local central jail awaiting his execution on March 31 as per Chandigarh sessions court orders.

The situation in the industrial town of Ludhiana was peaceful. Restaurants and eating houses were open while commercial establishments in some markets were partially open. Government offices were open  but the attendance was thin, a report said.

A report from Bathinda also said that roads were deserted in the city as people observed a bandh. Protesters had blocked the Bathinda-Mansa road, the report said.

A report from Amritsar also said that bandh call evoked good response from people, with shops in the walled city downing their shutters. Reports said people were also unhappy over disruption of normal public transport services in the state.

Bandh was also observed in Jalandhar and Kapurthala, with security forces patrolling the streets to prevent any violence in the two places.

In Jalandhar, a few Sikh activists tried to barge into State Bank of India and Oriental Bank of Commerce of branches. However, timely intervention of police and paramilitary jawans brought the situation under control.

In Phagwara, the bandh was complete in the city located on the Delhi- Jalandhar national highway. Road traffic was plying normally though passengers using public transport were few.

Section of Sikhs took to streets in some areas carrying flags as security personnel patrolled sensitive areas to maintain peace.

Hardliners Dal Khalsa, Khalsa Action Committee and Khalra Mission organisation had urged the Sikh community to voluntarily shut down their business establishments and observe the day-long bandh peacefully.

Security forces have been conducting flag marches at key locations in the state to instill confidence among the people. Security around Patiala central jail where Rajoana is lodged had been beefed up with erection of additional security points.

Special control rooms have been set up in the districts to keep an eye on the movement of protestors.

On the directions of Akal Takht, prayers are being held at different places in the state in support of Rajoana.

In Kapurthala, a complete bandh was observed today as all commercial establishments remained closed, a report said adding Pepsu roadways and private buses remained off the road.

Tension prevailed in Gurdaspur town when some shopkeepers at Bata Chowk asked the police to provide security to them to open their shop but members of a Sikh organisation forced the shopkeepers to close their shops.

They also forced the authorities of Axis bank to close the bank. The tension was defused when the police disperse the agitators, a report from Batala said.

In Mohali, normal life was badly disrupted following the bandh call.

All shops and commercial establishments, private schools, colleges and banks were closed as the protesters took out marches through various parts of Mohali, Kharar and other parts of the district.

Punjab bandh turns violent in support of Rajoana's clemency

CHANDIGARH: At least six persons were injured in a clash between two groups in Patiala during the Wednesday bandh in Punjab in support of a clemency demand for Balwant Singh Rajoana, a Babbar Khalsa terrorist, who is on death row in the assassination case of former chief minister Beant Singh. 

The two groups clashed in Patiala after some members of several organizations objected to Khalistan slogans raised by the clemency supporters. 

Another incident of violence was reported from Lehragaga in Sangrur district where members of two communities pelted stones at each other. 

In Jalandhar, protesters forcibly tried to close a bank and pelted stones at open shops. In Muktsar internal exams of students of a medical college were disrupted by the agitated demonstrators. 

The violent incidents occurred despite huge presence of security personnel. 

The strike till afternoon had remained peaceful and the state government had sounded a high alert and beefed up the security by deploying over 60,000 Punjab police personnel and 15 companies of para-military forces. Flag marches were carried out by the police department and the para-military forces in all the major cities. A complete 'bandh' was observed in Punjab hitting the normal life across the state. 

The bandh call was given by the Akal Takht, the highest temporal body of the Sikhs, which has been demanding clemency for Rajoana. Shops, business establishments and schools remained closed in all the major cities including Amritsar, Jalandhar, Phagwara, Muktsar, Faridkot, Moga, Sangrur, Barnala, Mansa, Bathinda, Mohali, Patiala, and Ludhiana. 

Public transport was also badly affected and roads remained deserted as buses throughout the state remained off the roads. Rajoana is to be hanged on March 31 as per the Chandigarh district court orders. 

Complete bandh in Amritsar 

Complete bandh was observed in Amritsar and Tarn Taran districts on Wednesday in protest against scheduled hanging of Balwant Singh Rajoana, accused in killing of former chief minister of Punjab Beant Singh. 

However, no untoward incident was reported from any part of districts. In the morning supply of essential items including milk, fruits and vegetables remained normal but the main markets of the city and towns, banks and schools remained closed. 

While Sikh radical groups including Dal Khalsa, Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), Shiromani Akali Dal (Panch Pardhani), Khalsa Action Committee had given a call of Punjab Bandh, the Sikh clerics had asked the Sikhs to 'refrain' from work. 

Sikh radical leaders had ensured that no one take out naked sword during the protests , however, a few Nihangs were seen flashing naked swords. 

In a statement, Dal Khalsa spokesperson Kanwarpal Singh expressed gratitude towards people of Punjab for extending support to bandh call. Dal Khalsa members under the leadership of Satnam Singh Paonta Sahib took a march on the streets of Amritsar. They carried flags having picture of Rajoana.. "if hanged, Rajoana would be a martyr of Khalistan struggle" said Satnam. 

Reports of bandh was also received from Switzerland, Italy, France and Germany where Sikhs kept their businesss closed. Founder of Gurdwara Sahib, Langenthal, Switzerland Ranjit Singh Masuta told TOI over phone from Switzerlad that in Langenthal, Hotel Langenthal and Shalimar Restaurant, owned by Sikhs, remained closed and Sikhs also fluttered saffron flags outside their business establishments and houses. "Sikhs also kept their business closed in Italy, Germany and France" he said. 

Meanwhile, police commissioner RP Mittal informed that no untoward incident or report of violence was received from any part of city. 

Tension reigned at Lehragaga in Sangrur on Wednesday afternoon when members of certain Hindu and Sikh organizations indulged in stone pelting over the call for Punjab bandh against the upcoming execution of Balwant Singh Rajoana. Rajoana, who is co accused in the killing of then Punjab CM Beant Singh on August 31, 1995 is to be hanged on March 31. Both sides tearing apart the peaceful fabric threw stones at each other. Lehragaga is represented by former chief minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal in Punjab assembly.

Jayalalithaa asks PM to declare Ram Sethu as national monument

A day after the Supreme Court sought to know the Centre's stand on Ram Sethu, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Wednesday asked the union government to declare it a national monument without further delay.

In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, she said her government would also separately file a counter to express its stand in this regard before the Apex Court, where the issue has been posted for further hearingon March 29.

"In view of the strong objection raised to the earlier alignment due to its archaeological, historical and cultural importance, I request you to take necessary action to communicate the views of the Government of India to the Supreme Court that it would take immediate steps for declaring the site as a National Monument without any further delay."

She noted that the Apex Court has directed the Additional Solicitor General to obtain the remarks of the Centre before Thursday on declaring the site as a national monument.

Jayalalithaa said petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court regarding the Sethu Samudram Channel Project.

"Based on the strong opposition to the earlier Alignment 6 cutting across the ancient structure, popularly known as Ram Sethu due to its immeasurable historical, archaeological and heritage value, a number of writ petitions were filed in the Madras High Court and in the Supreme Court," she said.

Jayalalithaa recalled filing a petition in 2007 praying for direction to Tuticorin Port Trust and Ministry of Culture, to declare Adam’s Bridge/Ram Sethu as a national monument.

It had also sought to take it over, preserve and maintain the same and forebear Ministry of Shipping/Surface Transport and Sethu Samudram Corporation Limited from in any manner destroying/damaging the site in the process of execution of Sethu Samudram Project.

Jayalalithaa said she would be sending her government's views on the RK Pachauri Expert Committee which was appointed by the Centre in 2008 on the directions of the Apex Court.

The Prime Minister-appointed panel, headed by Pachauri, had examined the feasibility of executing the controversial Sethusamudram project through Dhanuskodi instead of routing it through Rama Sethu.

http://www.opennetworkers.info/profiles/blogs/rameshwaram-tale-of-lord-sri

First Look: When a Tibetan set himself on fire