WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 2013 DAILY EXCELSIOR, JAMMU daily Excelsior Chinese standoff Established 1965 Rape capital? 'Soft' Delhi needs to act tough Founder Editor S.D. Rohmetra Joginder Singh, IPS (Retd) found abandoned in another (3,406), molestation (6,665) and youths in the age group of 17-22 Col (Dr) PK Vasudeva (Retd) edia, have described building and was rushed to med- importation of girls (45) account- and a middle-aged man were otwithstanding, the Chinese troops withdrawal which ended Delhi as not the seat of ical college in Kozhikode ( ing for 14.1%, 15.5% and 56.3% lynched by an irate mob, which the standoff in Ladakh, the Sino-Indian boundary dispute MGNREGA scheme Mpower and Might, but Kerala), where she was subjected of the respective national totals. also including women, in Ncannot be put behind. It is expected to loom larger in the the rape Capital of India, which is to emergency surgeries. And when it comes to sexual Jharkhand’s Khunti district. upcoming bilateral engagement during Chinese Premier Li general observation is that although the State a bit unfair, for the simple reason, A 10-YEAR-OLD girl was harassment or “eve-teasing”, Police said those killed would Keqiang's visit than it would have ordinarily done. The face-off, Government appreciates and welcomes exten- that a crime like rape is preventa- raped by a youth on the premises Andhra Pradesh reported 3,658 often go around Manho village which had kept the two countries on tenterhooks for three weeks, of her school, as she had arrived cases, accounting for 42.7% of teasing girls and women, misbe- sion of various Centrally sponsored develop- ble, only if the people are vigi- ended on May 5, following Indian and Chinese deciding to pull back A lant. In East Delhi a five-year-old 40 minutes earlier to the opening the total number booked in the have with them and also steal cat- from their respective campsites in Depsang plains in eastern mental projects to our State, yet it wants to dodge the was brutalized sexually on 15th of the school, in Vidarbha. country. Uttar Pradesh has the tle and fowl of the villagers. Ladakh. caveat which could make it practically accountable. In April, 2013 and doctor recovered Elsewhere in Vidarbha, five more dubious distinction of topping the According to the Police, the The sudden withdrawal was completed by 7:30 pm, following simpler words the State wants all sorts of financial sup- a bottle and other foreign objects cases of rape were reported. states in dowry deaths as its 2,322 women were angry about it and tough high-level negotiations between the two sides and the fourth port from the Centre without committing itself to the in her private parts. The child was A 45-year-oldman was arrest- cases accounted for 26.9% of the they gave vent to their pent up Brigadier level flag meeting at Chusul a day earlier. The pullback ed in connection with the rape of national tally. anger by beating them up with responsibility of accounting for the same. This is in no tortured, raped and strangled, till came following another round of discussions between local military three minor girls—one aged six Indeed the victim in such canes and pelting them with commanders. However, the stubborn refusal by the officials to even way a healthy sign of Centre-State relationship. If the the rapist felt that she was dead, in a room of 5/5 Size. and the other two aged seven—in crimes are females irrespective of stones which resulted in their confirm what on the face appears to be a victory for Indian diploma- centre floats any project, it is concerned that the end- The accused A married, a village in Amravati their age from 6 months to 60 death. cy gives rise to suspicions on the terms of agreement. result should be something that brings relief to the peo- Bihari, from Muzzaffarnagar was district.’”One of the girls narrated years. The result of slow and Michael Fox once said that The concessions may involve Indian troops pulling back from ple. Naturally, if the purpose is not attained, the author- arrested .The second accused, the incident that apparently hap- inadequate punishments, has lead Man is the most dangerous, their forward positions in some sectors close to the Line of Actual ities have to answer for the shortcoming. allegedly involved in the brutal pened a few days ago. to the people taking the law into destructive, selfish, and unethical Control (LAC). The withdrawal leaves unanswered key questions: The two other girls then came their hand as the following animal on earth.” Let us be precise. Way back in 2006, the centre rape of a five-yearold girl here a What Chinese demands did India accept? Has the People's week ago has also been arrested forward and accused the same instances of lynching of rapists We hear the dictum that law is Liberation Army platoon retreated to its side of the LAC? Why has floated a well-known scheme under Mahatma Gandhi from Bihar, after the police had man. The man knew all three. from all over the country will above everybody else. What is India withdrawn troops from its own areas? National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNRE- verified that the claims made by One of the victims is the grand- show. the use of having umpteen laws, As Chinese troops returned to their pre-April 15 position, Indian GA). Rural development is a subject of much concern the first accused were true. daughter of the man’s cobrother,” In a shocking case, an eight- when the criminals know that troops from Army's Ladakh Scouts and the Indo-Tibetan Border to the Union Government. 80 per cent of India's pop- The victim’s family alleged In Awandhi village, in Nagpur year-old girl was raped in Alwar three out of four of them would Police (ITBP), too, returned to their base camps. The closest ITBP district, a 25-year-old man district of Rajasthan in January, get away. The result is that people ulation lives in rural areas. Our villages are still back- that Policemen had offered them camp at Burtse is 15 km from the face-off site at Raki Nalla, which Mangesh Chandankhede was 2013. have started lynching and punish- is a dry riverbed running parallel to the LAC. ward in many aspects, particularly in basics like Rs 2,000 to hush up the case and they made insensitive remarks. arrested for allegedly raping a 11- The enraged family, wanting ing such criminals on their own. The campsite is 40 km south east of Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO), a health, roads, water, electricity, education etc. Real It was also alleged that police year-old girl when she was taking to set an example of vigilante jus- The present criminal justice World War II airstrip reactivated by the Indian Air Force in 2008 as progress means progress of our villages. The Act in refused to register a rape case bath in her house. Her parents tice, tried to lynch one of the two system, which is slanted only part of India's strategy to bolster border defence. Beijing has report- question was necessary because development of vil- after she was rescued, besides were away working on their farm accused in full public view, after towards the criminals need to be edly objected to new constructions at the DBO, which lies just 10 at that time. tying him to a pole and soundly thrown in Indian Ocean, and new lages had to be speeded up. The scheme was accusing the police of refusing to km from the LAC and 80 km south of the Siachen glacier. Also a 12-year-old girl from thrashed him. pro citizen, criminal justice sys- With the exception of Siachen, DBO is India's northernmost mil- extended to our State also and the norms were con- lodge a case when he went to the police station to lodge an FIR. Nagpur alleged that her father Two persons were lynched by tem should be brought into exis- itary post, from which India can keep an eye on the strategically veyed to the Government. One important condition for Rape has become more than had been raping her for the past angry villagers after they raped a tence, apart from strengthening vital 15,937 ft high Karakoram pass. Close on the other side of the implementing the scheme was to appoint an ombuds- common all over the country. It is five months. Her mother reported woman at Egra in West Bengal’s, the judiciary in the interest of LAC are at least four known Chinese border defence regiment posts, man for each district. The ombudsman is required to both under reported, because of the matter to the police. The East Midnapore district, in quick justice. The onus should lie two of which are at Chip-Chap (25 km from the LAC) and Sundo be appointed in each district to consider complaints the social stigma and under regis- father, Sheikh Aseef Sheikh February, 2012. The duo, in their on the criminal to prove that he is (40 km from the LAC). Habib, a taxi driver, and has been early 30s, reportedly abducted innocent. relating to the implementation of the scheme and take tered because the Police perform- Unfortunately, India's acceptance to remove some of the struc- ance is judged by the cases regis- arrested.. To whom the women the woman from her house late Regrettably, instead of sug- tures is only a "face saver" to enable Chinese troop to withdraw to legal action. An ombudsman has the powers of issu- tered. and children would turn, when on Saturday night and forced gesting concrete measures, to their pre-April 15 positions. This shows that Depsang Bulge, a table- ing directions for spot investigation, lodging of FIRs So everybody, wants to show, their closest relations start themselves on her at a nearby deal with frightening crime, the top plateau of 750 sq km area in northern Ladakh: an area roughly against the erring parties, initiate suo moto proceed- that all types of crime is, not only exploiting their daughters ground. After the woman raised Union Home Minister has said, half the size of Delhi becomes a disputed area and is considered to ings and taking disciplinary and punitive actions under control. In April 2013, a case came to an alarm, villagers immediately that Rape happens all over the be a 'no mans' land'. The face-off site is just about 35km south of the light when the elder daughter, gathered and beat the men to country. against the defaulters. After experimental implemen- Some example of the horrible strategic Karakoram Pass, which is at the tri-junction of China- rapes, in the country are as under; aged 15, approached the police, death. Dangerous and inhuman Pakistan-India borders, and overlooks the Siachen Glacier-Saltoro tation of the scheme in six districts, the Union At about the same time, a five in Haryana. She alleged that her In August,, 2004 rape victims rapists need to pay with their Ridge to the west and the Indian observation post in the Chumar sec- Government decided to extend it to the entire State. year old girl was subjected to father, Jaipal, who worked as a lynched a criminal who had car- lives for the brutalities commit- tor to the east. Though the scheme desired to appoint an ombuds- Ghastly rape and left as Dead, a daily-wage worker, had been sex- ried on his attacks for the last ten ted. The Government is there to Anxiously, Indian foreign policy towards China has been tested man in each district from the very first day of imple- six year old girl was raped and ually assaulting her for the past yeas, as he was being escorted govern. It appears to have abdi- now, with PLA intrusion into Indian Territory and when India was three to four years. into a courthouse in the city of cated its responsibility as the mentation of the scheme, yet six years have passed killed in Aligarh. in 'catch 22 situation'. Though the diplomacy partially succeeded, A THREE-YEAR-OLD girl She also alleged that he had Nagpur, Maharashtra. After the criminals are certain that nothing New Delhi, however, should have acted tough with Beijing. Clearly, by and not a single ombudsman has been appointed. was raped after being whisked now started raping her nine-year- lynching some of the women told will happen to them. The it was not a localised action as was made out in the initial stages. Central Ministry for Rural Development repeatedly away from the snuggle of her old younger sister too. Delhi had the media the execution was Government should remember How can India dismantle infrastructure on its side of LAC and stop wrote to the State Government to appoint the pregnant mother, who was sleep- 572 rape cases were registered in planned: “We could not tolerate that it is the it is the certainty of development of the border areas when China has already made high- ombudsman but the response was subdued. Not only ing on a hospital veranda, in 2011. But in the same year, it is the humiliation he subjected us being punished and not appeals, ways and airstrips in Aksai Chin area claimed by India. that. Even the State Minister for Rural Development Malappuram , some times back Madhya Pradesh that reported the for the past decade that would discourage the crime. Sources in the security establishment familiar with the negotia- The critically ravaged girl, highest number of cases for rape In December, 2012, Four (PTI) announced on the floor of the Assembly during the tions and the local topography noted that the 21-day confrontation on Ladakh's desolate Depsang plains ended only after the Indian recent budget session that ombudsmen would be Army agreed to demolish bunkers it had built in the region of appointed within a month. They have not been Pakistan election analysis Chumar near the LAC, to keep an eye on the Karokram Highway. appointed. The Chinese, close to what India considers its current border and It is to be noted that the Union Government has part of the proactive measures, had objected to these. nominated two experts on the committee which the But, in future, New Delhi needs to realise that only a hardline State Government would constitute for selecting Will Sharif Govt be a winner? policy pays dividends, when dealing with China, especially with incidents of territorial violations of such a serious nature. This is cially adorns the Prime lend stability to Afghanistan's guns away from Indian borders. candidates to be the ombudsmen. Why has the State Monish Tourangbam borne out by the fact that the 1986-87 Sumdorung Chu episodes, Minister's chair. transition, in the midst of Nonetheless, a change of Government been dodging the appointment of the urprising as it may seem, when the Indian and Chinese troops were in a similar face-off Beside domestic priorities Pakistan's own transition. strategy cannot be taken for a ombudsmen and not showing any keen interest in Pakistan, for the first time, against each other, was resolved through an Indian show of force at like giving electricity to the The Indian Government has change of heart. And, even as constituting the selection committee. This remains Safter more than 65 years of the tactical level. If the Ministry of External Affairs was solely people and building a sound welcomed the democratic tran- Nawaz Sharif made a clear inexplicable. We don't have the dearth of capable, its independence has just experi- allowed to manage the crisis, the chaos perhaps would have been economy for Pakistan, the issue sition in Pakistan and has heart- assertion that the Prime Minister enced a successful transition unimaginable. Fortunately, the Indian Army had good field level honest and visionary persons in the State who could of security is paramount. That ly congratulated Nawaz Sharif's of Pakistan is the boss, and not from one civilian Government to commanders who acted as they deemed fit which saved the day in be considered to be ombudsmen. People can cast people came out in huge num- clear mandate. But, a civilian the Army, it will be naive on another. The former Prime the Sumdorung Chu episode. aspersions on the Government and even the Central bers to vote despite rampant Government, alone is not the anyone'spart to wish away the Minister Nawaz Sharif is again Evidently no other Government agency, apart from the Army Government must not be feeling happy over inten- violence and threats from the antidote to India's problems with influence of the Generals on the set to occupy the top post for his and the ITBP, really knows the layout of the land; but their local Taliban, is a strong message, Pakistan. The Mumbai attacks country's polity. tional procrastination tactics of the State third term after his Party commanders are not allowed autonomy to act instantaneously and Sharif has often reiterated Government. Why is the State Government mortally Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz instead have to await instructions from the MEA mandarins. The that his last stint as Prime afraid of accountability? It is not doing any good (PML-N), as expected, won a problem is that the Ministry bosses are not familiar with the terrain, The two countries saw some Minister saw the best of civilian service by hiding the facts from the broad masses of clear mandate. Recall, Sharif which proves a major handicap in their decision-making during rule in Pakistan, and witnessed the people for whose welfare the entire scheme has was ousted in a military coup led crises of a territorial nature. grounds covered in trade real hops for an India-Pakistan by General Pervez Musharraf in If New Delhi needs to adopt a hardline policy, how does it trans- been launched. rapprochement before General 1999. late on the ground? Well, it should act tough with Beijing by suspen- We are aware that in many cases where the Central relations and people-to-people Musharraf ruined the party with Significantly, even as the sion of trade ties, however small it may be, which is bound to impact Government was convinced that its sponsored the Kargil misadventure and the baton passes from Asif Zardari's China. Why does New Delhi have to bend backwards and be wor- contacts, but the recent ceasefire coup. But, he should refrain schemes were not being properly implemented in the (slain ex-Prime Minister Benazir ried or overly sensitive about Beijing's sentiments? It is high time from remembering his earlier State, it had to step in and control the damage. Many Bhutto husband) PPP-led violation on the LoC, the barbaric that it speaks tough and not projects a meek face and 'we-are-des- stint in the late 90s as a golden projects were abandoned owing to irresponsibility of Government which completed perate-to-be-friendly with you' attitude. era. its full terms; this time around beheading of an Indian soldier The only way out of such an impasse is to jolt relations with implementing authority. And the State Government with Clearly, what Pakistan needs high hopes rest on Nawaz Sharif China and convey clearly to Zhongnanhai - the seat of Chinese gov- tongue in the cheek would bring onus on the doorsteps is a re-assessment of its deep to take Pakistan out of the dol- and the killings of two prisoners ernment, that South Block means business and India is strong in wounds, and the many new of the GOI that they are being discriminated against or drums. political, military and economic terms. Any other policy approach thrats and challenges that is starved for want of funds and many other antics. The But, given the multiple in each other's jails have taken would amount to appeasement and convey the wrong signal to gripping the country at present. State Government needs changing the mindset. Ours issues that the country is reeling Beijing. Though no silver bullet under, undeniably an uphill task a toll on the relationship. For some strange reasons, LAC on DBO side is patrolled by the is a poor and backward State as it is largely a hilly exist, a new relationship awaits the new Government. ITBP - a force of 5,000 and beefed up but without matching teeth by State. We cannot afford to play hide and seek with our between the Prime Minister's Given that the people defied which the Chinese hold this sector. Further, it has been handed over future and our development. We need to grab each and but the regressive influence of took place during civilian rule, Office and the Pakistani Army threats and violence perpetrated to the Home Ministry, whereas the ITBP and BSF, along the borders jehadi groups is wreath large and the breeding of anti-India would go a long way towards every occasion that is conducive to our quick develop- by the Pakistani Taliban, and should be under the command of the Army for operational purpos- over Pakistan. To fight them, groups has never taken a back- leading the country to a new ment. Conditions laid down by the Central Government showed their optimism and es. the civilian authorities would seat. direction in its democratic jour- in case of various schemes are in the interests of the hopes for a change through the The Government is so short-sighted that after being slaves for have to work in tandem with the The two countries saw some ney that has, only been half- ballot is indeed an achievement. centuries, it has no shame in losing border territories, making police, people at large, and the State Government should men in uniform. grounds covered in trade rela- baked, tainted with intermitent In the wake of the elections, customs and bureaucrats superior to the military every one way or come out more than a mile to meet the requirements Moreover, relations with the tions and people-to-people con- military takeovers. Nawaz Sharif made all the right the other, degrading it at every corner. US in the coming days will be a tacts, but the recent ceasefire In sum, whether or not stipulated in the Central schemes for development of noises, from expressing will to The Defence Secretary is responsible for the defence of India as prominent dish in the menu. violation on the LoC, the barbar- Nawaz Sharif's new innings will the country. fight domestic challenges and per the Rules of Business of Government of India. Strangely, there Almost all Parties have used ic beheading of an Indian soldier be a winner for India-Pakistan the internal security demons, to is a National Security Adviser (NSA) who is responsible for total anti-Americanism as a cam- and the killings of two prisoners ties is an important question, but correcting the imbalance security of India and the three Service Chiefs report to him. Both of paign plank and lashed out at in each other's jails have taken a more significant is. Will his new One more scam between the military and civil- them should have been shown the door by now. drone strikes inside Pakistani toll on the relationship. stint at the top post be a winner ian authority, and more impor- Is this hold of the bureaucracy because of the fear of the Army here is hardly a day when one or the other scam territory. But, given the US Notably, the clear mandate for Pakistan? A Pakistan that tantly, to normalisation of rela- take over? The Government in the name of democracy and rule of drawdown in Afghanistan and won by Sharif has raised hopes finds its feet, and embarks on in one or the other department does not come to tions with India. He even allud- the law has sadly been humiliating and degrading the Armed the critical role that Islamabad for a strong civilian Government the road to comprehensive light. Once media takes the lid off the scam, ed to his desire to visit India Forces since Independence. It is high time that it make all efforts T has to play in bringing the and the menace of internal ter- progress and democracy, will be which is only the tip of the iceberg the Government soon. But, campaign speeches to modernise the Armed Forces to safeguard national integrity and Afghan Taliban to the negotiat- rorism that Pakistan's Army is good for itself and for the are often found ephemeral, and sovereignty and involve them in decision-making, rather leaving it rushes to announce that an enquiry committee has ing table, the new Government fighting gives some reason for a region as a whole, Insallah the real picture will emerge to Defence Secretary and NSA, who have no clue of defence been constituted to furnish report within specific time. needs to play a role that would change of strategy, aiming its Pakistan triumphs!.. INFA only once Nawaz Sharif offi- strategies. (INFA) According to new culture of corruption in this country, the enquiry committee sends in its report and sugges- tions within time. But then follows the real manoeuvring Poll boycott Mughal road at the official level. All efforts are directed to ensure that Sir, Sir, the concerned officers sit on the case till such time as Refer news item 'Omar asks people to defy poll boycott' The Mughal road is emerging as a viable Increase Medical Allowance Overcharging by matadors the fury dies down and the entire matter is forgotten. DE May 13. alternative to the National Highway. The road Sir. Sir, There is no sense in constituting such enquiries and The poll process in Pakistan should be an eye-opener for will not only reduce burden on the Highway but Medical Allowance is given to The recent hike and revised rates for pas- employees and pensioners to meet obtaining reports from them when they end in fiasco. separatists in Kashmir who have been asking people to keep will prove a boon to the people of Rajouri and senger transport has come into force with some away from elections in the State. People in Pakistan defied Poonch districts. Even while the road has not their medical expenses. But the Now in the case of gross irregularities committed in irregularities by some matador owners. the diktates of Taliban who had given poll boycott call. been completed, people of the region use it for amount being paid is totally inade- Some matadors overcharge the passengers PHE for purchasing pipes worth eight crore rupees, Despite violence, people participated in elections and installed last some years. Besides, the road could lure quate and doesn't commensurate with thus violate the Govt directive regarding the there is the whole plethora of fraud and deceit standing a democratic Government. Instead of boycotting election, the tourists to the unexplored tourists spots. There heavy expenses on medical treatment. revised passenger rates set by the Transport exposed by the enquiry committee along with evi- separatists should jump the fray and prove their representative are numerous tourists all along the road. The Sky-touching prices of medicines have Department. dence. The fraud is not limited to just changing the character. only thing that is required at present is to create virtually shaken the back bone of those As a fact of matter matadors are charging Rs adequate infrastructure to meet the needs of 8 from the passengers from Bhori Chowk to order for composite pipes instead of traditional GI pipes The boycott call will serve no purpose to people as it will who suffer from diseases. In old age, have no takers in Jammu and Ladakh. Even in Kashmir peo- tourists and passengers. There is also need to when a pensioner lands in multiple ail- Lala Da Bagh-which is less than 3 km away but in other aspects as well. Documents have been ple have participated in large numbers despite threats and open security check posts to ensure safety of ment zone, the meager amount of med- from Bhori Chowk. As per the revised rates and distance the rate tampered with; bids have been illegally rejected; out of intimidation from militants. Panchayat polls is the recent people visiting through this road. One more ical allowance acts as a drop in from Bhori Chowk to Lala Da Bagh should not way favour has been shown to specific suppliers; and example. important aspect is to have modern medical cen- ocean.Obviously, continuation of the tres at important places which would cater to the exceed Rs 4.50 while as the matadors are charing nexus has been formed among interested parties. Besides, there is no alternative with the separatists which allowance on existing rate is absolute- needs of road accident victims. Rs 8 from the passengers which is total injustice. would empower people to redress their day-to-day griev- ly injustice. The Govt is, therefore, Having known all this, people are now watching eager- However, it should be ensured that this road The Transport Commissioner is requested to ances. requested to kindly consider enhance- ly what steps the Government will take to stem the rot There are several issues which confront people today. does not prove disastrous for fragile ecology of ask the concerned officers to have on the spot ment of the allowance justifiably to and bring the culprits to book. Yes, there are so many These include unemployment, shortage of electricity and the region. The concerned departments should checking of matadors to ascertain the fact and redress the grievances of millions of laws and Acts that could be applicable in this case of growing population. These issues can be redressed by a duly be involved in protecting wildlife and biodiver- direct the concerned matadors to follow the employees pensioners. elected Government and not by any one. sity of this beautiful region. revised rates strictly in future. fraud in which huge money appears to have changed Yours etc….. Yours etc… Yours etc…. Yours etc…… hands. But will these laws be applied and will exempla- Keshwa Nand Sharma Avtar Krishan Razdan Sushil Sethi Nissar Ahmed Salehri (Sunderbani) Lala-Da-Bagh, Jammu ry action be taken? This is a moot point. Samba Rajouri