The Hindu – Don’t dilute promise on better deal for Tamils, India tells Sri Lanka

Khurshid asks Colombo to request Army not to purchase land in conflict-hit area

Sandeep Dikshit

New Delhi, 19 May 2013.  India tried to contain the after effects of a selective briefing it gave on Friday about its relations with Sri Lanka.

During a telephonic conversation on Friday, the External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid advised his Sri Lankan counterpart G L Peiris not to take any steps that would dilute Colombo’s assurance of a better deal to island Tamils who had been hit hard by the conflict between the Sri Lankan military and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

The Indian advice came in the wake of reports about a small nationalist party, the JHU, planning to move parliament soon to abolish the thirteenth amendment — which aims to empower the Tamils regionally.

Asked whether a small party would be able to get the government to drop a clause that it has promised to the world to implement, official sources they feared that an upsurge of nationalist sentiments in the Sri Lankan Parliament may well carry such a proposal through. That’s why Mr. Khurshid thought it prudent to caution Mr. Peiris.

The second counsel by Mr. Khurshid was to request the Lankan Army not to purchase land in conflict-hit areas. Here too the same approach of cautioning the Lankans has prevailed with sources pointing out in the past too, India has drawn Colombo’s attention to the issue of the Sri Lankan Army squatting on prime pieces of farm land years after the conflict ended.

Sri Lankan diplomatic sources continued to remain baffled over this interpretation of the conversation.

“This is strange because I hear there are factual inaccuracies in the reports,” they said. Indian sources also tried to play down the reports that have got adverse play in the Sri Lankan media.

“We were not as stern but we had to take this risk of pointing out the pitfalls. People will take us to task if we didn’t point it out,” they explained while preferring to highlight Mr. Khurshid raising the issue of early release of 26 Indian fishermen detained by Sri Lanka.

Jayalalithaa’s ‘indifference’

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s indifference was one reason for the arrests and long detentions of prisoners, said the MEA sources. They accused Ms. Jayalalithaa of not allowing Tamil fishermen from both countries to meet in order to resolve most issues of discord among themselves.

The sources also blamed her for Indian fishermen being detained in Sri Lanka for long periods because her government tends to arrest fishermen from the other country and not respond to pleas to release them.

“The MEA has written several letters to the Tamil Nadu government on releasing the Sri Lankan fishermen after completing the formalities. But she has rarely, if ever, replied to them,’’ they said.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/dont-dilute-promise-on-better-deal-for-tamils-india-tells-sri-lanka/article4728284.ece

The Tribune – China has chance to explain Ladakh incursion: Ex-envoy Nalin Surie

K V Prasad, Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 18. Suggesting that the recent Ladakh incursion by China has cast a “dark shadow” over its relations with India, a former envoy has said the Beijing leadership after having resolved the issue in a mature manner will have the opportunity to tell New Delhi the reason behind the move.

As new Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrives here tomorrow on his first overseas visit to any country after assuming office, former Indian Ambassdor to China Nalin Surie feels Premier Li and his team have an opportunity to explain why the incident occurred. “It is an advantage for Premier Li and his team to explain why it happened while India can understand the aspirations of the new Chinese leadership,” Surie said in an interaction here today.

A spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Office had recently told Indian mediapesons that the Ladakh incursion was an “isolated incident”, which Surie felt was not an adequate explanation.

Surie, who succeeded current National Security Adviser Shiv Shankar Menon as Indian Ambassador to China, said the new Chinese leadership had been groomed for the task and was well aware of the aspirations of the country and the world.

Referring to the recent statement by Li during an interaction with an Indian youth delegation that it was time to look ahead, Surie said while it was good to think of the future, this constant testing by Beijing in the form of Ladakh incursion sets back the trust that should be built in the relationship between the two most populous neighbours in Asia.

Surie, who retired last year after serving as the Indian High Commissioner in the United Kingdom, felt while there were no differences between the Chinese leadership in government and military, whoever ordered the Chinese platoon to move into the Ladakh region made an “error of judgement”.

Citing his lecture at a conference on Sino-Indian relations at Thrissur, Kerala, earlier this year, Suire said both India and China were too big and growing in power to be contained and even when India was less powerful, both countries were not susceptible to containment.

The relationship between the two countries would in the foreseeable future continue to be a mix of competition and cooperation, he said, adding that the key resentment in Beijing was that while its rise was seen as being threatening, India’s rise wasn’t.

It is an advantage for Premier Li and his team to explain why it happened while India can understand the aspirations of the new Chinese leadership.
—Nalin Surie, former Indian envoy

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130519/main2.htm

The Tribune – Preneet Kaur, Raninder Singh make up for Captain’s absence in Patiala

Aman Sood, Tribune News Service

Patiala, May 17. With local MLA Captain Amarinder Singh opting to stay away from campaigning, his wife and MP Preneet Kaur and son Raninder Singh have been working hard to fill the void. The mother-son duo went on a whirlwind tour of Samana constituency and addressed a series of rallies in support of Congress candidates.

Winning the elections on her home turf would be crucial for the Union Minister (Preneet) as these would set the tone for next year’s parliamentary elections.

Raninder appeared leaving no stone unturned while trying to infuse confidence in the party cadre. He had lost the assembly elections from Samana to Rural Development and Panchayats Minister Surjit Singh Rakhra.

“The National Rifle Association of India working kept me busy in Delhi, but I was in constant touch with the local leaders in the constituency,” he said.

Lashing out at the Akalis, he said: “You voted for them (SAD-BJP) but what did you get in return? Theirs is a government of liars. So, get ready to teach them a lesson on May 19 (polling day).”

The next to target the ruling coalition was Preneet Kaur: “We will take the Akalis head-on and make sure they are not able to succeed in their evil designs to win the elections by rigging.”

At some distance from the Congress rally, Rakhra quipped that voters in his constituency would not even recognise the Congress leaders “who only turn up on poll eve”. “I have been working round the clock and despite my engagements as a Cabinet Minister, I make it a point to attend each and every person from Samana on a priority.”

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130518/punjab.htm#5

The Tribune – Pre-poll violence unabated; 2 killed in Amritsar village clash

P K Jaiswar, Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 17. A day after the killing of a Peoples Party of Punjab (PPP) leader in Bathinda, two persons were shot dead in an exchange of fire between two groups at Chak Mishri Khan village in Lopoke near here this morning, pushing the toll in the run-up to the May 19 local body elections in Punjab to four.

The deceased are Congress worker Gurjinder Singh of the Master Manjit Singh group and SAD worker Balkar Singh, an associate of Chak Mishri Khan village Sarpanch Jagir Singh. The injured has been identified as Major Singh, also an associate of Jagir Singh. He is admitted to the Guru Nanak Dev Hospital here.

Tension was brewing between two groups of Chak Mishri Khan village over a consensus to elect the village panchayat, without polls. Both groups were preparing for Panchayat elections though members of the Zila Parishad and Block Samiti were elected unanimously after the Congress decided not to contest. The SAD leader wanted unanimous election to the village Panchayat, but Manjit Singh was opposing the move, it is learnt.

Today, Jagir Singh and his armed companions, who were camping in the house of his associate Shinder Singh in the village, moved towards Manjit Singh’s house with an intention of attack. On the way, Congress worker Gurjinder Singh tried to stop them and asked them to settle the dispute with “mutual understanding”. Jagir and his group were in no mood to relent and reportedly opened fire, killing Gurjinder.

Jagir Singh and his men then reached Manjit Singh’s house, where they were allegedly fired upon. Major Singh said Manjit and 20 others attacked them. Balkar Singh suffered a gunshot injury in the firing and died on the spot.

However, Border Range IG Ishwar Chander Sharma and DIG Paramraj Singh Umranangal, in a hurriedly convened press conference, said the incident was the outcome of personal enmity between two groups.

“There was a controversy between two groups in the village over possession of land measuring over two kanals between two groups headed by Jagir Singh and Manjit Singh. This was the reason behind today’s firing and subsequent killing of two persons” said Ishwar Chander.

On the statement of Gurjinder’s son, the police have booked 14 persons, of which three persons — including Jagir Singh, Mangat Singh and Major Singh — have been arrested. Narinder Singh, Gurpreet Singh and Nirmal Singh besides others are at large and a manhunt has been launched to arrest the remaining accused, he said.

As many as 15 police parties headed by SHOs from Batala and Amritsar Rural police have been conducting raids at various places to nab the accused. Senior police officials including SSP Amritsar rural police district have been stationed at Lopoke to supervise the operation.

The firing incident has raised a question mark, as the police administration had already launched a drive to deposit licenced arms. The arms used in the crime belonged to Narinder Singh, a former sarpanch of the village. He is affiliated to Jagir Singh, present Akali Sarpanch from Chak Mishri Khan village.

DIG Border Range Paramraj Singh Umranangal said till today morning, 85 per cent licenced arms had been deposited with respective police stations in police districts falling under the Border Range. He said the remaining weapons would be in police custody by the evening.

District Rural Congress president Harpartap Singh Ajnala condemned the incident and said it had nothing to do with the ongoing Zila Parishad polls and was the result of tension between two groups regarding forthcoming Panchayat elections.

Killing fields

May 16: One person killed in a shootout at a PPP-Congress rally in Adampur in Jalandhar; Congress worker Rajwinder Singh injured
May 15: Nine persons belonging to two groups of the ruling SAD injured in a fierce hour-long clash at Mianwala village in Tarn Taran
May 8: Youth Congress leader Sukhraj Singh shot dead in Tarn Taran
May 7: Personal assistant of Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi , Guruharsahai legislator, attacked

Both killed by same weapon

The death of SAD worker Balkar Singh has become a mystery for the police. Investigations pointed out that the same weapon was used to kill both Gurjinder and Balkar, which raises a question mark on the theory of Balkar being killed in crossfire. DIG Border Range Paramraj Singh Umranangal confirmed doubts over whether crossfiring had taken place, adding that the firearm used in the crime has been recovered.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130518/main2.htm

The Asian Age – PM ‘power centre’ in government: Digvijay Singh

Asian Age Correspondent

New Delhi, 18 May, 2013. Senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh on Friday said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is the “power centre in governance” and “for political matters it is, of course, Mrs Sonia Gandhi”.

Mr Singh, a former chief minister of Madhya Pradesh, is an AICC general secretary. His remarks on the controversy over “power centres” come as the UPA-2 government completes four years on May 22.

“There has to be one power centre and here the power centre is Dr Manmohan Singh in governance. And for political matters it is, of course, Mrs Sonia Gandhi,” Mr Singh told NDTV.

“Both are working separately in their own domain, Dr Manmohan Singh takes all decisions in the government of India, and Mrs Sonia Gandhi takes all decisions in the organisation,” he added.

Seeking to explain the context of his earlier remarks, which had triggered a controversy, Mr Singh said because of the media hype and Opposition’s allegations there is a general perception among the bureaucracy and in other forms of government that there are dual power centres.

“This is a perception created by the media — that there are dual power centres, a perception created by the Opposition. Frankly the Congress president has never interfered in the functioning of the government, not once,” he said.

http://www.asianage.com/india/pm-power-centre-govt-diggy-895

530. The Man in Blue – Panj Ab = Five Waters

I wrote this article after hearing a lecture at the KU (Catholic University) of Leuven, Belgium, by Christophe Masson, India Desk Officer at the European Commission. He mentioned a water related project in Rajastan, which made me think of the Indira Gandhi Canal, and from there of the ever lower groundwater level in Panjab. Man in Blue

The historical Panjab, from the river Indus in the west to the river Yamuna in the east, was called the Panj-Áb, the five waters after the five rivers that flow from the Himalayas to the Indus.

Panjab is not as dry as Rajasthan, but without the five rivers most of its territory would be a dry steppe, fit for grazing but no good for arable land.

Since the green revolution the standard crop pattern in the Indian Panjab and in Haryana is wheat – rice. Wheat is the early crop and after its harvest most of the arable land is converted to paddy fields. Panjab became the rice provider of India.

Due to the paddy fields the farmers were using more water than the rivers could supply and they started to pump-up ground water to irrigate their fields. This costs money, as hand pumps are not adequate for the job. The Panjab state government decided to supply the farmers with free electricity for their tube-wells.

As the state government has the habit of either not paying or late paying the state electricity provider, one semi-state company has already given up the ghost, and its successor is struggling. Somebody has to foot the bill !

But the most alarming result of this scheme is that the groundwater table is going down fast, the tubes are getting longer and with that the energy use goes up too.

At Harike, in the south-west of the Indian Panjab starts the Indira Gandhi canal, which takes vast amounts of river water to Rajasthan. This water is obviously no longer available for either the Pakistan or the Indian Panjab. How much of this water evaporates before it gets to the Jaisalmer area I do not know.

Whether it is useful to infiltrate this water in a desert area I do not know either. I have heard reports of salinization of the irrigated fields, which does not surprise me at all.

But my main issue is with the madness of having paddy fields in a dry area like Panjab. After independence it made some sense as the rice eating states were not able to grow enough rice for their needs. Now these states have become self-sufficient and it is high time for a new green revolution in the Panjab.

The farmers are reluctant to change, but if the Panjab is to survive as at least the main provider of wheat, the paddy fields have to go. Alternative crops, dairy farming, market gardening (growing of vegetables) are the answer.

On the rich clay soils of Panjab many crops will thrive. With temperatures ranging from a minimum of near 0 degrees in December/January to a maximum of 50 degrees in May/June both crops that we know in Western Europe and subtropical to tropical ones can be grown.

In view of the above and the diminishing flow of water from the Himalayan glaciers, continuing with the present practice just is not an option.

The Tribune – One killed, three injured in firing at Congress-PPP rally; Prohibited US carbine used Jakhar, Manpreet blame SAD; Police says it was out of old rivalry

Jupinderjit Singh, Tribune News Service

Adampur (Bathinda), May 16. One person was killed while three others sustained injuries when armed assailants, allegedly owing allegiance to the ruling SAD, opened fire at a joint Congress-People’s Party of Punjab (PPP) rally here today.

The deceased, Jaspreet Singh Jassa, was an aide of Lakhbir Singh alias Lakha Sidhana, a PPP leader who was among those injured. Over 60 rounds were reportedly fired from various weapons, including a .30 US carbine (a prohibited weapon), a .30 pistol and a .12 bore gun. Sources said the target was Lakha as the firing took place just minutes before he was to get into his car.

Lakha had addressed the rally in favour of Congress candidate Malkiat Singh, who is contesting the zila parishad election from Bhai Rupa zone. Malkiat’s son Rajwinder Singh alias Raju was also wounded.

The Congress and the Sanjha Morcha have been contesting the zila parishad elections on a seat-adjustment basis.

Lakha suffered four gunshot wounds in his abdomen, shoulder and ankle. He was operated upon at a Bhucho Mandi hospital where his condition was stated to be serious. The third injured, Balbir Singh, was also Lakha’s associate.

Bathinda Senior Superintendent of Police Ravcharan Brar, however, denied the attack was out of political rivalry. He said Balbir had identified one of the assailants as Jagseer Singh alias Seera. He said Lakha and Seera were old rivals. “The assailants chose an election rally for the attack to avoid suspicion. But, we have identified them and they will be arrested soon,” the police officer said. He said Lakha himself was booked in 11 cases, including attempt to murder.

An eyewitness said, “When the assailants opened fire, Lakha managed to get out of his car and hid behind a cement platform. But, Jaspreet could not run to safety… Lakha and his supporters were armless.”

District Magistrate K K Yadav said the security of candidates would be upgraded. Punjab Chief Electoral Officer S S Brar said he had sought a report from the police.

Wake up Mr Badal, says Manpreet

PPP chief Manpreet Badal termed the incident as “murder of democracy”. He appealed to Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal “to learn from Nawaz Sharif’s experiences in Pakistan who returned to power despite being hounded by Pervez Musharraf for years”. He said Badal should leave his ‘Dhritrashtra’ stance and take tough decisions for the safety of the state people. He said today’s attack proved that Badal, his son
and other SAD leaders “could go to any extent to remain in power”.

Reeks of political terrorism: Jakhar

Congress Legislature Party leader Sunil Jakhar has alleged that the attack was scripted by Akali goons. He, however, claimed Congress leader Gurpreet Kanger was the target. Demanding a judicial probe into all incidents of attacks on Congress leaders, Jakhar alleged that political terrorism was prevailing in the state at the behest of the SAD-BJP leadership. Jakhar appealed to the Election Commission to intervene and send
outside observers to ensure free and fair elections.

Was PPP leader Lakha the target

Eyewitnesses said Lakhbir Singh alias Lakha Sidhana, a People’s Party of Punjab (PPP) leader was the target. Lakha was booked about a week ago for illegally possessing a .315 bore gun. PPP district president Jagtar Singh, however, claimed the case was false as the weapon was owned by Lakha’s mother. Once considered close to Akali leader and Education Minister Sikander Singh Maluka, Lakha had unsuccessfully
contested the assembly election against Maluka from Rampura Phul constituency. Jakhar, though, claimed Gurpeet Kanger was the target.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130517/punjab.htm#1

The Tribune – Gruesome attack in Ferozepur village; Family of six set on fire, 3 succumb to injuries

Jupinderjit Singh, Tribune News Service

Bathinda, May 16. Lakhwinder Singh, his father and brother allegedly poured petrol on six members of a family of Jattawali village near Malahwali in Ferozepur while they were asleep last night and set them on fire.

The accused entered Balwant Singh’s house by scaling the outer wall. Balwant Singh’s mother Bachan Kaur (70) and daughters Jasbir Kaur (17) and Tasveer Kaur (15) died in the gruesome attack.

Balwant Singh, who suffered 70 per cent burns, his wife Veerpal Kaur and their son Satveer Singh (10) are undergoing treatment in a Ferozepur hospital.

Lakhwinder Singh was Balwant Singh’s neighbour till he shifted to Sultanpur Lodhi in Kapurthala a few months ago after distrust grew between them. Balwant Singh was booked in a liquor smuggling case and he blamed Lakhwinder Singh for the same.

Speaking from his hospital bed, Balwant Singh said his wife’s relative had finalised a matrimonial alliance with Lakhwinder Singh’s kin. “Lakhwinder Singh called us up several times, threatening to kill us if the marriage was not called off.” Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Ferozepur, Varinder Pal Singh, said all the three accused had been booked for triple murder and attempt to murder. Raids were on to nab them.

Deputy Commissiner Manjeet Singh Narang said he had ordered the District Red Cross to pay for the medical expenses of the injured.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130517/punjab.htm#11

The Tribune – India’s shame: 3,000 child soldiers involved in armed conflicts; Report finds 500 child soldiers in N-E, J&K; 2,500 in Naxal-hit states

Bijay Sankar Bora, Tribune News Service

Guwahati, May 16. At least 3,000 children, 500 in Northeast and Jammu and Kashmir and about 2,500 in Naxal-affected states of the country, are working for armed militant/rebel groups. It has been disclosed by the Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) in its just released report titled ‘India’s Child Soldiers’.

“The recruitment of child soldiers by the armed groups, including the Naxalites, is rampant and at least 3,000 children currently remain involved in armed conflicts. This estimate of child soldiers is conservative considering that the Maoists follow the policy of forcibly recruiting at least one cadre from each Adivasi family,” stated Suhas Chakma, Director of Asian Centre for Human Rights.

This report which is the first ever comprehensive study on the subject in India, accused the Government of India of defending the records of the armed opposition groups, officially designated as terrorist groups, on the recruitment of child soldiers before the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child.

“India in its first report on the implementation of the optional protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict to the UN Committee in 2011 stated that there is no recruitment of child soldiers, including by the armed groups in India,” the ACHR report states.

The ACHR, besides citing 11 cases of forcible recruitment of child soldiers by the armed groups, presented a number of photographs of child soldiers surrendering with their arms before then Home Minister P Chidambaram and Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi in 2011 and 2012.

The ACHR report mentions: “Article 4 of the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict states that armed opposition groups should not, under any circumstance, recruit or use in hostilities persons under the age of 18 years and the government shall take all feasible measures to prevent such recruitment and use, including the adoption of legal measures necessary to prohibit and criminalise such practices.

The Asian Centre for Human Rights urged the Government of India to inquire as to why the recruitment of child soldiers by the officially designated terror groups was concealed from the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child and take appropriate actions against the officials who are effectively ended up whitewashing the records of the armed groups on the recruitment of child soldiers.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130517/main6.htm

Sikh clergy fails to arrive at decision on memorial row; Takht Damdama Sahib chief, Golden Temple Head Granthi favour retaining Bhindranwale’s name on plaques

Perneet Singh, Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 15. The meeting of the Sikh clergy ended on an inconclusive note here today. Terming the controversy over Operation Bluestar Memorial as an internal matter of the Sikhs, the high priests said nobody should be allowed to publicly air views on the matter.

Addressing mediapersons, Akal Takht chief, Jathedar Gurbachan Singh said nobody had the right to issue “unnecessary statements” on the row.

He said the SGPC and the Damdami Taksal would be asked to sit across the table and resolve the issue. He said they had received suggestions from various quarters which too would be discussed before a decision was arrived at.

The chances of the matter being resolved before Operation Bluestar anniversary on June 6 appear slim. On the demand by some political parties that plaques with Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale’s name be removed, he said: “It is our internal matter and we will decide on it.”

Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Balwant Singh Nandgarh and Golden Temple’s Head Granthi Giani Mal Singh, expressing their personal views, said they were in favour of retaining plaques with Bhindranwale’s name.

Takht Patna Sahib Jathedar Giani Iqbal Singh refused to comment on the matter. He, however, said the young generation of Sikhs was in favour of retaining Bhindranwale’s name.

Asked about the Operation Bluestar anniversary, the Akal Takht chief said it would be observed at Akal Takht and not the memorial. There would be ‘Gurbani path’ at the memorial, which is in the form of a gurdwara, but akhand path would not be held there. He ducked queries on the memorial row apparently, hinting that the clergy did not want another controversy before June 6.

The SGPC and the Taksal have been at loggerheads for the past fortnight over Bhindranwale’s name on plaques installed at the memorial. Earlier, the Dal Khalsa had submitted a memorandum, requesting the Akal Takht Jathedar to resolve the memorial row “keeping the collective will of the community and historical traditions in mind.” Dal Khalsa leader Kanwarpal Singh blamed SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar for creating the controversy with his “unnecessary statements.”

The Sikh clergy also discussed the demand by non-Sikh communities that they be allowed to perform marriages as per the Sikh rituals (Anand Karaj). The Akal Takht chief said they would put forth the matter before Sikh intellectuals before taking any decision.

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