The Tribune – The disgraced former Haryana top cop SPS Rathore

Rathore booked under Sec 306

Arun Sharma, Tribune News Service

Panchkula, January 5. In a fresh move that will further tighten the noose on disgraced former Haryana top cop SPS Rathore, the Panchkula police today slapped an abetment to suicide case on him under Section 306 of the IPC.

Rathore and four others, including the then SP of Ambala KP Singh, ASI Jai Narayan, SI Prem Dutt and ASI Sewa Singh, were booked on the complaint of Ruchika’s brother Ashu, who alleged that they were responsible for the suicide of his sister. After Ashu submitted his complaint on December 31 last year, the police sought legal opinion in the case and registered an FIR against the accused after getting a green signal from the Advocate General.

Notably, the two ASIs and the SI have already been booked under Sections 306/107/108 and 120 B of the IPC in connection with the Ruchika case.

Rathore was given interim relief till January 7 by a Panchkula court after he applied for an anticipatory bail in case of attempt to murder registered against him and other officials on the basis of two complaints lodged by Ashu and his father last week.

The special investigating team, constituted for probe into the two FIRs lodged by Ruchika’s family, has recommended the state government to refer the three cases to the CBI.

Ashu, in his complaint, stated that he was thrashed mercilessly in Rathore’s presence in various police stations. “Ruchika could not see the brutality meted out to me and was forced to end her life,” he alleged.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20100106/main2.htm

Unworthy of medals

But dirty cops should also get due punishment

The Union Home Ministry’s decision to strip former Haryana DGP SPS Rathore of his President’s Police Medal following his conviction in the Ruchika molestation case will be some consolation for the right-thinking people who were appalled at the disrepute to which he brought the police force through his unbecoming conduct. The withdrawal will be a stern warning to other tainted officials as well. The ministry may recommend withdrawal of police medals from all persons convicted for moral turpitude or any act that brought disrespect to the police force, or any officer who was dismissed from the service for his act that brought disrepute to the police. Several officers may also be stripped of their police awards.

While the loss of medals may be a disgrace for men like Rathore, what is all the more important is that they get due punishment.

Only that can act as a deterrent against misuse of their position. They are given authority to protect the public, not to shield themselves. In fact, the way Rathore connived with other powerful politicians and policemen to make life hell for the family of Ruchika and that of her friend Aradhana makes his being free on bail a risky proposition.

The convict is making much of the so-called media trial. What he is forgetting is that the media is only pleading that there should be a fair trial, which he had circumvented ruthlessly. If he and others like him had not made a mockery of justice, the media would not have come into the picture at all. There is need to put in place a mechanism that men like him are not able to take the justice delivery system for a ride. He had the entire might of the state with him. What is wrong with the media sympathising with the distraught families who underwent a nightmare for 19 long years?

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20100106/edit.htm#2

The Tribune – Cold wave abates, just a bit

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 5. The biting cold wave abated somewhat in North India today as the sun came out, lifting the fog as also temperature in some parts of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh. The Jammu-Srinagar national highway also reopened after being closed for two days due to heavy snowfall.

However, despite the cold wave relenting slightly, latest reports say that the number of cold-related deaths went up to 124, with four fresh cases reported from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

The Met office said maximum temperature remained below normal by 4.8°C in Punjab, Haryana, north Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Gangetic West Bengal, by 2.3°C in Madhya Pradesh, south Rajasthan and Gujarat. It was above normal by 2.4°C in parts of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Telengana, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, and North-East. It was almost normal in rest of the country.

Minimum temperature remained below normal by 2.4°C in parts of Madhya Pradesh, coastal Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, north coastal Andhra Pradesh, east Rajasthan and Orissa. It was above normal by around 2.3°C in parts of Maharashtra, northeastern states and near normal in rest of the country.

It said the minimum temperature is likely to go down by 2-3°C over northwest and central India during the next couple of days. Day temperature is likely to increase by 2-3°C in northwest and central India during the next two days. Cold day conditions in Punjab, Haryana and west Uttar Pradesh will abate during the next 24 hours, it said. Dry weather conditions would prevail in most parts of the country, it added.

Mist or shallow fog in the morning is likely in parts of Indo-Gangetic plains during the next 24 hours.

Though mercury went up by two notches, cold conditions continued in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh. Amritsar remained the coldest place in the region as it recorded a minimum temperature of 1.2°C, dipping by three notches below normal, the Met office said. Halwara recorded a low of 3°C followed by Adampur, which shivered at 5.2°C.

The met department at the Adampur Air Force Station has predicted fog, mist and cloudy conditions in the area. “There will be less than 1 km of visibility till 11 am. It will improve to around 2.5 km by 1 pm,” sources added.

Chandigarh recorded a low of 7°C, up by 1°C against average temperature. Ludhiana and Patiala saw mercury settling at 7.8°C and 8°C, respectively. Ambala and Rohtak recorded a low of 6.7°C while Karnal witnessed a minimum of 9°C. Bhiwani, Narnaul and Hisar recorded a minimum temperature of 5.4°C, 8.7°C and 6.2°C, respectively.

With let-up in snow and rain, night temperature improved in Jammu and Kashmir, barring Ladakh region where mercury dipped to -18°C in Leh and -16.8°C in Kargil district. The minimum temperature in Srinagar this morning was 2°C, 4°C above normal, while hill resort Pahalgam recorded a low of -2.9°C.

Thoise in the upper reaches saw a minimum temperature of -11°C, cutting off the valley from the rest of the country. Jammu recorded a low of 7°C, while Udhampur shivered at a minimum temperature of 5°C.

Cold wave conditions relented in Shimla and other lower areas of Himachal Pradesh as the temperature rose in most parts of the state. After a rise in night temperature, Shimla witnessed a sunny day, giving much relief to the people.

Despite sun coming out, Delhi remained in the grip of intense cold wave as chilly northwesterly winds from the Himalayas brought down the maximum temperature, which was recorded at 14°C, 8°C below normal, and so far the lowest in the season. After the sun came out, the minimum temperature climbed to 9.3°C, giving some comfort to the people reeling under severe cold conditions for the past one week.

(With inputs from Kusum Arora in Jalandhar)

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20100106/main3.htm

The Tribune – Farmers upbeat over widespread rain in region

Major power shutdown affects train movement again

Jangveer Singh, Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 3. Widespread rainfall in Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh evoked cheer among farmers, as it is good for fledgling wheat crop even as foggy conditions and a dip in the temperature forced many people to remain indoors besides reducing visibility on roads.

There was a major power blip also with the National Grid witnessing a breakdown last night. The DGM Load and Despatch Centre of the Power Grid Corporation stated that a heavy spark reported in the 400 kV substation at Bawana in Haryana led to tripping of all lines in the region, affecting power supply in Punjab, Haryana and Himachal and affecting rail movement from Panipat, Narela and Punjab.

While Punjab, whose thermal plants also tripped, suffered a generation loss of 1,700 MW, Haryana suffered a generation loss of 950 MW and Himachal that of 275 MW. The entire region witnessed light to moderate winter rain, which started late last night and continued intermittently till this evening.

Agriculture experts said the rain was good for the wheat crop and that resultant foggy conditions would lead to more robust growth. The rain is also a godsend for the state electricity utility – the PSEB- as farmers were getting irregular supply of power since the last fortnight, which was severely affecting irrigation of wheat crop.

According to reports reaching here, the rain was consistent be it Bathinda, in the Malwa region to Jalandhar and Ludhiana in the Malwa region. Similarly Ambala, Hisar and Karnal in Haryana reported light rain. Himachal also reported widespread rain since last night.

According to the local Meteorological Department, light rain or thundershowers accompanied with fog and cloudy skies would occur in Chandigarh in the next 24 hours. There is also likely to be a rise in day temperature and a fall in night temperature. The met office said the maximum temperature in the city tomorrow was likely be around 16 degrees Celsius and the minimum temperature on Tuesday was likely to be around six degrees Celsius.

As far as the region in concerned, the met office said light to moderate rain or thundershowers would occur at many places in Punjab and Haryana during the next 24 hours and at isolated placed thereafter. Cold wave conditions are likely to prevail in isolated pockets of Punjab and are likely to abate during the next 24 hours. Days are likely to be cold in both Punjab and Haryana during the next 24 hours.

The met office while giving its outlook for subsequent two days, said weather would be mainly dry with fall in night temperature by two to four degrees. Fog and mist is likely to occur both at night and during the mornings.

 http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20100104/punjab.htm#2

The Tribune – Sikh bodies want SGPC panel to reject proposed changes to Nanakshahi Calendar

Dharmendra Joshi, Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, December 31. After the Sikh clergy referred the issue of the Nanakshahi Calendar to the SGPC executive committee for discussion, various Sikh bodies at home and among the diaspora today shot a letter to all executive committee members urging them to reject the “draft” of proposed changes that would come up for deliberations in their January 3 emergency meeting.

Upping their ante against those who are pushing for changes in the calendar, the DSGMC, Dal Khalsa, Akand Kirtani Jatha, SAD (Panch Pardani), Sikh Students Federation, Sikh Youth of Punjab, Shiromani Khalsa Panchayat, Akal Federation, Sikh Watch Group categorically stated that the mixing of Nanakshahi Calendar with the Bikrami Calendar was unacceptable and uncalled for.

Urging the SGPC executive members not to buckle under pressure from any quarter, the leaders, including Parmjit Singh Sarna, Manjit Singh Calcutta, Kanwarpal Singh, Rajinder Singh, Giani Baldev Singh, Harpal Singh Cheema, Parmjit Singh Gazi, Gurpreet Singh Mann and Naraian Singh, said the calendar had been accepted by the community at large. Making an appeal to all of them, the letter states, “Don’t mess up the Nanakshahi Calendar with the Bikrami Calendar, as it will hurt sentiments of the community.”

The leaders posed three questions to the presidents of the SAD and the SGPC. If gurpurb and ‘sangrands’ are to be observed as per the Bikrami Calendar, then where was the need for the Nanakshahi Calendar? Are you not putting the Sikhs in a ridiculous and awkward situation by mixing the Bikrami and Nanakshahi Calendars? Will you like to see yourself as sinners of the panth and history?

Groups from the diaspora that have voiced their concern on the issue includes the American Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Sikh Youth of America, Dasmesh Darbar Surrey, United Khalsa Dal, UK, International Sikh Council Belgium, Voices For Freedom, Sikh Federation of Germany, Canada, Australia, Switzerland, KAC (Washington, DC).

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20100101/punjab.htm#3

The Tribune – CBI gets sanction to prosecute Sajjan Kumar

PC keeps his promise of action in the case
Ajay Banerjee, Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 31. In a much-awaited development, Delhi’s Lt Governor Tejendra Khanna today, following an advice from the Union Home Ministry, gave a go-ahead to the CBI to prosecute senior Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case.

While confirming that the sanction had been accorded, sources said a formal notification was expected by tonight. A case against Sajjan Kumar and three others was registered under various sections, including 302 and 153-A of the IPC, in Delhi for their alleged involvement in the riots. A sanction to prosecute Sajjan Kumar had been hindering progress in the case.

Notably, the move follows Union Home Minister P Chidambaram’s announcement in this context in Parliament less than a fortnight ago: “…we have advised the Lt Governor (on according sanction)… I will once again request him to take a decision before the end of the month (December).”

Chidambaram made the promise while replying to a debate on a calling attention motion on “the progress of relief to the victims and measures taken to punish the guilty”, which was moved by Independent MP from Haryana, Tarlochan Singh. As per official estimates, about 3,000 Sikhs had lost their lives in the aftermath of the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

The sanction was crucial as Section 153-A was a part of the case and as per law government’s prior sanction is needed for prosecution under this section. The sanction should not be confused with the sanction that is needed in case of constitutional authorities or government servants, said sources. Other sections of the IPC like 302 need no prior sanction. Section 153-A of the IPC deals with incidents or acts of “promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race… and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony”. The sanction is needed as Section 196 of the CrPC clearly lays down that a court cannot take cognizance of a case under Section 153-A of the IPC unless prior sanction has been accorded.

In total, there are four cases registered against Sajjan Kumar. The CBI had clubbed three different cases that were pending and sought sanction from the Lt Governor. One more case was being tried separately.

Reacting to the development over the phone from Punjab, HS Phoolka, the lawyer for the riot victims, said: “Imposition of Section 153-A was done to delay the matter. The CBI should have tried him only under Section 302, which has a far more stiffer penalty and needs no sanction.”

Addressing mediapersons earlier, Chidambaram said he had issued certain directions on December 16 regarding pending claims for compensation. West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Chandigarh had been told to complete the compensation process by December 31 and file the claims with the Centre by January 2010. He said he had also issued directions for giving jobs to riot-affected families at the earliest.

Chidambaram said he had issued directions for tracing out the missing persons and for action against police officers named in the Kusum Lata Mittal report. Kusum Lata Mittal, a former secretary to the Union government, had identified a dozen police officials who had done a creditable job and recommended action against 72 police personnel and dismissal of six others. Chidambaram has in the past expressed his anguish at how Delhi police cops looked the other way as the riots claimed lives.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20100101/main1.htm

BBC News – England calm Delhi Commonwealth Games security fears

BBC News, 30 December 2009

England’s Commonwealth Games chief has denied they will pull out of the 2010 event in India over security concerns.

A senior Whitehall source is reported to have told the Daily Telegraph there was “virtually no chance” an England team would be sent to Delhi.

But the England team’s chief executive Ann Hogbin said: “That is definitely not the case. Our strong intention is to field a team in Delhi next year.”

The Foreign Office says it has not told any British teams to miss the event.

Unlike the Olympic Games where Britain competes under the Team GB banner, there are separate teams for England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales at the Commonwealths.

A Foreign and Commonwealth Office statement said: “We are aware that the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) had some concerns about preparations for the Games.

“We continue to work closely with the Indian authorities who are doing everything they can to ensure a safe and secure Games.”

The CGF is the organisation responsible for the direction and control of the Games.

Security for athletes, officials and spectators in Delhi has been a cause for concern following terrorist incidents in the region which have led to several sporting events being moved from the subcontinent.

England’s badminton team withdrew from the World Championships in Hyderabad in August citing a “specific terrorist threat”, although the event passed without incident.

In March, the Sri Lanka cricket team was ambushed by 12 gunmen while they were being driven to a match in Lahore, Pakistan.

Eight Pakistanis were killed, while six Sri Lanka players and English match official Chris Broad were injured in the attack.

And in November 2008 more than 170 people were killed in the Mumbai terror attacks.

On-going concerns about security on the subcontinent forced organisers to move the Indian Premier League to South Africa earlier this year.

However, Delhi organising committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi said: “Security is certainly not an issue. A foolproof security was discussed for the Games during the security liaison conference in New Delhi in September.”

Experts from 26 of the 71 participating nations, including England, Australia and New Zealand, took part in the conference and were satisfied with the preparations.

Hogbin, who has worked at nine Games and is head of Commonwealth Games England, added: “Of course, we have a duty of care to the athletes and other team members which we take very seriously.

“Despite having been given extensive briefings from relevant authorities we have not received any indication that we should not participate in the Games and we will continue to work hard to put in place the best possible arrangements for our team.”

And CGE marketing director Duncan Lewis told BBC Radio 5 live: “This is not something where you make a one-off snap decision a period of time out from the Games.

“We’ll continue to seek advice, but at the moment we are full steam ahead for Delhi.

“We won’t force athletes to go. It is down to individuals to make that decision. But we will make sure they have expert advice and facts.”

England’s chef de mission Craig Hunter was in Delhi for 18 days in October and he added: “At no point during the 18 days did I feel any sense of threat or uncertainty working down the street.

“Terrorism is never very far away, unfortunately, but at this moment in time, we see no reasons why we won’t be competing.”

Hunter’s thoughts were echoed by his Welsh counterpart Chris Jenkins, who has also visited Delhi recently while the Metropolitan Police Service confirmed that it had not issued any advice against athletes competing in Delhi.

Australia’s Commonwealth Games chief Perry Crosswhite is also happy with the current security levels and they will be sending a team of more than 400 athletes and officials.

“I’m not a security expert, but India have employed people that are and the reports are good,” he said.

“I have not had one athlete, one manager, one coach, contact me with the view that they shouldn’t be going.”

Several English athletes have already indicated they may not be part of the near 100-strong team for Delhi, which could be the largest sent to compete at a Commonwealth Games.

World gymnast champion Beth Tweddle is not going because the event, which runs from 3-14 October, finishes three days before the world championships start in the Netherlands

British Gymnastics has decided to send its A squad to the world championships and a B squad to the Commonwealth Games. This is in order to try and qualify a British Team for the 2012 Olympics.

Heptathletes Jessica Ennis, who won the world title in August, and Kelly Sotherton – the reigning Commonwealth champion – are likely absentees as the competition follows the European Championships in Barcelona in July and clashes with the start of their winter training when athletes will be working towards the 2011 World Championships in Daegu, South Korea.

Phillips Idowu, the Commonwealth triple jump champion at Melbourne in 2006, and Paula Radcliffe – who won 5,000m gold at Manchester in 2002 – may also not travel.

More than 8,000 athletes from 71 nations are due to compete in India.

Glasgow is due to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/front_page/8434434.stm

The Tribune – Rape and Torture in Haryana

Ashu still bears the scars of torture

Arun Sharma

Tribune news Service. Panchkula, December 25. Haryana’s former DGP SPS Rathore may have been convicted for molesting Ruchika, yet the victim’s brother Ashu is still in a state of shock.

In fact, Ashu, on whom a series of criminal cases were slapped, allegedly at the behest of Rathore, is yet to overcome the trauma and the physical as well as mental torture he had undergone at the hands of Haryana police 16 years ago till Ruchika committed suicide on December 29, 1993.

“We would like Ashu tells the media every thing but he is not prepared to relive the hell he went through during last two decades. And that was the reason that I compelled my father-in-law to come out in the open so that people know each and every bit of their tale of woes”, his wife Kavita told The Tribune.

Though efforts to contact Ashu proved futile, his wife spoke for him. “A visibly upset Ashu now devotes most of his time in meditation in a bid to remain in proper frame of mind,” she informed.

In fact, the family was finding it hard to explain the bizarre happenings to their 11-year-old daughter.

“Ashu who was arrested, tortured, and humiliated in public wants to forget his past and it would be better if he is left alone with his family, including our 11-year-old daughter. To protect her from the present turmoil is our priority”, said Kavita, suggesting that the affidavit filed by Ashu in court could be gone through to know the story of his miseries.

The affidavit stated that it was around Diwali in 1993, when Ashu a (15-year-old teenager at that time) was arrested by Panchkula police on the charges of auto-lifting. Later, one day he was brought out of police statation and was taken to his house. He was told by Rathore that he should go and tell his sister to save him. He was beaten up mercilessly and he could not even walk properly. He was brought out from a gypsy in front of his house and paraded handcuffed in the whole lane and the police party kept on abusing his sister and father.

It probably affected Ruchika who was present there and she committed suicide after a few days of this incident, said the affidavit. This was not all.

According to statement of Ashu in the affidavit, before this, he was arrested eight times in 1993 and tortured in the police stations in presence of Rathore who used to direct the policemen to torture him till he gave up. He was even kept hungry and without any water for days together, said the affidavit.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20091226/main6.htm

BBC News – Bridge collapse in western India ‘kills 40′

BBC News, 26 December 2009

The collapse of a bridge being built in western India is feared to have left some 40 people dead, local police say.

Dozens of labourers working on the bridge are thought to have fallen into the river Chambal when it collapsed late on Thursday.

Rescuers have recovered 12 bodies but there is little hope of finding anyone else alive, a senior officer said.

The accident happened near the town of Kota, some 170 miles (270 km) west of Jaipur in Rajasthan.

Police Inspector General Rajeev Dasot said an inquiry had begun into the circumstances leading to the collapse of the bridge, which is being jointly built by South Korea’s Hyundai Engineering and Gammon India.

Mr Dasot said it could take another three days to clear all the debris, AP news agency reported.

The government has ordered an investigation and police have arrested two project managers.

Correspondents say construction site accidents are relatively common in India, where health and safety rules are often overlooked.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/8430703.stm

BBC News – Has sleaze ruling left Pakistan more polarised?

M Ilyas Khan, BBC News, Islamabad, 22 December 2009

The Pakistani Supreme Court’s decision last week to strike down an amnesty law for politicians has created more questions than it has answered.

The decision has led to the reopening of corruption cases against hundreds of people, including the country’s President, Asif Zardari, and some top federal and provincial ministers.

President Zardari is covered by constitutional immunity and cannot be proceeded against as long as he is president, but cases against the ministers can be reopened immediately.

Many in Pakistan have hailed the decision as a major step towards strengthening the rule of law in the country.

But many more read in it a familiar pattern by which the country’s security establishment has repeatedly undermined civilian governments, especially those led by the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), which is now in power.

Defiant stance

The government has avoided an open confrontation with the court, but has adopted a defiant stance.

President Zardari has refused to step down, and no member of the cabinet has been asked to resign, though they say they will abide by the court’s ruling and face charges brought against them.

The main opposition leader, Nawaz Sharif, has so far resisted the temptation to start a full-blown movement against the government, presumably because he fears that this will benefit the military, not his Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party.

But while the government may survive this latest setback, it has been sufficiently weakened to focus on the two core issues the country faces; war against militants and an ailing economy.

For the Western powers, such uncertainty does not bode well.

These powers decided to back a democratic government in Pakistan when the former military regime of General Pervez Musharraf failed to counter the expanding influence of Taliban militants.

Analysts say powers such as the US, the UK and Saudi Arabia underwrote a public amnesty which would enable popular politicians such as Benazir Bhutto to return to the country and counter the Taliban.

The result was the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), a law which Ms Bhutto negotiated with former military ruler General Musharraf in 2007 to write off cases against her and members of her party which she said were “politically motivated”.

But when the legal team of the former president drafted the law, they expanded its scope to bring several Musharraf allies into its orbit.

Recently, more than 8,000 people – among them politicians, bureaucrats and businessmen – were found to have benefitted from the law.

But the entire debate in the week-long hearings at the Supreme Court revolved around the PPP leaders, notably President Zardari, and they are the ones who appear to be the most directly affected.

Ganging up?

This has led many analysts to question the validity of the original cases of corruption against the PPP leaders in the first place.

They point out that all these cases were instituted to justify the premature ousting of Bhutto’s second government in 1997.

The cases were lodged by the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who had then replaced Bhutto.

None of the accused leaders were ever convicted in those cases, although President Zardari spent eight years in jail and Bhutto herself lived in self-exile in Dubai.

Many ask what difference will the courts or the investigating agencies make now if the cases are reopened.

There are also questions over the timing and the overall context of the decision.

Many in Sindh province, the stronghold of PPP, believe it is yet another example of the military and the top judiciary ganging up to oust Sindhi politicians from power.

They suspect that the December 2007 assassination of Ms Bhutto at an election rally was the work of some rogue elements within the security establishment to deprive the PPP of effective leadership.

The party still won the February 2008 election, and during the first year of its rule it created the conditions for a successful military operation against the militants in Swat region.

But President Zardari’s offer of a no-first-use of nuclear weapons pact with India, his assertion that India posed no threat to Pakistan, and his attempts to bring the military’s ISI intelligence service under civilian control were initiatives that many believe crossed the red line into a sphere which the military considers to be its exclusive domain.

Secessionists

The military was also perturbed over the recent American aid package to Pakistan which stressed the supremacy of civilian rule over the military as one of its core conditions.

It publicly opposed the package.

The Supreme Court’s verdict against the NRO, and its PPP-centric connotations have led many to point out why the court continues to defer other, more fundamental cases of institutional corruption.

These include a case in which the ISI allegedly distributed funds to raise a political front against the PPP in 1988. The case has been pending at the Supreme Court since 1999.

There have also been cases of major loan write-offs in favour of political allies of the former military rulers, such as General Musharraf and General Ziaul Haq.

In addition to these questions over the impartiality of the top judiciary, there is also a growing perception that the weakening of the PPP government may strengthen secessionist forces in Sindh province.

Many say the Supreme Court verdict has left the country more polarised than before.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/8425045.stm

RT.COM – Sikhs strive for recognition in new Afghanistan

08 December, 2009. Decades of fighting has almost wiped out the Sikh and Hindu communities in Afghanistan. Most of them fled the country, and those who are left are struggling to find a place in Afghan society.

Sikhs and Hindus have been in Afghanistan for generations, but whereas once they thrived as a community, three decades of fighting has seen their numbers and influence diminish.

Many of them were killed during the civil war of the 1990s, when their houses, shops and properties were seized by powerful warlords.

Later, under the Taliban, they were forced to wear patches, turbans, or yellow veils to identify themselves. Now, President Karzai’s promises to them are also delivering precious little.

For Sikh children, who cannot attend schools because of the prejudice of their peers, spend their time on the streets of Kabul, where there are plenty of children, and their future looks bleak.

“Every day when I was walking home from school, the children would start hitting me and ask why I put a potato on my head and how much I was selling it for,” says Sikh Kolwinder Singh. “I want to go to school, I want to study, but I cannot. There is too much bullying. It is impossible for me to attend class.”

Kolwinder’s parents took him and his cousins out of school more than a decade ago. They now teach them at home, but it is not easy and most of the children are illiterate.

“For fifteen years our children have not gone to school. We do not have money to send them to private schools and we cannot afford to pay teachers,” says Sikh Dahrmanider Singh. “After the Soviet Union collapsed we had lots of difficulties. We are not rich and we cannot leave the country, otherwise we would have done so a long time ago.”

Today, one hundred Sikh families live in Kabul, whereas before the civil war there were some 3,000 families. Most left for India, Canada, Belgium, the United Kingdom and even Russia, but aside from problems in education, there are problems with religion.

Community life revolves around the Dharamsal temple, but the authorities insist they hold cremation ceremonies for their dead beyond the city gates.

Awtar Singh, who represents Sikhs and Hindus in government, is frustrated with the lack of support they are given. For instance, the Afghan national anthem mentions all the country’s ethnic groups – except Sikhs.

“The government announced many times it would give us a place to burn our bodies, but so far, nothing,” complains representative of religious minorities Awtar Singh. “Sometimes we have to drive six, seven hours to get to a place where we can do it. We have also been asking for the past six, seven years for land where we can build houses for the homeless in our community.”

Deputy Mayor of Kabul Abdul Ahad insists the authorities are doing their best given the circumstances.

“To the best of our abilities we have responded to this,” says Abdul Ahad, adding “We have assigned an area as per the master plan and the development plan of this part of Kabul city for Hindus to do the burning of their dead and all that. But, when they wanted to use the area, it was blocked, I should say, by other sects.”

President Karzai has delayed meeting with the community leaders, but now, with the world’s attention on him and on his efforts to rebuild Afghanistan, they are hoping their voice will finally be heard.

http://rt.com/Top_News/2009-12-08/sikh-afghanistan-kabul-recognition.html