Uttarakhan News Feb. 2011

Clashes at Corbett

The police fired in the air as a group of students from New Delhi clashed with local people at Bijrani gate of Jim Corbett National park at Ramnagar area of Nainital district. The Corbett administration also slapped a fine of Rs 10,000 on the students of Kanshiram College of Higher Education for violating the norms of the park, official sources said. The incident took place last evening when the students visiting the Corbett park by a jeep got down from the vehicle. Their guide Shailendra Rawat, however, asked them not to do so as it is prohibited in the park. Soon, an altercation erupted between them. It later turned into a scuffle and the students beat up Rawat. As the news spread, the police reached the spot and tried to take the students outside the park. Meanwhile, a large number of people also gathered at the gate of the Corbett park and beat up the students. When the police intervened, the mob also tried to snatch their arms. Later, the police fired in the air to disperse the mob. After paying the fine of Rs 10,000, the students left for New Delhi.

Tehri SP transferred

Uttarakhand government has transferred Tehri SP Kewal Khurana after having suspended two circle officers following a CID probe into alleged irregularities in departmental examinations for sub-inspectors in the state. Khurana has been replaced by Rajiv Swaroop as the new SP of Tehri district, police said. Satyavir Singh and Harish Kumar Verma, two COs from Tehri district, were last week transferred after an inquiry report revealed that they allegedly favoured appointment of a few policemen, who had appeared for the departmental examinations. Director General of Police J S Pandey had ordered the CID probe last month following allegations that these officers had tried to favour some policemen. The probe was headed by ACP CID Vimla Gunjyal.

Nishank defers yatra

State Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhariyal Nishank postponed his awareness drive to highlight development works of his government ahead of the upcoming assembly election in the state. Nishank had deferred his "Vikas Yatra" in view of the ongoing visit of BJP leader Thavar Chandra Gehlot, in-charge of party affairs in Uttarakhand, to Garhwal region, state party spokesman Satish Lakhera told PTI. The yatra would now commence on March eight when the BJP government would complete four years in office, he said. "Since the timing of the two leaders -- Gehlot and Nishank -- was clashing with each other, the yatra of the Chief Minister has been postponed," Lakhera said.

An official release earlier stated Nishank would embark on the "Vikas Yatra" from Champawat on February 20. Despite postponement of the yatra, Nishank flew to Champawat and reviewed various developmental schemes and intracted with locals.

Vikas Yatra under criticism

Hitting out at the ruling BJP in Uttarakhand for its plan to take out a rally highlighting developmental measures taken by it in the state, Opposition Congress said it is a move to misguide people. "During its rule in the past four years, BJP has done nothing except indulging in corruption, scams and scandals. Now, they have planned to undertake 'Vikas Yatra' from February 20 to misguide people ahead of the Assembly polls, due in 2012," leader of the Opposition Harak Singh Rawat told reporters here. Rawat alleged the BJP government has failed to bring out any new developmental or welfare schemes. They have not been able to even implement the schemes introduced by the previous Congress government.

Seven injured

Seven people, including two women, were injured today in a post-election clash between two groups in the Sohanpurgarh village of Haridwar district, police said. Following enmity over the district panchayat elections held yesterday, two groups clashed with each other in which incidence of firing was also reported, police said. The injured were admitted to a government hospital.

Financial support to ailing journalist

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank has announced financial aid of Rs 4 lakh to senior journalist and eminent author Sudhir Thapliyal for his treatment, officials said. Terming Thapliyal, author of the famous book 'Mansuri Macabre', as a legend of Indian journalism, the Chief Minister praised Thapliyal for his contribution to his profession, they said.

State bans strike by education officials

Uttarakhand government has banned with immediate effect any strike by employees of the education department. The ban will remain effective for a period of six months, educational secretary Manisha Pawar said here. The order will also be applicable to the school education board.