29092024-TT-01.qxd 9/28/2024 11:18 PM Page 1 123 CHANDIGARH | GURUGRAM | JALANDHAR | BATHINDA | VOL. 144 NO. 270 | 20 PAGES | ~7.00 | REGD. NO. CHD/0006/2024-2026 ESTABLISHED IN 1881  HIMACHAL PRADESH WADA APPEALS AGAINST SINNER DOPE VERDICT, SEEKS BAN SPORT /thetribunechd HOPING FOR MAJOR TURNOUT IN FINAL PHASE: OMAR J&K REMEMBERING KEKI DARUWALLA, A GIFTED WRITER SPECTRUM M’RASHTRA ASSEMBLY POLL BEFORE NOVEMBER 26, SAYS CEC BACK PAGE sunday | 29 september 2024 /thetribunechd www.tribuneindia.com J&K cop killed in Kathua gunfight JAMMU: A Jammu and Kashmir Police head constable was killed and an Assistant Sub-Inspector was injured on Saturday evening during an encounter between security forces and terrorists in a remote village in Kathua district, officials said. The encounter at Kog-Mandli village in Billawar tehsil started around 5.30 pm when security forces launched a joint cordon and search operation following information about the presence of a group of terrorists inside a house, the officials said. The firing was going on when last reports were received. — PTI Mann diagnosed withceptospirosis CHANDIGARH: Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann was on Saturday diagnosed with bacterial infection leptospirosis, with doctors saying he is being given antibiotics and his vitals are “completely stable”. The 50-year-old AAP leader was admitted to Fortis Hospital, Mohali, on Wednesday for a routine check-up. “At present, all vitals of the CM are completely stable. As suspected at the time of admission for tropical fever, his blood tests for leptospirosis have tested positive,” as per a heath bulletin. INSIDE Haryana Cong promises laws to Cross-border terror will invite curb honour killing, mob lynching consequences, India tells Pak Manifesto vows panel for farmers, end to ‘donkey’ route migrations Slams Shehbaz Sharif’s remarks on Art 370 at UN Bhartesh Singh Thakur Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Chandigarh, September 28 Just a week ahead of polling, the Haryana Congress today unveiled its manifesto with a promise to end illegal migrations through the “donkey” route and to introduce laws against honour killings and mob lynching. The party also vowed to establish a commission for farmers’ welfare. The manifesto was released by former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot, party’s state president Udai Bhan and election manifesto committee chairperson Geeta Bhukkal. Earlier, the party had released seven guarantees in Delhi. There, however, seems to be no sign of truce among the warring factions as Sirsa MP Kumari Selja and general secretary Randeep Surjewala stayed away from the event. The party had sought to project a united face at Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s rally in Assandh two days ago. At the rally, Gandhi had flagged migration by state youth through the “donkey” route. Hooda, too, has tried to From left: Former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot, Haryana ex-CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda and state Congress chief Uday Bhan release the party manifesto ahead of Assembly polls in Chandigarh on Saturday. TRIBUNE PHOTO HARYANA MOVES DERA CHIEF’S REQUEST FOR 20-DAY PAROLE TO EC ■ Haryana has moved rape & murder convict Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh’s case for 20-day parole to the state EC. The chief election officer has asked the state if it falls under ‘compelling’ circumstances as per the rules. build a narrative around unemployment fuelling migrations from the state. In the manifesto, the party has promised action against immigration agents who send youth abroad illegally. ■ The dera head has frequently been granted fur- lough or parole around elections in Haryana or neighbouring states. He was last granted 21-day furlough on August 13 after which he had surrendered in Rohtak jail earlier this month. INSIDE In 2019, the party had promised a law against mob lynching by cow vigilantes, an emotive issue among Muslim voters. Two years later, Deputy CLP leader Aftab Ahmed introduced a private member’s Bill in this regard but was turned down by the BJP government. The party has again promised a law to address the issue. The Congress has taken a bold stand continued on page 6 New Delhi, September 28 India has slammed Pakistan in the UN General Assembly, saying it should realise that cross-border terrorism against India will “inevitably invite consequences”. India exercised its ‘right of reply’ on Friday in response to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif raising the issue of Jammu and Kashmir in his address at the general debate of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly. “This assembly regrettably witnessed a travesty... A country run by the military, with a global reputation for terrorism, narcotics trade and transnational crime has had the audacity to attack the world’s largest democracy,” said Bhavika Mangalanandan, First Secretary in India’s Permanent Mission to the UN. To a specific point by Sharif, who had suggested a mutual strategic restraint regime, the Indian diplomat said: “In fact, Pakistan should realise that cross-border terrorism against India will inevitably invite consequences.” Raising the Kashmir issue, No new change in OCI norms: India NEW YORK: The Consulate General of India in NY has refuted reports about restrictions being placed on Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders, asserting that “no new change” has been introduced recently. “We have come across news reports spreading false information that restrictions have been placed on OCI cardholders in the recent past,” the consulate said in a post on X. It said provisions of the notification dated March 4, 2021, about the rights of OCI cardholders “continue to remain in force”. — PTI Sharif had said to “secure durable peace”, India should reverse the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution and enter into a dialogue for a peaceful resolution of the issue. He said India spurned Pakistan’s proposals for a mutual “strategic restraint regime”. “The world knows Pak- istan has long employed cross-border terrorism as a weapon against its neighbours,” she said. “It has attacked our Parliament, our financial capital Mumbai, marketplaces and pilgrimage routes,” the diplomat said, referring to the 2001 Parliament and the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks carried out by Pakistanbased terror groups. “The list is long. For such a country to speak about violence anywhere is hypocrisy at its worst,” Mangalanandan said. Reminding the international community that this was a nation that for long hosted Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, Mangalanandan said Pakistan’s fingerprints were there on many terrorist incidents across the world. “Perhaps it should come as no surprise that its prime minister would so speak in this hallowed hall. Yet we must make clear how unacceptable his words are to all of us. We know that Pakistan will seek to counter the truth with more lies. Repetition will change nothing. Our stand is clear and needs no reiteration,” she said. continued on page 6 Hezbollah chief killed FIR against Sitharaman in Israeli strike, most over poll bond complaint powerful target so far Accused of extortion under guise of scheme Beirut, September 28 Lebanon’s Hezbollah group confirmed on Saturday that its leader and one of its founders, Hassan Nasrallah, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut the previous day. Hezbollah vowed to “continue the war against the enemy and in support of Palestine.” Nasrallah, who led Hezbollah for more than three decades, is by far the most powerful target to be killed by Israel in weeks of intensified fighting with Hezbollah. The Israeli military said it carried out a precise airstrike on Friday while Hezbollah leadership were meeting at their headquarters in Dahiyeh, south of Beirut. The Lebanese Health Ministry said six persons were killed and 91 injured in the strikes, which levelled six apartment buildings. Ali Karki, the commander of Hezbollah’s Southern Front and other commanders were also killed, the Israeli military said. Iran announced on Saturday that a prominent general in its paramilitary Revolutionary Guard sanctioned by the US died in the same airstrike. Abbas Nilforushan (58), who the US identified as the deputy commander for operations in the Guard, was killed on Friday, Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency reported. Lt Col Nadav Shoshani, an army spokesperson, said the airstrike was based on years of tracking Nasrallah along with “real-time information” that made it viable. He declined to say what munitions were used in the strike or provide an estimate on civilian deaths, only saying that Israel takes measures to avoid civilians whenever possible and clears strikes ahead of time with intelligence and legal experts. The Palestinian militant Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah IT'S JUSTICE FOR HIS MANY VICTIMS killing of ❝ Israel’sleader Hassan Hezbollah Nasrallah is a measure of justice for his many victims. The US fully supports Israel’s right to defend itself against Iran-supported groups. Joe Biden, US PRESIDENT group Hamas, in a statement, issued condolences to its ally, Hezbollah. Nasrallah frequently described launching rockets against northern Israel as a “support front” for Hamas and Palestinians in Gaza. “History has proven that the resistance... whenever its leaders die as martyrs, will be succeeded on the same path by a generation of leaders who are more valiant, stronger and more determined to continue the confrontation,” the Hamas statement said. It added that “assassinations will only increase the resistance in Lebanon and Palestine in determination and resolve.” Immediately after the official continued on page 7 Bengaluru, September 28 A case was registered on Saturday against Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and others on the directions of a court here, following a complaint relating to the now-scrapped electoral bonds scheme. According to the police, an FIR was registered under IPC sections 384 (punishment for extortion), 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) against Nirmala Sitharaman, ED officials and office-bearers of the BJP at state and national level, based on the order of a special court. BJP’s Karnataka chief BY Vijayendra, party leader Nalin Kumar Kateel have also been named in the FIR. The complaint was lodged by Adarsh R Iyer, co-president of ‘Janaadhikaara Sangharsha Parishath’ (JSP), who alleged that the accused “committed extortion under the guise and garb of electoral bonds and bene- Emergency shows Sikhs in bad light, ban it, says SGPC fitted to the tune of more than Rs 8,000 crore”. The complainant further alleged that Sitharaman, through the clandestine aid and support of ED officials, facilitated extortion of thousands of crores of rupees for the benefit of others, both at the state and national level. “The entire extortion racket under the garb of electoral bonds has been orchestrated hand in glove with officials of BJP at various levels.” The Supreme Court in February had struck down the electoral bond scheme, saying it violates the Right to Information and the freedom of speech and expression under the Constitution. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramiah, whose resignation is sought by the opposition BJP as an FIR was registered against continued on page 6 People don’t want dynastic politics: PM in J&K At Jammu rally, Priyanka says BJP only helping ‘friends & outsiders’ Our Correspondent Jammu, September 28 PM Narendra Modi on Saturday attacked the NC, PDP and the Congress, terming them “dynastic” political parties. He was addressing a rally in Jammu. “The people of Jammu and Kashmir, who have been at the receiving end of the rule of three families do not want them back,” he said. On the other hand, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi also addressed a public gathering in Jammu’s Bishnah on Saturday. Besides raking up issues concerning the common man, Priyanka alleged that the J&K Lieutenant Governor and top BJP leaders were only helping their “friends and outsiders” at the cost of people of the UT. She also accused the BJP of ignoring sentiments of people of Jammu, saying small businesses had been ruined due to the policies of the saffron party. The rallies of the two leaders came as the BJP and the Congress intensified their campaign for the last phase of the Assembly elections in J&K. The campaigning for the third and the final phase of the poll will end on Sunday evening with the voting on October 1. The BJP had been making preparations for the PM’s rally for last many days. Ministers G Kishan Reddy, Jiten- dra Singh and party’s national general secretary Tarun Chugh among others were laying the groundwork for the event. Priyanka’s meeting also held importance as she visited Jammu for the first time during the campaigning. During his speech, Modi said people in J&K were looking forward to a government free of “corruption, terrorism and separatism” for peace and a better future for their children. ‘Show girls’ spice up poll campaign in Mewat hinterland Sumedha Sharma Tribune News service Amritsar, September 28 The SGPC on Saturday unanimously resolved not to allow the screening of Kangana Ranaut-starrer “Emergency” in Punjab for its alleged character assassination of Sikhs. MANDATORY STEP TO ENSURE COMMUNAL HARMONY: DHAMI SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami said the executive body had asked the Bhagwant Mann-led state government to ban its screening “for the sake of communal harmony”. Dhami claimed the movie portrayed the Sikh community and its leaders in a bad light, which could not be tolerated. — TNS PM Narendra Modi addresses a meeting at MA Stadium; and (right) Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra at Bishnah in Jammu. PTI A dancer at a poll rally in Nuh. Gurugram, September 28 In a majority of the Assembly segments in Mewat region, mainly Nuh, Sohna and Palwal, huge gatherings are being witnessed in poll rallies, notwithstanding the hot and humid weather. On one such sultry afternoon in Sohna, Mewati songs praising Congress candidate Rohtash Khatana can be heard a mile away. The venue is packed and hundreds of men are seen surrounding a blue-coloured tent. But make no mistake, they are not there to hear any political gyan. All they want to witness is the per- Today’s issue is of 20 pages, including six-page Spectrum. formance by a local dancing diva, Meera Rajput. Along with her, there are around 20 girls, all dressed in bright yellow salwar suits, dancing vigorously to the tune of a self-composed song, which though praises how Khatana will turn around the constituency, the men aren’t complaining. Meera, a rally dancer from Aligarh, is well-known in this part of the state. Candidates across parties hire her to pull the crowd at their rallies and add a dash of entertainment to break the monotony of political speeches. “We usually charge Rs 7,000 for an hour’s performance. But with rising demand amid elections, we are charging anything between Rs 11,000 and Rs 25,000 per show. It all depends on duration and type of crowd. In many parts of Mewat like Nagina and Hathin or Alwar in Rajasthan, men are rowdy. We charge more for performing in such areas as we need extra security. We have several packages. Either the parties give us their own songs or we compose for them in local Mewati dialect,” said Meera, who has a YouTube channel with good subscriber base. Seema, another dancer, said, “We follow a strict security code. In political events, we usually wear salwar suits, the brighter the better. We don’t dress scantly, but do show the moves to keep men engaged till the leaders arrive. The songs are tacky and that’s what gets people here. “Parties pay us to keep people engaged. We are not educated, but have families to feed. Our men send us to dance as they are assured that nobody can touch us.” Junaid Khan, who runs an agency of rally performers, said while social media campaigning had taken over in most parts of the state, entertainment shows were still popular in rural Mewat.