For Sheetal Birla, a research scholar, who has taken on the might of a heavyweight MLA belonging to the ruling party, the fight might have got over, but the battle has just begun. Even as Dibai legislator Shribhagwan Sharma alias Guddu Pandit has been arrested and his Z plus security cover withdrawn, the research scholar fears for her life like never before.
Talking to HT at her Kasganj residence on Sunday evening, Sheetal termed the security arrangements made for her family inadequate. Looking shaken from being on the run for the past 45 days, she said, “I still fear for my life. What will these three cops do? Guddu can do anything even from behind the bars. He has already threatened to eliminate my brother.” Though the police chiefs of Eta and Kanshiram Nagar districts have deputed a sub-inspector and two constables at her residence, the parents — Dinesh and Manorama Birla — too look terrified. They said, “Hamaare bachhe bahar bhi jaate hain, police kahan-kahan unhe security degi.”
Sheetal thanked Chief Minister Mayawati for taking prompt action and ordering arrest of the MLA. She, however, said, “Had Guddu not done what he did to me and agreed to desert his wife, I would have chosen to spend the rest of my life with him. I was madly in love with him.” In the same breath, she said her briefcase was with the MLA which had a lot of evidence to substantiate the charges and nail the latter. She expressed happiness over the suspension of the Ramghat (Bulandshahar) SHO for registering false cases but said, “Pathak has to be absolved of all charges. He is innocent.”
After the arrest, a whole lot of people are now coming out against the legislator. Former Principal of Agra College, Mukhtiyar Singh, has said some henchmen of the MLA, posing as policemen, had on June 17 last come looking for Sheetal at his residence and threatened him with dire consequences. The house of Pramod Pathak, who helped Sheetal when she went into hiding, was also attacked at the behest of the MLA. According to Singh, under whose guidance Sheetal is doing research, she has passed each examination with flying colours. He said, “After completing intermediate from Kasganj, she came to Agra College and was the university topper in post graduation.”
Meanwhile, contrary to his earlier statements, the Dibai MLA confessed for the first time that he had known Sheetal for the past seven years. Talking to reporters at Kasganj Kotwali, where he was brought on Sunday night, he said, “She owes me a lot of money. Not able to return the amount, she is trying to frame me.” He, however, categorically denied reports of his marriage with Sheetal.
Once known as a close aide of former UP Minister Amar Mani Tripathy, Guddu had deposed in court as a CBI witness in the Madhumita Shukla murder case. Guddu, believed to own assets worth crores of rupees, once worked as a driver for Tripathy. In the last Assembly polls, he got elected from Dibai as a BSP candidate, defeating the son of former UP CM Kalyan Singh. Police sources said Guddu was a leading property dealer in Noida and was wanted in more than a dozen criminal cases.
As a key Brahmin leader from Bulandshahar in western Uttar Pradesh, he is said to be crucial to Mayawati’s social engineering concept. And the issue of his arrest has begun assuming political hues. While the BSP is taking credit for nailing its own MLAs and showing zero tolerance for crime, the Samajwadi Party (SP) is trying to cash in on the recent arrest of BSP MLAs for serious crime. Party State Secretary Ramsakal Gurjar said in a statement that the BSP was a party of criminals. He said that Pramod Pathak was an SP worker and though the Ramghat SHO had been placed under suspension, Pathak had to be absolved of all false charges.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
BSP MLA in sex scandal?
Darpan Singh, Agra
Sheetal Birla, 28, a woman college teacher and researcher, who had disappeared from Agra under mysterious circumstances and finally surfaced on Saturday, has accused BSP MLA from Dubai (Bulandshahar) Shri Bhagwan Sharma alias Guddu Pandit of trying to kill her. Contrary to earlier reports suggesting she might have been kidnapped, she said she was constantly on the run to save her life. Her father had lodged a complaint on June 17 alleging she was kidnapped by a ‘powerful person’ on May 17. The MLA has categorically denied the charges, terming them a ploy by political rivals to malign his image. When contacted on Sunday, Agra DIG NK Srivastava refused to say anything.
Sheetal was located from a house at Shikohabad in Firozabad and brought to Agra by police. She alleged that the MLA had married her at Haridwar after their first meeting that took place three years ago at a trader’s house. She said, “When I came to know that he was already married, I tried to get out of his life. But he was not willing to let go of me and wanted me to be his mistress which was not acceptable to me.” She said, “He has been after my life ever since I began trying to get rid of him. I stopped being in touch with my family as he succeeded in tracing my locations as I made phone calls.” Strangely enough, she did not level any charge in writing, saying she had lost faith in police.
She said her friend Pramod was trying to save her from the MLA and his life was also in danger. Pramod has been arrested in connection with a case lodged earlier. Sheetal has also been booked in a case of fraud. She, however, said, “Cases against both of us are concocted, lodged by the same person at Guddu’s behest.” She said she was repeatedly threatened, misbehaved and told to keep mum and the accused is a sitting MLA of the ruling party there is hardly any hope for her in this case.
The MLA, on the other hand, refuted the charges, saying, “The Chief Minister can herself look into the allegations. I do not know any woman by the name of Sheetal Birla. If charges leveled against me are found true, I will quit politics and go to jail. The girl herself is a fraud who has already been booked by the police.” Contradicting this statement, police quoted the MLA as saying, “Sheetal’s brother was a friend. I used to go to their place.” When contacted, senior police refused to say much as the matter involves a ruling party MLA. A top cop said, “The matter is being investigated. Appropriate action would be taken.”
The MLA has dared cops to find any evidence against him, saying he is ready to be booked if the police can prove anything. But Sheetal has said she has ample evidence to substantiate the charges and nail the MLA. She said, “I have a cell phone for which the SIM had been provided to me by the MLA. The SIM has been issued in the name of one of his servants. Call details will show she has spent hours talking to me.” Meanwhile, when Sheetal’s statements were being recorded by the police here on Saturday, uproarious scenes were created and she even accused an Inspector of misbehaving with her.
Incidentally, Sheetal prior to her disappearance wrote to police that a BSP MLA was threatening to kill her. Shital’s father Dinesh Chandra Birla, a businessman based in Etah, received threat calls, police sources said. Shital, who was doing her PhD in chemistry and taught at Agra College, met the politician in 2006 when he was not an MLA. In December 2006, Shital lodged a police complaint saying the politician misbehaved with her for rejecting to his advances. She, however, withdrew the complaint after the politician apologised. The BSP leader re-established contact after becoming an MLA in May 2007. On May 10 this year, Shital again approached Agra DIG NK Srivastava, alleging the politician was harassing her. “He has evil designs and I fear for my life,” she reportedly wrote.
The MLA was once associated with former BSP minister Amar Mani Tripathi, in jail for the murder of poetess Madhumita Shukla. Shukla is said to have had an affair with Tripathi and had allegedly threatened to expose him after she got pregnant. However, this is not the only scandal involving Uttar Pradesh politicians. In October 2006, Meerut college professor Kavita Chaudhary was murdered allegedly by some Rashtriya Lok Dal ministers who are said to have sexually exploited her. On June 14 this year, former BSP minister Anandsen Yadav was arrested on the charge of kidnapping and murdering Faizabad college girl Shashi, 24, apparently after an affair.
Sheetal Birla, 28, a woman college teacher and researcher, who had disappeared from Agra under mysterious circumstances and finally surfaced on Saturday, has accused BSP MLA from Dubai (Bulandshahar) Shri Bhagwan Sharma alias Guddu Pandit of trying to kill her. Contrary to earlier reports suggesting she might have been kidnapped, she said she was constantly on the run to save her life. Her father had lodged a complaint on June 17 alleging she was kidnapped by a ‘powerful person’ on May 17. The MLA has categorically denied the charges, terming them a ploy by political rivals to malign his image. When contacted on Sunday, Agra DIG NK Srivastava refused to say anything.
Sheetal was located from a house at Shikohabad in Firozabad and brought to Agra by police. She alleged that the MLA had married her at Haridwar after their first meeting that took place three years ago at a trader’s house. She said, “When I came to know that he was already married, I tried to get out of his life. But he was not willing to let go of me and wanted me to be his mistress which was not acceptable to me.” She said, “He has been after my life ever since I began trying to get rid of him. I stopped being in touch with my family as he succeeded in tracing my locations as I made phone calls.” Strangely enough, she did not level any charge in writing, saying she had lost faith in police.
She said her friend Pramod was trying to save her from the MLA and his life was also in danger. Pramod has been arrested in connection with a case lodged earlier. Sheetal has also been booked in a case of fraud. She, however, said, “Cases against both of us are concocted, lodged by the same person at Guddu’s behest.” She said she was repeatedly threatened, misbehaved and told to keep mum and the accused is a sitting MLA of the ruling party there is hardly any hope for her in this case.
The MLA, on the other hand, refuted the charges, saying, “The Chief Minister can herself look into the allegations. I do not know any woman by the name of Sheetal Birla. If charges leveled against me are found true, I will quit politics and go to jail. The girl herself is a fraud who has already been booked by the police.” Contradicting this statement, police quoted the MLA as saying, “Sheetal’s brother was a friend. I used to go to their place.” When contacted, senior police refused to say much as the matter involves a ruling party MLA. A top cop said, “The matter is being investigated. Appropriate action would be taken.”
The MLA has dared cops to find any evidence against him, saying he is ready to be booked if the police can prove anything. But Sheetal has said she has ample evidence to substantiate the charges and nail the MLA. She said, “I have a cell phone for which the SIM had been provided to me by the MLA. The SIM has been issued in the name of one of his servants. Call details will show she has spent hours talking to me.” Meanwhile, when Sheetal’s statements were being recorded by the police here on Saturday, uproarious scenes were created and she even accused an Inspector of misbehaving with her.
Incidentally, Sheetal prior to her disappearance wrote to police that a BSP MLA was threatening to kill her. Shital’s father Dinesh Chandra Birla, a businessman based in Etah, received threat calls, police sources said. Shital, who was doing her PhD in chemistry and taught at Agra College, met the politician in 2006 when he was not an MLA. In December 2006, Shital lodged a police complaint saying the politician misbehaved with her for rejecting to his advances. She, however, withdrew the complaint after the politician apologised. The BSP leader re-established contact after becoming an MLA in May 2007. On May 10 this year, Shital again approached Agra DIG NK Srivastava, alleging the politician was harassing her. “He has evil designs and I fear for my life,” she reportedly wrote.
The MLA was once associated with former BSP minister Amar Mani Tripathi, in jail for the murder of poetess Madhumita Shukla. Shukla is said to have had an affair with Tripathi and had allegedly threatened to expose him after she got pregnant. However, this is not the only scandal involving Uttar Pradesh politicians. In October 2006, Meerut college professor Kavita Chaudhary was murdered allegedly by some Rashtriya Lok Dal ministers who are said to have sexually exploited her. On June 14 this year, former BSP minister Anandsen Yadav was arrested on the charge of kidnapping and murdering Faizabad college girl Shashi, 24, apparently after an affair.
Agra not ready for mega tourism boom?
Darpan Singh, Agra
The Commonwealth Games are barely three years’ away. And with the number of tourists likely to go up in an unprecedented way during the event, Agra hopes to reap rich dividends. Though the State boasts of steps being initiated in this regard, saying it cannot afford to make a mess of the opportunity, plans can go awry as the preparations to cash in on the tourists’ inflow or the existing infrastructural facilities are anything but up to the mark.
Though a whole lot of development projects aimed at upgrading the civic infrastructure have been announced and initiated in the Agra-Mathura region, highly placed sources told HT that most of them are not likely to be completed before the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in 2010. Experts in the tourism industry are expecting the number of tourists visiting Agra to go up by several lakhs during the event. However, the hotel industry is not looking well prepared for the boom and is awfully short of adequate accommodations to deal with the ‘historic’ numbers expected in the city of Taj three years down the line.
In all likelihood, thousands of new hotel rooms will be required to meet the demand, construction of which may take a lot of time, going by the UP Government standards. State Tourism Director General Sushil Kumar recently issued instructions to prepare a plan regarding construction of hotel rooms. Hoteliers have also been asked to come up with suggestions in this regard but anything concrete is yet to be finalised. Moreover, when tourists start flooding the city in 2010, more emporiums, restaurants and conference halls will also be needed.
When contacted by HT, Joint Director, Tourism, Avinash Mishra refused to say anything, saying he was on leave. If the impact of the Gujjar agitation on the industry is not taken into account, the number of tourists visiting Agra had been on the rise in recent times. But poor infrastructure is definitely a big hurdle. The shortage of hotel rooms was felt during the recent ‘holyday boom.’ Regarding apprehensions that if construction was carried out on a large scale, most accommodations would be left redundant once the Games are over, hoteliers say along with fresh constructions, makeshift arrangements have be made as well.
Said a source in the Tourism Department, “After all, Agra seeks a change in its fortune. Even otherwise, we are found wanting when it comes to accommodation for tourists.” As of now, the city can boast of only 5,420 rooms from its five 5-star, one 4-star, one 3-star and 300 budget hotels. Making matters worse, the government plan to provide subsidy on construction of hotel rooms has been put in the cold storage. Even the number of benches in the city does not suffice. Though tourists get to encounter the railway stations in Agra before they see anything else, marred by congestion and lack of sanitation, their condition can upset anyone.
Despite Chief Minister Mayawati announcing several schemes on April 15 last year, tourists continue to be a harried lot because of erratic power supply, drinking water crisis and poor health, sanitation and communication facilities. The lone tourism police station in the city is also in a shambles sending a wrong message to the outside world. Its upgradation plan is moving on at a snail’s pace and it is hard to comprehend as to how it will deal with a barrage of complaints during the boom. Experts feel a complete turnaround is needed in all these areas not only to rake in moolah but also to build a good image of the State and show hospitality to the touring guests.
Lack of proper guidance for tourists is another major problem with signposts damaged and a number of them becoming misleading, hardly serving any purpose. Said a tour operator, “Once in town, tourists are mostly left to fend for themselves. Even inside the Taj Mahal complex, such facilities are conspicuous by their absence, forcing visitors to struggle in getting to know which route to take to reach a certain destination.” He said Information on all important destinations must be provided so that tourists did not remain confined to the Taj and added tourist cells should also be opened at all important places in the city to guide visitors and show them around.
Though no government representative was willing to come on record over the issue, they refused to admit that the city was not prepared. When contacted, a senior official said, “Concrete shape is being given to many a project and even deadlines for their completion and inauguration have been fixed.” According to him, a bridge on the Yamuna close to the existing Jawahar Bridge should be ready by 2010 and work on at least three new flyovers in the city will begin soon. He said, “Work on the new Inter State Bus Terminus on the Delhi highway is continuing at a brisk pace. The condition of Paliwal Park and Shah Jahan garden will also be improved.”
The Commonwealth Games are barely three years’ away. And with the number of tourists likely to go up in an unprecedented way during the event, Agra hopes to reap rich dividends. Though the State boasts of steps being initiated in this regard, saying it cannot afford to make a mess of the opportunity, plans can go awry as the preparations to cash in on the tourists’ inflow or the existing infrastructural facilities are anything but up to the mark.
Though a whole lot of development projects aimed at upgrading the civic infrastructure have been announced and initiated in the Agra-Mathura region, highly placed sources told HT that most of them are not likely to be completed before the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in 2010. Experts in the tourism industry are expecting the number of tourists visiting Agra to go up by several lakhs during the event. However, the hotel industry is not looking well prepared for the boom and is awfully short of adequate accommodations to deal with the ‘historic’ numbers expected in the city of Taj three years down the line.
In all likelihood, thousands of new hotel rooms will be required to meet the demand, construction of which may take a lot of time, going by the UP Government standards. State Tourism Director General Sushil Kumar recently issued instructions to prepare a plan regarding construction of hotel rooms. Hoteliers have also been asked to come up with suggestions in this regard but anything concrete is yet to be finalised. Moreover, when tourists start flooding the city in 2010, more emporiums, restaurants and conference halls will also be needed.
When contacted by HT, Joint Director, Tourism, Avinash Mishra refused to say anything, saying he was on leave. If the impact of the Gujjar agitation on the industry is not taken into account, the number of tourists visiting Agra had been on the rise in recent times. But poor infrastructure is definitely a big hurdle. The shortage of hotel rooms was felt during the recent ‘holyday boom.’ Regarding apprehensions that if construction was carried out on a large scale, most accommodations would be left redundant once the Games are over, hoteliers say along with fresh constructions, makeshift arrangements have be made as well.
Said a source in the Tourism Department, “After all, Agra seeks a change in its fortune. Even otherwise, we are found wanting when it comes to accommodation for tourists.” As of now, the city can boast of only 5,420 rooms from its five 5-star, one 4-star, one 3-star and 300 budget hotels. Making matters worse, the government plan to provide subsidy on construction of hotel rooms has been put in the cold storage. Even the number of benches in the city does not suffice. Though tourists get to encounter the railway stations in Agra before they see anything else, marred by congestion and lack of sanitation, their condition can upset anyone.
Despite Chief Minister Mayawati announcing several schemes on April 15 last year, tourists continue to be a harried lot because of erratic power supply, drinking water crisis and poor health, sanitation and communication facilities. The lone tourism police station in the city is also in a shambles sending a wrong message to the outside world. Its upgradation plan is moving on at a snail’s pace and it is hard to comprehend as to how it will deal with a barrage of complaints during the boom. Experts feel a complete turnaround is needed in all these areas not only to rake in moolah but also to build a good image of the State and show hospitality to the touring guests.
Lack of proper guidance for tourists is another major problem with signposts damaged and a number of them becoming misleading, hardly serving any purpose. Said a tour operator, “Once in town, tourists are mostly left to fend for themselves. Even inside the Taj Mahal complex, such facilities are conspicuous by their absence, forcing visitors to struggle in getting to know which route to take to reach a certain destination.” He said Information on all important destinations must be provided so that tourists did not remain confined to the Taj and added tourist cells should also be opened at all important places in the city to guide visitors and show them around.
Though no government representative was willing to come on record over the issue, they refused to admit that the city was not prepared. When contacted, a senior official said, “Concrete shape is being given to many a project and even deadlines for their completion and inauguration have been fixed.” According to him, a bridge on the Yamuna close to the existing Jawahar Bridge should be ready by 2010 and work on at least three new flyovers in the city will begin soon. He said, “Work on the new Inter State Bus Terminus on the Delhi highway is continuing at a brisk pace. The condition of Paliwal Park and Shah Jahan garden will also be improved.”
Agra, also a city of world records
Darpan Singh, Agra
When fourteen-year-old Akash Gupta on Tuesday last set a new world record by playing the guitar for 45 hours at the 162-year-old St. Peter's College in Agra to get into the Guinness Book of World Records, he also took forward the city’s legacy in sating records in different walks of life. People of the Taj city earlier too brought laurels by getting enlisted themselves in the Limca and the Guinness book of records.
In 1998, Dr Parth Sarthi Sharma made the record of treating the highest number of patients in a year. The Central Government also acknowledged the feat. Graduated from Vasundhura Raje Homoeopathic Medical College, Gwalior, the young doctor worked as medical officer in-charge at a local clinic and took immense interest in homoeopathy, developing special interest in treating patients.
In 2000, Dinesh Shandilya set the record of making and playing five-feet-long flute. He is now aiming to play ten-feet-long flute. Shandilya has his name enlisted in the Limca Book of Records and the Guinness Book of World Records for making and playing the world's longest and smallest flutes. In 1996, he made a flute five feet long and 3.5 inches in diameter. It was made of Poly Venyl Chloride because Dinesh could not find a bamboo of 3.5 diameters. The smallest flute he made and played is 4.5 inches long.
More recently, Ashish Sharma of Mathura created a new world record by viewing movies non-stop for almost five days, breaking an earlier record of 117 hours, four minutes set by a German woman. Sharma watched movies for 120 hours at the KD Dental College auditorium in Mathura. For almost five days, he kept watching films. He began on June 11 and watched 48 movies. Despite breaking the German record, he continued to watch movies for another four hours.
Akash, who broke American Brian Engelhart's 2005 record of 44 hours at and continued playing with the aim of breaking his own record of 52 hours and 48 minutes that earned him a place in the Limca Book of Records last year, now wants to study in London and become an aeronautical engineer. He however said, “But the process of learning has to be ‘musical’ or else I will lose interest. “ Though there is a lot of pain in his swollen fingers because of the non-stop playing of the guitar, he has not let the rigour dampen his spirit. He said, “I will never quit playing guitar; it’s my life.” To a question as to what inspired him to take on the challenge, he quipped in a lighter vein, “I thought, I would get a laptop if I made it.”
Guinness World Records judge Ralph Hana, who was in the city of Taj to witness the process and hand over the certificate, admitted to the trend and said an increasing number of people were queuing up to set records, which earlier attracted mostly Europeans and Americans. “Such activities get the people of the town together as they encourage and cheer their hero to scale new heights. As you can see in Agra, people are very involved,” he said. “The spirit of adventure is crucial for human progress. Ever higher, better than before - these thoughts fuelled man's urge to compete and set new records,” Hanna said.
When fourteen-year-old Akash Gupta on Tuesday last set a new world record by playing the guitar for 45 hours at the 162-year-old St. Peter's College in Agra to get into the Guinness Book of World Records, he also took forward the city’s legacy in sating records in different walks of life. People of the Taj city earlier too brought laurels by getting enlisted themselves in the Limca and the Guinness book of records.
In 1998, Dr Parth Sarthi Sharma made the record of treating the highest number of patients in a year. The Central Government also acknowledged the feat. Graduated from Vasundhura Raje Homoeopathic Medical College, Gwalior, the young doctor worked as medical officer in-charge at a local clinic and took immense interest in homoeopathy, developing special interest in treating patients.
In 2000, Dinesh Shandilya set the record of making and playing five-feet-long flute. He is now aiming to play ten-feet-long flute. Shandilya has his name enlisted in the Limca Book of Records and the Guinness Book of World Records for making and playing the world's longest and smallest flutes. In 1996, he made a flute five feet long and 3.5 inches in diameter. It was made of Poly Venyl Chloride because Dinesh could not find a bamboo of 3.5 diameters. The smallest flute he made and played is 4.5 inches long.
More recently, Ashish Sharma of Mathura created a new world record by viewing movies non-stop for almost five days, breaking an earlier record of 117 hours, four minutes set by a German woman. Sharma watched movies for 120 hours at the KD Dental College auditorium in Mathura. For almost five days, he kept watching films. He began on June 11 and watched 48 movies. Despite breaking the German record, he continued to watch movies for another four hours.
Akash, who broke American Brian Engelhart's 2005 record of 44 hours at and continued playing with the aim of breaking his own record of 52 hours and 48 minutes that earned him a place in the Limca Book of Records last year, now wants to study in London and become an aeronautical engineer. He however said, “But the process of learning has to be ‘musical’ or else I will lose interest. “ Though there is a lot of pain in his swollen fingers because of the non-stop playing of the guitar, he has not let the rigour dampen his spirit. He said, “I will never quit playing guitar; it’s my life.” To a question as to what inspired him to take on the challenge, he quipped in a lighter vein, “I thought, I would get a laptop if I made it.”
Guinness World Records judge Ralph Hana, who was in the city of Taj to witness the process and hand over the certificate, admitted to the trend and said an increasing number of people were queuing up to set records, which earlier attracted mostly Europeans and Americans. “Such activities get the people of the town together as they encourage and cheer their hero to scale new heights. As you can see in Agra, people are very involved,” he said. “The spirit of adventure is crucial for human progress. Ever higher, better than before - these thoughts fuelled man's urge to compete and set new records,” Hanna said.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Fresh lease of life for bird sanctuary
Darpan Singh, Agra
There is good news for the famous Sur Sarovar Bird Sanctuary. The state government has chalked out plans to convert the sanctuary, recognised as a wetland by the National Wetland Commission, into a tourist hub and a weekend gateway. The government has accepted a Forest Department proposal to improve infrastructure, agreeing to provide Rs 90 lakh for the sanctuary situated along the Delhi-Agra NH, 20 km from Agra.
Several wildlife activists have hailed the move. Official sources said the step was being taken keeping in mind the fact that the whole area around Sur Sarovar, which was named after Surdas, the famous poet of Braj Bhasha, is of cultural and religious importance. It is regarded as the birthplace of Renuka - Parsuram's mother, the meeting place of Surdas and saint-poet Vallabhacharya, and has an old Shani Dev temple. It is here that the river Yamuna takes a U-turn.
Confirming the development plan, Range Forest Officer Aarbi Uttam told HT on Wednesday, “As part of the plans, the Birds’ Interpretation Centre, guest house, canteen and children’s parks will be upgraded. Information on birds and animals will be provided through an audio-video system. The main gate will be developed as theme gate, which would be a major attraction.” According to Uttam, a high-tech reception centre will be set up to provide information about the sanctuary to visitors and special arrangements made for academicians to help them in research work.
Incidentally, more than 120 species of terrestrial and water migratory birds have been flocking to the sanctuary. Last year, 59 species, including pelicans, painted storks, whistling teels, spoonbills, Siberian cranes, Chinese koots, and flamingos, were spotted. Exotic Siberian cranes, Chinese koots and flamingos are among the winged visitors that left the now dry Bharatpur bird sanctuary, facing a severe water crisis, and are flocking to Sur Sarovar once called Keitham Lake. For the past three years, the birds have been coming to this 783-hectare lake with more than 300 hectares of land under water. A large number of local birds have also made Keitham their home.
According to Uttam, the sanctuary has witnessed better days in the last few years. Last year, 15,000 people, including 1,000 foreigners visited Sur Sarovar and the sanctuary earned a revenue of Rs 6.5 lakh. He said, “I am here for the past five years. Before I joined, Rs 25-30,000 was the maximum revenue that sanctuary could generate.” Though work on some of the accepted plans has begun, delay in fund allocation might prove to be a hurdle. Said an official, “The proposal was made last year and the government has given its go-ahead now. In the meantime, prices of construction materials have gone up. We are seeking a revised allocation.”
Uttam expressed concern over the fact that the Centre’s guideline to declare the area around 10 km radius of the wetland an eco-fragile zone was yet to be implemented as it was located in a crowded area. He said, “The decision has to be taken by the state government. People residing in the surrounding areas were using sodium light and causing a lot of noise pollution which was extremely harmful for the birds.” According to him, DFO Niraj Kumar recently proposed to the higher authorities that high-rise buildings should not be constructed in the vicinity of the sanctuary. Though an assurance was given in this regard, any concrete step was yet to be taken to check the practice.
There is good news for the famous Sur Sarovar Bird Sanctuary. The state government has chalked out plans to convert the sanctuary, recognised as a wetland by the National Wetland Commission, into a tourist hub and a weekend gateway. The government has accepted a Forest Department proposal to improve infrastructure, agreeing to provide Rs 90 lakh for the sanctuary situated along the Delhi-Agra NH, 20 km from Agra.
Several wildlife activists have hailed the move. Official sources said the step was being taken keeping in mind the fact that the whole area around Sur Sarovar, which was named after Surdas, the famous poet of Braj Bhasha, is of cultural and religious importance. It is regarded as the birthplace of Renuka - Parsuram's mother, the meeting place of Surdas and saint-poet Vallabhacharya, and has an old Shani Dev temple. It is here that the river Yamuna takes a U-turn.
Confirming the development plan, Range Forest Officer Aarbi Uttam told HT on Wednesday, “As part of the plans, the Birds’ Interpretation Centre, guest house, canteen and children’s parks will be upgraded. Information on birds and animals will be provided through an audio-video system. The main gate will be developed as theme gate, which would be a major attraction.” According to Uttam, a high-tech reception centre will be set up to provide information about the sanctuary to visitors and special arrangements made for academicians to help them in research work.
Incidentally, more than 120 species of terrestrial and water migratory birds have been flocking to the sanctuary. Last year, 59 species, including pelicans, painted storks, whistling teels, spoonbills, Siberian cranes, Chinese koots, and flamingos, were spotted. Exotic Siberian cranes, Chinese koots and flamingos are among the winged visitors that left the now dry Bharatpur bird sanctuary, facing a severe water crisis, and are flocking to Sur Sarovar once called Keitham Lake. For the past three years, the birds have been coming to this 783-hectare lake with more than 300 hectares of land under water. A large number of local birds have also made Keitham their home.
According to Uttam, the sanctuary has witnessed better days in the last few years. Last year, 15,000 people, including 1,000 foreigners visited Sur Sarovar and the sanctuary earned a revenue of Rs 6.5 lakh. He said, “I am here for the past five years. Before I joined, Rs 25-30,000 was the maximum revenue that sanctuary could generate.” Though work on some of the accepted plans has begun, delay in fund allocation might prove to be a hurdle. Said an official, “The proposal was made last year and the government has given its go-ahead now. In the meantime, prices of construction materials have gone up. We are seeking a revised allocation.”
Uttam expressed concern over the fact that the Centre’s guideline to declare the area around 10 km radius of the wetland an eco-fragile zone was yet to be implemented as it was located in a crowded area. He said, “The decision has to be taken by the state government. People residing in the surrounding areas were using sodium light and causing a lot of noise pollution which was extremely harmful for the birds.” According to him, DFO Niraj Kumar recently proposed to the higher authorities that high-rise buildings should not be constructed in the vicinity of the sanctuary. Though an assurance was given in this regard, any concrete step was yet to be taken to check the practice.
Bomb hoax creates panic
Darpan Singh, Agra
An anonymous phone call threatening to blow up the house of Gul Chaman Sherwani, a controversial Muslim Youth who earned the wrath of zealots of his community for supporting the Vande Matram cause in 2006, at Azampada under Shahganj police station of Agra, besides his in-laws place and the statue of Bharat Mata at Diwan-e-Chauraha under Hari Parvat police station at 3 pm on Tuesday caused widespread panic and chaos in the city. Sherwani had carried out his campaign near the statue.
Following the call, made to the City SP office at 1.10 pm on Tuesday, police officials sweated it out and security in and around the Taj Mahal was heightened. Movement of people and vehicular traffic to and from the monument were stopped and nearby markets closed. Local people and tourists had a harried time because of the threat as police officials with bomb disposal squads and sniffer dogs ran about and searched every possible place.
All railway stations, bus stands and police stations were put on alert. A massive check was conducted and a large number of vehicles were searched. Officials heaved a sigh of relief when nothing was found and the deadline of the explosion expired.
Incidentally, Gul Chaman Sherwani got into trouble from sections of Muslims here for singing ‘Vande Mataram’ when the nation celebrated the 125th anniversary of the national song in August 2006. A fatwa was also issued against him and his engagement to a girl was annulled.
To protest the action, he went on a hunger strike at the Bharat Mata statue for 10 days demanding justice. Though ostracised by zealots in his community, he got married in April last year with the band playing ‘Vande Mataram’, others dancing to patriotic songs and waving the tricolour, again annoying many. He had been facing threats since then.
A senior police official said, “Police are verifying the call. Though it proved to be false one but we cannot afford to be complacent. We are not taking any chances and have enhanced security at the Taj.” Police sources said the name of Gul Chaman Sherwani had figured as target in earlier threat calls too. Said an official, “We are trying to find out as to who made the call. We are also trying to know why Sherwani’s name is figuring in such calls. The culprits would be arrested soon.”
An anonymous phone call threatening to blow up the house of Gul Chaman Sherwani, a controversial Muslim Youth who earned the wrath of zealots of his community for supporting the Vande Matram cause in 2006, at Azampada under Shahganj police station of Agra, besides his in-laws place and the statue of Bharat Mata at Diwan-e-Chauraha under Hari Parvat police station at 3 pm on Tuesday caused widespread panic and chaos in the city. Sherwani had carried out his campaign near the statue.
Following the call, made to the City SP office at 1.10 pm on Tuesday, police officials sweated it out and security in and around the Taj Mahal was heightened. Movement of people and vehicular traffic to and from the monument were stopped and nearby markets closed. Local people and tourists had a harried time because of the threat as police officials with bomb disposal squads and sniffer dogs ran about and searched every possible place.
All railway stations, bus stands and police stations were put on alert. A massive check was conducted and a large number of vehicles were searched. Officials heaved a sigh of relief when nothing was found and the deadline of the explosion expired.
Incidentally, Gul Chaman Sherwani got into trouble from sections of Muslims here for singing ‘Vande Mataram’ when the nation celebrated the 125th anniversary of the national song in August 2006. A fatwa was also issued against him and his engagement to a girl was annulled.
To protest the action, he went on a hunger strike at the Bharat Mata statue for 10 days demanding justice. Though ostracised by zealots in his community, he got married in April last year with the band playing ‘Vande Mataram’, others dancing to patriotic songs and waving the tricolour, again annoying many. He had been facing threats since then.
A senior police official said, “Police are verifying the call. Though it proved to be false one but we cannot afford to be complacent. We are not taking any chances and have enhanced security at the Taj.” Police sources said the name of Gul Chaman Sherwani had figured as target in earlier threat calls too. Said an official, “We are trying to find out as to who made the call. We are also trying to know why Sherwani’s name is figuring in such calls. The culprits would be arrested soon.”
Police informer left in lurch
Darpan Singh, Agra
Even as people residing in about a dozen areas in Tundla and Firozabad continue to live in a state of terror after dreaded criminal Durgesh Jatav went berserk, spilling blood at several places, late on Monday evening, there is one victim here who is battling death facing him in more ways than one.
Police informer Bhuvnesh, who was shot at by Durgesh during a police encounter at Tundla, has been left to fend for himself. Hurt by bullets, he is feeling cheated by police as well. And the twin dangers of Durgesh and his injury are far from over. While he was admitted to a government hospital in Agra, Tundla City CO, who was also injured in the exchange of fire, is undergoing treatment at a well-equipped private nursing home here.
Worse, the Agra police have, at least officially, refused to acknowledge Bhuvnesh as a police informer. When contacted, Range DIG NK Shrivastav told HT, “No, Bhuvnesh is not a police informer; he is civilian who was caught in the crossfire.” The police stand seems to have badly hurt the victim’s family. Said a member, “Police often do not disclose informers’ names for the latter’s safety. But in this case, when Durgesh himself fired at Bhuvnesh, there is no logic but sheer callousness in disowning him.”
Till Tuesday morning, no senior official had visited the victim. A few policemen did come but nobody promised any monetary assistance for his treatment, alleged the family. It also alleged that despite Durgesh going all out to kill informers, there was hardly any security for the family. “Had the criminal been caught dead or alive acting on our son’s tip-off, the credit would have gone to the Firozabad police. So when his life is in danger, he should be protected,” said another family member at the hospital.
The condition of Bhuvnesh continues to be far from stable with hardly any sensation in his limbs. A bullet has gone past his neck. The fear-stricken family is struggling hard to arrange money required for his treatment. The victim’s father, Gaindalal, a retired teacher, said, “Earlier, informers used to be regarded part of the police force and such expenses were shouldered by the government.” A visibly shaken Gaindalal said, “Police did not even bother to take us to hospital. They just informed us about the shootout.” The family said if this was the reward, not many people would come forward to help police.
Meanwhile, the government is mulling to increase the reward on Durgesh’s head from Rs 20,000 to Rs 1 lakh. This will be the highest amount announced for any criminal in the State. Four of his accomplices, including his two brothers and an uncle, are already carrying cash rewards on their heads. A team lead by the Range DIG has already been constituted to nab the criminal and his associates. The Special Task Force (STF) will also assist the newly-formed police team.
Even as people residing in about a dozen areas in Tundla and Firozabad continue to live in a state of terror after dreaded criminal Durgesh Jatav went berserk, spilling blood at several places, late on Monday evening, there is one victim here who is battling death facing him in more ways than one.
Police informer Bhuvnesh, who was shot at by Durgesh during a police encounter at Tundla, has been left to fend for himself. Hurt by bullets, he is feeling cheated by police as well. And the twin dangers of Durgesh and his injury are far from over. While he was admitted to a government hospital in Agra, Tundla City CO, who was also injured in the exchange of fire, is undergoing treatment at a well-equipped private nursing home here.
Worse, the Agra police have, at least officially, refused to acknowledge Bhuvnesh as a police informer. When contacted, Range DIG NK Shrivastav told HT, “No, Bhuvnesh is not a police informer; he is civilian who was caught in the crossfire.” The police stand seems to have badly hurt the victim’s family. Said a member, “Police often do not disclose informers’ names for the latter’s safety. But in this case, when Durgesh himself fired at Bhuvnesh, there is no logic but sheer callousness in disowning him.”
Till Tuesday morning, no senior official had visited the victim. A few policemen did come but nobody promised any monetary assistance for his treatment, alleged the family. It also alleged that despite Durgesh going all out to kill informers, there was hardly any security for the family. “Had the criminal been caught dead or alive acting on our son’s tip-off, the credit would have gone to the Firozabad police. So when his life is in danger, he should be protected,” said another family member at the hospital.
The condition of Bhuvnesh continues to be far from stable with hardly any sensation in his limbs. A bullet has gone past his neck. The fear-stricken family is struggling hard to arrange money required for his treatment. The victim’s father, Gaindalal, a retired teacher, said, “Earlier, informers used to be regarded part of the police force and such expenses were shouldered by the government.” A visibly shaken Gaindalal said, “Police did not even bother to take us to hospital. They just informed us about the shootout.” The family said if this was the reward, not many people would come forward to help police.
Meanwhile, the government is mulling to increase the reward on Durgesh’s head from Rs 20,000 to Rs 1 lakh. This will be the highest amount announced for any criminal in the State. Four of his accomplices, including his two brothers and an uncle, are already carrying cash rewards on their heads. A team lead by the Range DIG has already been constituted to nab the criminal and his associates. The Special Task Force (STF) will also assist the newly-formed police team.
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