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.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
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.
Ganster creates fresh terror
Darpan Singh, Tundla/Firozabad
Hours after dreaded gangster Durgesh Jatav, who is carrying a reward of Rs 20,000 on his head, and his accomplices went on a blood-letting spree, killing the husband of a village pradhan and raining bullets on her, a Circle Officer (CO), a police informer and two youths, badly injuring them all, besides attacking several houses at as many as five places in Tundla and Firozabad, fear has gripped the entire region. While Durgesh unleashed a fresh reign of terror on Monday evening, policing came to naught as cops could only chase the bloody trail all the way from Tundla to Firozabad, without being able to nab any of the gangmembers. Though there is no official word on it, sources said a henchman of the gang was also injured in the police encounter.
Even as fear psychosis has gripped people staying in areas such as Hundawala Bagh, Rasulpur, Naya Rasulpur and Mangala Karan Singh, the region has been turned into a police garrison with additional forces deployed to keep the situation under control. When contacted by the HT on Monday, Agra DIG NK Shrivastav said no arrest had been made so far abut added intensive raids were being carried out to nab the culprits. He said, “The local police have put on alert and Durgesh would be nabbed soon.”
A police officer said at around 6.30 pm on Sunday two police teams led by Tundla City CO OP Singh and Tundla Sadar CO Rajesh Chaurasia — acting on a tip-off — reached near the house of the GRP SHO with two informers — Bhavnesh (Rasulpur) and Titu, son of the Shailai village pradhan. Soon, Durgesh, along with his brothers and accomplices, reached the spot but before the police could react, he resorted to indiscriminate firing. While Singh received bullet injury in his neck, a bullet hit Bhavnesh in the stomach. Both have been admitted to a hospital in Agra where they are said to be out of danger.
Enraged at the tip-off to police, Durgesh, who is wanted in about 30 cases of loot, murder, dacoity, police encounter and extortion, did not stop at that after his henchmen fled in a four-wheeler. While two police team made a futile attempt to chase the criminals and panic spread, the bloodbath continued as the gangster sitting on a motorcycle raided Shailai, native place of informer Titu, under Ramgarh police station of Firozabad and resorted to indiscriminate firing, injuring his (Titu’s) two brothers sitting at a medical store. He also raided Titu’s house and attacked his wife. On protest from villagers, he fled away, the police officer added.
His next target was Gadhaura village under Faria police station of Firozabad where he barged into the house of village pradhan Veeresh Kumari and continued to spill blood at will with police nowhere in sight. He shot dead her husband Shyam Singh Baghel. The pradhan was also shot at and injured. To protest the incident, angry villagers blocked the Kotla-Gadhaura road, demanding the arrest of the culprits. They did not allow the body to be lifted for autopsy for quite sometime. Even as a combing operation is on, Durgesh is said to be holed up somewhere near Shailai and Rasulpur. He also opened fire at Purana Rasulpur, where he had earlier killed an advocate, to create panic. On getting information, the Agra DIG first met the injured cop and then rushed to Firozabad to take stock of the situation.
Meanwhile, anger ran high among the local people on Monday who have been targeted frequently by the gang. Most of the roads wore a deserted look and people preferred to remain indoors. As in the past, they once again demanded from the state government to nab Durgesh, at the earliest, who has on many occasions attacked policemen of the state as well. Several residents HT spoke to said, “It is hard to comprehend how two police teams failed to reign in a couple of criminals who spilled blood at will.” They said they had lost all faith in the police machinery and went on to announce a reward of Rs one lakh for nabbing Durgesh dead or alive.
Hours after dreaded gangster Durgesh Jatav, who is carrying a reward of Rs 20,000 on his head, and his accomplices went on a blood-letting spree, killing the husband of a village pradhan and raining bullets on her, a Circle Officer (CO), a police informer and two youths, badly injuring them all, besides attacking several houses at as many as five places in Tundla and Firozabad, fear has gripped the entire region. While Durgesh unleashed a fresh reign of terror on Monday evening, policing came to naught as cops could only chase the bloody trail all the way from Tundla to Firozabad, without being able to nab any of the gangmembers. Though there is no official word on it, sources said a henchman of the gang was also injured in the police encounter.
Even as fear psychosis has gripped people staying in areas such as Hundawala Bagh, Rasulpur, Naya Rasulpur and Mangala Karan Singh, the region has been turned into a police garrison with additional forces deployed to keep the situation under control. When contacted by the HT on Monday, Agra DIG NK Shrivastav said no arrest had been made so far abut added intensive raids were being carried out to nab the culprits. He said, “The local police have put on alert and Durgesh would be nabbed soon.”
A police officer said at around 6.30 pm on Sunday two police teams led by Tundla City CO OP Singh and Tundla Sadar CO Rajesh Chaurasia — acting on a tip-off — reached near the house of the GRP SHO with two informers — Bhavnesh (Rasulpur) and Titu, son of the Shailai village pradhan. Soon, Durgesh, along with his brothers and accomplices, reached the spot but before the police could react, he resorted to indiscriminate firing. While Singh received bullet injury in his neck, a bullet hit Bhavnesh in the stomach. Both have been admitted to a hospital in Agra where they are said to be out of danger.
Enraged at the tip-off to police, Durgesh, who is wanted in about 30 cases of loot, murder, dacoity, police encounter and extortion, did not stop at that after his henchmen fled in a four-wheeler. While two police team made a futile attempt to chase the criminals and panic spread, the bloodbath continued as the gangster sitting on a motorcycle raided Shailai, native place of informer Titu, under Ramgarh police station of Firozabad and resorted to indiscriminate firing, injuring his (Titu’s) two brothers sitting at a medical store. He also raided Titu’s house and attacked his wife. On protest from villagers, he fled away, the police officer added.
His next target was Gadhaura village under Faria police station of Firozabad where he barged into the house of village pradhan Veeresh Kumari and continued to spill blood at will with police nowhere in sight. He shot dead her husband Shyam Singh Baghel. The pradhan was also shot at and injured. To protest the incident, angry villagers blocked the Kotla-Gadhaura road, demanding the arrest of the culprits. They did not allow the body to be lifted for autopsy for quite sometime. Even as a combing operation is on, Durgesh is said to be holed up somewhere near Shailai and Rasulpur. He also opened fire at Purana Rasulpur, where he had earlier killed an advocate, to create panic. On getting information, the Agra DIG first met the injured cop and then rushed to Firozabad to take stock of the situation.
Meanwhile, anger ran high among the local people on Monday who have been targeted frequently by the gang. Most of the roads wore a deserted look and people preferred to remain indoors. As in the past, they once again demanded from the state government to nab Durgesh, at the earliest, who has on many occasions attacked policemen of the state as well. Several residents HT spoke to said, “It is hard to comprehend how two police teams failed to reign in a couple of criminals who spilled blood at will.” They said they had lost all faith in the police machinery and went on to announce a reward of Rs one lakh for nabbing Durgesh dead or alive.
Agra's potato goes global
Darpan Singh, Agra
After the Taj Mahal and ‘petha’, it’s now the turn of Agra’s potato to go global. Md. Mushtaq Shamshuddin, a Singapore-based company, has given an order for 500 metric tone potato to Agra’s Agritech International, Fatehabad. The export is being viewed as a major boost to potato cultivation in Uttar Pradesh with several big farmers welcoming the move.
The deal could be signed recently at Agra with help from the Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI), Shimla. Agra, the biggest potato producer in Uttar Pradesh, had sent ten verities of the crop to Singapore and its kufri sutlej and kufri bahar beat China’s Holland variety in sample tests. The entire consignment has to be sent to Singapore in three months’ time. Potato is the world's fourth important food crop after wheat, rice and maize owing to its great yield potential and high nutritive value and accounts for nearly half of the worlds annual output of all root and tuber crops.
With an annual global production of about 300 million tonnes, potato is an economically important staple crop in both developed and developing countries. India is ranked 5th in potato production after China, Russian Federation, Poland and Ukraine. However, potato productivity in India is merely 16-19 tonnes/ha vis-à-vis that of European countries and USA, i.e 30-40 tonnes/ha.
CPRI Director Surjeet Singh said that the potato of China had reigned supreme in the world but this time around, the crop grown in Agra beat ‘Poland’ for health and several other reasons. The CPRI has also given a special certificate to Agra’s potato. Singh said soon the crop would be exported to several other countries, including Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Mauritius.
Singh said, “Processing companies have of late developed a liking for Agra’s potato and quite a few new units may soon come up in the city. The CPRI has demanded from the government that potato be accorded food crop status instead of vegetable crop.” He said that 2009 would be observed as ‘Potato Year’ and an international conference organized in this direction.
The potatoes in India are cultivated under highly diversified agro-climatic conditions ranging from sea level to snowline and up to three crops are raised per year. Potato is mainly rabi crop and is grown mainly in UP, Punjab, Haryana, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. There are four-potato export zone in India viz. in UP, Punjab, MP and West Bengal. The major potato markets in UP are Agra, Hathras, Kanpur, Meerut, Farrukkhabad.
After the Taj Mahal and ‘petha’, it’s now the turn of Agra’s potato to go global. Md. Mushtaq Shamshuddin, a Singapore-based company, has given an order for 500 metric tone potato to Agra’s Agritech International, Fatehabad. The export is being viewed as a major boost to potato cultivation in Uttar Pradesh with several big farmers welcoming the move.
The deal could be signed recently at Agra with help from the Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI), Shimla. Agra, the biggest potato producer in Uttar Pradesh, had sent ten verities of the crop to Singapore and its kufri sutlej and kufri bahar beat China’s Holland variety in sample tests. The entire consignment has to be sent to Singapore in three months’ time. Potato is the world's fourth important food crop after wheat, rice and maize owing to its great yield potential and high nutritive value and accounts for nearly half of the worlds annual output of all root and tuber crops.
With an annual global production of about 300 million tonnes, potato is an economically important staple crop in both developed and developing countries. India is ranked 5th in potato production after China, Russian Federation, Poland and Ukraine. However, potato productivity in India is merely 16-19 tonnes/ha vis-à-vis that of European countries and USA, i.e 30-40 tonnes/ha.
CPRI Director Surjeet Singh said that the potato of China had reigned supreme in the world but this time around, the crop grown in Agra beat ‘Poland’ for health and several other reasons. The CPRI has also given a special certificate to Agra’s potato. Singh said soon the crop would be exported to several other countries, including Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Mauritius.
Singh said, “Processing companies have of late developed a liking for Agra’s potato and quite a few new units may soon come up in the city. The CPRI has demanded from the government that potato be accorded food crop status instead of vegetable crop.” He said that 2009 would be observed as ‘Potato Year’ and an international conference organized in this direction.
The potatoes in India are cultivated under highly diversified agro-climatic conditions ranging from sea level to snowline and up to three crops are raised per year. Potato is mainly rabi crop and is grown mainly in UP, Punjab, Haryana, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. There are four-potato export zone in India viz. in UP, Punjab, MP and West Bengal. The major potato markets in UP are Agra, Hathras, Kanpur, Meerut, Farrukkhabad.
Another blunder by UP cops
Darpan Singh, Mathura
With the Uttar Pradesh police still getting flak for poor handling of the Arushi murder case at Noida and the CBI blasting the cops, earlier probing the case, for faulty examination of the crime scene, here comes another shocker — this time courtesy Mathura cops.
In the wee hours of Saturday, Tripti Khandelwal (28), wife of trader Ravi Khandelwal, was found murdered inside her residence (C-12) in the posh Radhapuram locality under the Highway police station of Mathura. The body was recovered from a divan. Incidentally, when the recovery was made, cops were busy conducting raids outside on being informed that Tripti was missing with her house locked from outside.
The matter came to light when Ravi returned from his shop and found his housed locked. On breaking open two locks, he found his son Kanak (4) in a state of shock, with his limbs tied with a stole. Kanak said someone came down from the roof, tied and thrashed him after which he fell unconscious. Police soon reached the spot and ‘after examining the crime scene’ left the house around midnight. A case of kidnapping was lodge, while the body was lying in the house.
Police sources said that at around 2.30 am, when Ravi, while trying to take out a mattress from a divan kept adjacent to his bedroom, found his wife strangulated to death inside. It also appeared that her face had been attacked with a sharp-edged weapon to ensure her death after being put in the divan. Earlier in the day, the cops sat on the same divan in which the body had been kept a good 5-6 hours ago. An embarrassed police team again rushed to spot and sent the body for autopsy in a huff.
When contacted by HT on Sunday, Mathura SSP SB Shiradkar, who also visited the house on Saturday, denied that the crime scene was not properly examined. He said, “When a case of kidnapping is lodged, police do not search boxes. Even the kid said that her mother had gone outside.” When asked about the motive behind the murder and the suspect, the SSP said, “It’s too early to say anything. We are probing the matter in the right direction. The killer(s) would soon be nabbed.” He said that prima facie, the case did not appear to be that of loot. When asked, why the police failed to search the house even after finding the kid with his limbs tied, he failed to give any satisfactory reply.
Meanwhile, family members of the victim have accused Ravi of killing his wife. They said the two got married five years ago and during the past couple of years, they had had frequent fights. Mathura police spokesperson Rajesh Chaturvedi said a fresh case of murder had been lodged with the Highway police station and charges against Ravi were also being probed. Police officials associated with the probe told HT at Mathura on Sunday, “The killer(s) was known to the family as he had the key and locked the house from outside after committing the crime.”
With the Uttar Pradesh police still getting flak for poor handling of the Arushi murder case at Noida and the CBI blasting the cops, earlier probing the case, for faulty examination of the crime scene, here comes another shocker — this time courtesy Mathura cops.
In the wee hours of Saturday, Tripti Khandelwal (28), wife of trader Ravi Khandelwal, was found murdered inside her residence (C-12) in the posh Radhapuram locality under the Highway police station of Mathura. The body was recovered from a divan. Incidentally, when the recovery was made, cops were busy conducting raids outside on being informed that Tripti was missing with her house locked from outside.
The matter came to light when Ravi returned from his shop and found his housed locked. On breaking open two locks, he found his son Kanak (4) in a state of shock, with his limbs tied with a stole. Kanak said someone came down from the roof, tied and thrashed him after which he fell unconscious. Police soon reached the spot and ‘after examining the crime scene’ left the house around midnight. A case of kidnapping was lodge, while the body was lying in the house.
Police sources said that at around 2.30 am, when Ravi, while trying to take out a mattress from a divan kept adjacent to his bedroom, found his wife strangulated to death inside. It also appeared that her face had been attacked with a sharp-edged weapon to ensure her death after being put in the divan. Earlier in the day, the cops sat on the same divan in which the body had been kept a good 5-6 hours ago. An embarrassed police team again rushed to spot and sent the body for autopsy in a huff.
When contacted by HT on Sunday, Mathura SSP SB Shiradkar, who also visited the house on Saturday, denied that the crime scene was not properly examined. He said, “When a case of kidnapping is lodged, police do not search boxes. Even the kid said that her mother had gone outside.” When asked about the motive behind the murder and the suspect, the SSP said, “It’s too early to say anything. We are probing the matter in the right direction. The killer(s) would soon be nabbed.” He said that prima facie, the case did not appear to be that of loot. When asked, why the police failed to search the house even after finding the kid with his limbs tied, he failed to give any satisfactory reply.
Meanwhile, family members of the victim have accused Ravi of killing his wife. They said the two got married five years ago and during the past couple of years, they had had frequent fights. Mathura police spokesperson Rajesh Chaturvedi said a fresh case of murder had been lodged with the Highway police station and charges against Ravi were also being probed. Police officials associated with the probe told HT at Mathura on Sunday, “The killer(s) was known to the family as he had the key and locked the house from outside after committing the crime.”
Potters' kulhars of woes
Darpan Singh, Agra
Nearly four years ago, when Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav issued instructions making use of Kulhars mandatory for serving tea and coffee in pantry cars and railway stalls, the impoverished potter community, facing an uncertain future with dwindling demands for their traditional craft, was ecstatic. But as they failed to benefit from the much-hyped announcement over the years, a sense of disappointment has replaced the euphoria.
Ramesh (60), a potter at Agra, said, “I frantically tried to contact the officials of the Agra Rail Division seeking to supply kulhars, but nobody is willing to entertain me. I have given up.” Ramesh is not the sole instance. Many others like him faced the same situation as they are required to have a PAN card and a current account in a nationalised bank to be able to make supplies to the Railways — criteria not many poor potters can meet. The Railways makes payment through cheques after deducting 2 per cent tax and 12 per cent surcharge on the total tender value directly to the supplier's bank account number. Caught in a red tape, the whole scheme has come a cropper.
A visit to different railway stations under the Agra Rail Division revealed that vendors were using ‘kulhars' only as a show piece', selling tea either in paper or plastic cups. Sumit Kumar, a vendor, said selling tea in kulhars cost more, much to the dislike of customers. He said many customers did not want to have tea in `kulhars' on hygiene Grounds and added many people disliked drinking tea in `kulhars' out of prestige and insisted on paper cups. Said a passenger, “It's not easy to drink from earthen pots, mainly because companies have not been advertising that way.”
Admitting lapses at some places, a railway official said more focused efforts were needed to popularise `kulhars'. He said while the licensed vendors more or less stuck to `kulhars', unauthorised vendors were the main defaulters. This, despite the fact that railway laws recommend a fine ranging from Rs 100 to Rs 500 to any licensed vendor selling tea in containers other than `kulhars.' Though the DRM could not be contacted, Rail Division PRO Bhupendra Dhillon Told HT on Saturday, “I cannot say anything on the supply of kulhars as the process is managed by the Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) and the rail division has nothing to do with it.” No IRCTC official was available for comment.
The Agra Rail Division needs lakhs of kulhars a month but it ends up using only a few thousands as vendors continue to use plastic cups. There is no increase in demand for them as plastic or paper cups are available in plenty at cheaper rates. Since the demand for kulhars had been dwindling for quite some time, potters depend on the sale of earthen pitchers and flower pots for livelihood. They had hoped that the big demand generated by the railways would tremendously boost sales of their wares, but to no avail.
Another potter, Jayanti (25), said, “When we informed the officials that we did not have a PAN card, we were told to contact middlemen so that we could supply through them.” Potters here feel that the announcement was mere an eyewash, meant only to benefit big traders and middlemen. Making matters worse is the widespread ignorance. A number of potters HT spoke to said, “We do not know whom to approach to make supply.” They feel that Lalu’s instructions were actually implemented — part of the reason why their sale failed to pick up. Even as there has been hardly any increase kullhar prices, scarcity of soil and fuel has only added to their woes.
Nearly four years ago, when Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav issued instructions making use of Kulhars mandatory for serving tea and coffee in pantry cars and railway stalls, the impoverished potter community, facing an uncertain future with dwindling demands for their traditional craft, was ecstatic. But as they failed to benefit from the much-hyped announcement over the years, a sense of disappointment has replaced the euphoria.
Ramesh (60), a potter at Agra, said, “I frantically tried to contact the officials of the Agra Rail Division seeking to supply kulhars, but nobody is willing to entertain me. I have given up.” Ramesh is not the sole instance. Many others like him faced the same situation as they are required to have a PAN card and a current account in a nationalised bank to be able to make supplies to the Railways — criteria not many poor potters can meet. The Railways makes payment through cheques after deducting 2 per cent tax and 12 per cent surcharge on the total tender value directly to the supplier's bank account number. Caught in a red tape, the whole scheme has come a cropper.
A visit to different railway stations under the Agra Rail Division revealed that vendors were using ‘kulhars' only as a show piece', selling tea either in paper or plastic cups. Sumit Kumar, a vendor, said selling tea in kulhars cost more, much to the dislike of customers. He said many customers did not want to have tea in `kulhars' on hygiene Grounds and added many people disliked drinking tea in `kulhars' out of prestige and insisted on paper cups. Said a passenger, “It's not easy to drink from earthen pots, mainly because companies have not been advertising that way.”
Admitting lapses at some places, a railway official said more focused efforts were needed to popularise `kulhars'. He said while the licensed vendors more or less stuck to `kulhars', unauthorised vendors were the main defaulters. This, despite the fact that railway laws recommend a fine ranging from Rs 100 to Rs 500 to any licensed vendor selling tea in containers other than `kulhars.' Though the DRM could not be contacted, Rail Division PRO Bhupendra Dhillon Told HT on Saturday, “I cannot say anything on the supply of kulhars as the process is managed by the Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) and the rail division has nothing to do with it.” No IRCTC official was available for comment.
The Agra Rail Division needs lakhs of kulhars a month but it ends up using only a few thousands as vendors continue to use plastic cups. There is no increase in demand for them as plastic or paper cups are available in plenty at cheaper rates. Since the demand for kulhars had been dwindling for quite some time, potters depend on the sale of earthen pitchers and flower pots for livelihood. They had hoped that the big demand generated by the railways would tremendously boost sales of their wares, but to no avail.
Another potter, Jayanti (25), said, “When we informed the officials that we did not have a PAN card, we were told to contact middlemen so that we could supply through them.” Potters here feel that the announcement was mere an eyewash, meant only to benefit big traders and middlemen. Making matters worse is the widespread ignorance. A number of potters HT spoke to said, “We do not know whom to approach to make supply.” They feel that Lalu’s instructions were actually implemented — part of the reason why their sale failed to pick up. Even as there has been hardly any increase kullhar prices, scarcity of soil and fuel has only added to their woes.
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