Reaction on Amritsar violence continued

Sat, Jun 7, 2014 at 9:34 PM

People of Punjab not to get trapped in the hands of separatist forces-Grewal

Bahadurgarh (Haryana) 7 June 2014: (Punjab Screen Bureau)

People of Punjab not to get trapped in the hands of separatist forces. All India Secretary BJP Kisan Morcha from Punjab and Prabhari Himachal Pradesh Advocate, Sukhminderpal Singh Grewal strongly condemned a clash between two groups inside the Golden Temple premises in Amritsar. He said nobody would be allowed to disturb hard earned atmosphere of peace and harmony in the state. Talking with the media persons at Bahadurgarh today evening after BJP Kisan Morcha National Executive meeting he said that Incidents that happened at Amritsar on the occasion of 30th anniversary of operation Bluestar, had deeply pained him and the people of Punjab and also members of the community throughout the world. Grewal said that the violence at Golden Temple in Amritsar and urged the state government and SGPC to take strict action against the culprits. He said that such incidents of violence is like lowering the dignity of the Golden Temple that is known as the place of high reverence for all regions especially the Punjabis across the world. Grewal appealed to the Government of Punjab to take strict action against those involved in the violence so that nobody could use such places in future to take political mileage out of it. He said anybody found guilty of trying to disturb the peace of the state should be dealt with firmly and nobody would be allowed to take law in his own hands.

Candle march in support of missing girl

Mon, Jun 2, 2014 at 9:23 PM
AAP joined movement

Charndigarh: 2nd June 2014: (Punjab Screen Bureau):
Candle march was organised today by Aam Admi party in support of Gunreet kaur aged 17 years ,who is missing since 19th May 2014. Hundreds of aap supporters and students from Punjab University joined the movement , It was lead by Himmat Singh Shergill, aap candidate from shri Anandpur Sahib parliament seat and gunreet's mother Sukhdeep Kaur . The march was started from local Gurudwara Shri Amb Sahib ,with people  holding candles and banners showing gunreets photo.Mother Sukhdeep kaur told the media that she is going daily to the police station but they are giving lame excuses. She said she has also met new SSP  Mohali but the police hasn't yet started the investigation properly. During this protest Himmat singh shergill  talked to the media and said that now all citizens of Mohali are with missing daughters mother and we will meet SSP on 4th June, and we are also planing to arrange a bigger protest march and dharna in front of police station and SSP office in support of Gunreet Kaur's mother.Baldev Singh, president of sikh dharmi fauji association Punjab, and many senior citizens and young girls were part of  this protest .
Gunreet Kaur  class ten student is missing from Mohali, She is the only daughter of a divorcee  mother. When her mother went to the police station on 19th May, police just wrote DDR, but did not take quick action. The same night, she ran here and there, alone searching for her daughter. The next day, police registered FIR number 108 at police station sector 66 Mohali and SHO asked the mother to wait for few days because he was busy in IPL matches , after IPL match when she again went to meet the police officer he again came up with a new excuse and said that he was busy in drug cases.

Mr. H. S. Phoolka’s statement on Captain's allegations

 Mon, Jun 2, 2014 at 5:23 PM

"These allegations are highly unfortunate"

The statement of Capt. Amarinder Singh that the Aam Aadmi Party is dominated by Naxalites is highly unfortunate and demonstrates the frustration amongst the Congress. All the leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab have a long standing track record of Social Work. The Congress does not have any leader to match them with an equivalent long fortitude for social service.  And therefore they are leveling such malicious allegations. Dr. Dharam Veer Gandhi has been rendering free medical services for almost forty years now and Prof. Sadhu Singh has been providing free tuitions to needy students for the past four decades. The Congress leaders should try and match this passion.  I have also been in Prison during student agitations in 1972 in Ludhiana Jail like Dr. Gandhi. Now, Capt. Amrinder Singh may start labeling  me a Naxalite as well.  His statement smacks of his feudal and regressive mindset. Congress as well as the SAD are scared of the Aam Aadmi Party and therefore are trying to target them. 

A call for revival of Satluj Action Plan--BJGVJ

Mon, Jun 2, 2014 at 10:30 AM
Effective Steps Needed to Clean Budha Nala

Ludhiana: 1st June 2014: (Punjab Screen Bureau):
With a call for revival of Satluj Action Plan to clean Buddha Nala and to revive the citizens monitoring committee for the purpose, the Bharat Jan Gyan Vigyan Jatha (BJGVJ) decided to build strong Public movement on the issue. In its public function held at Nehru Rose Garden on 1st June 2014 to mark the beginning of weeklong activity dedicated to the promotion of health environment and preservation of ecology the BJGVJ termed the unhealthy Buddha Nala in Ludhiana in the present times of high technology revolution as a slur on the city and complete failure of the government and the administration to provide healthy atmosphere to the citizens. The committee headed by Shri P Ram had earlier surveyed the whole project and submitted the recommendations to the government. But the whole issue was dumped after change of government 7 years back. Speaking on the occasion Dr Arun Mitra – General Secretary BJGVJ warned that the ecological degradation has led to several disasters in our country. The unprecedented loss of human and other forms of lives and property could have been avoided in Uttarakhand if effective steps were taken to preserve ecological balance in the region. He demanded that environmental laws should be effectively implemented. As a part of the campaign Vanmahotsav was initiated by planting saplings in the rose garden by the activists of the Jatha. It was decided to plant 1000 saplings in the coming period as a part of green Ludhiana campaign.

Maj.(Retd) Sher Singh Aulakh, President of the Jatha  expressed concern at the deteriorating environmental conditions in and around Ludhiana. The air is polluted because of industrial and vehicular exhausts. Most of the water samples have failed. Garbage is lying on the road sides due to which there is always an imminent threat of communicable diseases. Even though we have witnessed epidemics every year there seems to be little in the anvil to meet these challenges in the ongoing rainy season. Only a joint and sincere effort by the administration and the civil society in coping up with these challenges can mitigate the hazards of pollution on our health. He  demanded that Paryavaran Vahini including the representatives of different departments and voluntary organisations be formed to meet this challenge.

Speaking of the public function, Dr Lakhveer Kaur Dhaliwal – Director Climate Change at PAU said that only a sustained and concerted effort with a vision for technological applications keeping in view the environment needs is required at the global level to promote health and save our planet from ecological disaster. There is thus need for a global outlook, individual responsibility and joint effort. He said that whereas degradation in environment is found everywhere, it is an irony that the implementation of  environment laws at the places where poor workers do the duties in extremely harsh conditions is nearly totally ignored.

Shri M S Bhatia – Organising Secretary said that we should go in for renewable energy resources which are in abundance in our country rather than nuclear energy which is neither safe nor economical.. We should adopt all the measures for energy conservation for sustainable development. He further cautioned that global warming occurring as a result of large number of gases accumulating in the atmosphere is a pointer to it.

Dr Rajinder Pal Singh Aulukh – Agricultural Development Officer cautioned against burning of wheat and paddy straw.

Mrs. Gurcharan Kochar – President Punjab Istri Sabha Ludhiana highlighted the role of women in promoting healthy environment.

Dr Manoj Kumar Sobti – Former President IMA Punjab and Dr Deepak Prashar – General Secretary IMA Ludhiana greeted the function.

Shri Manjeet Singh Zonal Commissioner – Municipal Corporation Ludhiana Chief Guest at the function said that without the cooperation of the people the MC will not be able to meet the environmental aspirations. He assured of forwarding the demand for effective revival of Satluj Action Plan, citizens monitoring committee and Paryavaran Vahini to the concerned appropriate authorities.

Shri Ranjit Singh, Vice President of the Jatha organized a quiz competition on environment and gave prizes to the winners.

Shri Amrik Singh Talwandi and Shri Surinder Kumar recited poems on the environment. The Bee Hive cultural group presented a street play on environment.

Others who addressed and participated in organizing the event include Shri Krishan Lal Malik, Shri Pardeep Sharma, Shri Zileram Bansal, Shri D P Maur, Shri Amritpal Singh, Sohan Singh, Agyadass, Swaroop Singh, Anod Kumar, Shamsunder, Anil Kumar, Dr Gurpreet Rattan.

Winner child will be awarded Rs 51,000/

Grand Finale on 15th June 2014

Ludhiana: (Punjab Screen Bureau):
Battle of Dance by Health and Creative Club attracting, preparing and presenting children with their art skill. Semifinal took place on 1st June and now all eyes on Grand Finale which is scheduled in Nehru Sidhant kendra on 15th June 2014. Semi final held under the dynamic leadership of Shanu Sharma.
First season was glorified by Deepak Raja-A famous standup comedian of silver screen. This season bunch of eminent people like Sudhama Menz (Assistant of Saroj Khan), Rak Kc (Choreographer of Punjabi Movie) and Shri Kant (Assistant of Master Remo) participated as judges of the show. Semi final judges were Miss Vibha (DAV School), Ruchi Kamboj (DAV School), Raj Kumar (BVM School), Mr. Hiten (Satpal Mittal school) and Mr. Sam(ryan International school).
Children from DAV public school, KVM public school, Samrock school and Ryan International school participated in the show. Winner will be awarded Rs 51,000/- in Grand Finale.

THAILAND: Junta summons additional HR defenders

Sun, Jun 1, 2014 at 8:54 PM

A statement by the Asian Human Rights Commission 

Junta also summons activists, academics, and journalists

At approximately 9 pm on 1 June 2014, the National Council on Peace and Order Maintenance Council (NPCO) issued Orders No. 42-44/2014 broadcast on the radio and television demanding that 38 persons report themselves to the Jamjuree Room at the Army Club on Thewet Road between 10 am and noon on 1 June 2014. Similar to earlier orders, the penalty for not obeying the summons carries a maximum prison term and a 40,000 baht fine.

The list includes a number of human rights defenders, activists, academics, and journalists. Jittra Kotchadet is a long-time labour rights activist and human rights defender. Tewarit Maneechay is a human rights defender and journalist for the independent media site Prachatai. Suthachai Yimprasert, a historian at Chulalongkorn University, and Kengkij Kitirianglarp, a political scientist at Chiang Mai University, are two academics who have consistently acted in support of human rights. Pranee Danwattananusorn is the wife of Surachai Danwattananusorn, a former political prisoner, and she has worked to support and defend the rights of political prisoners and human rights defenders. Karom Phonpornklang is a lawyer who has defended numerous political prisoners. The full lists are as follows: 

Order No. 42/2557:
1.Mr. Karom Phonpornklang
2. Mr. Ruangkrai Likhitwattana

Order No. 43/2557
1. Police Colonel Narit Sawaengjit
2. Mrs. Noi Daengpao
3. Miss Karin Prachan
4. Mr. Sittichai Kittinaesaworn
5. Mr. Praphat Chongsongwon
6. Mr. Chakraphan Yomchinda
7. Mr. Banyat Yenjaichuay
8. Mr. Narongsak Plai-aram

Order No, 44/2557
1. Mr. Suthachai Yimprasert
2. Mr. Kengkij Kitirianglarp
3. Mr. Ratchaphong Ochaphong
4. Mr. Tewarit Maneechay
5. Ms. Ulairat Chuduang
6. Mr. Amarin Sairam
7. Mr. Niphon Phadungsilpphairot
8. Mrs. Pranee Danwattananusorn
9. Mr. Kittisak Sujittharom
10. Ms. Jittra Cotchadet
11. Mrs. Salilthip Na Phattalung
12. Mr. Suwat Lambutr
13. Mr. Seriphap Sunthornchaiphak
14. Mr. Pritnarinthorn Thonburiboonsuk
15. Mr. Sarawut Phuthornyothin
16. Mr. Wanchai Chongcharoonhiran
17. Mr. Thanaporn Sriyakul
18. Mr. Pruek Prueksunan
19. Mr. Phiphat Phansuwan
20. Mrs. Yuphin Kongchandee
21. Mr. Chalieo Chankied
22. Mr. Sriphop Kornarut
23. Mr. Ekaraj Netradee
24. Mr. Panya Surakhamchornroj
25. Mr. Wanchaloem Satsaksit
26. Mr. Thanat Srinithikosit
27. No. Oo. Surapol Nawamawat
28. Mr. Kothawut Buraphitak

The Asian Human Rights Commission would like to reiterate that the use of public broadcast media to issue wide-ranging summons to citizens functions as a form of terror. Human rights defenders, activists, academics, writers, and other citizens do not know when they will hear their name announced and when they will have to turn themselves over to the authorities.

The order for citizens to report themselves represents a violation of the Government of Thailand’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Thailand is a State Party, notably article 9, and specifically that, “1. Everyone has the right to liberty and security of person. No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention. No one shall be deprived of his liberty except on such grounds and in accordance with such procedure as are established by law. 2. Anyone who is arrested shall be informed, at the time of arrest, of the reasons for his arrest and shall be promptly informed of any charges against him. 3. Anyone arrested or detained on a criminal charge shall be brought promptly before a judge or other officer authorized by law to exercise judicial power and shall be entitled to trial within a reasonable time or to release...”

Detention of those ordered to report under these three orders of the junta is a clear case of arbitrary detention. Those on the lists have not been formally charged with any alleged crimes. If the junta has evidence that those in detention have committed wrongdoing, then they should be formally charged through the judicial system and using the Criminal Code.

While the junta has made reassurances that those who report themselves will not be mistreated, within the context of martial law and rule by the junta, this reassurance carries no weight. Citizens are subject to up to seven days of detention without the authorities having to provide evidence of wrongdoing or bring formal charges. Detainees can be held at irregular places of detention, including permanent or temporary military bases or other sites designated as places of detention. Detention in irregular places means that the possibility for rights violations, including torture, forced disappearance and extrajudicial execution is greatly increased. Those who have been released from detention have been forced to sign a statement asserting that they were not coerced, beaten, tortured, or otherwise harmed during the detention. They may not attend political meetings, participate in political movements, or leave the country without permission of the junta chief, General Prayuth Chan-ocha. The penalty for violating these conditions is the same as the penalty for not responding to a summons: up to two years in prison and/or a 40,000 baht fine.

The Asian Human Rights Commission unequivocally condemns the coup in the harshest terms and wishes to express grave concern about the rapid decline of human rights protections it has engendered. The AHRC calls on the National Council for Peace and Order Maintenance Council to immediately release all citizens being arbitrarily detained without charge and to cease creating public terror by issuing blanket summons to report to the military.

Pranee Danwattananusorn; Photo credit is VoiceTV

Jittra Kotchadet; Photo cretid Bangkok Post

Tewarit Maneechai ;Photo credit is his Twitter feed

Kengkij Kitirianglarp: Photo source is Matichon TV

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About AHRC: The Asian Human Rights Commission is a regional non-governmental organisation that monitors human rights in Asia, documents violations and advocates for justice and institutional reform to ensure the protection and promotion of these rights. The Hong Kong-based group was founded in 1984.

Learn to lead program continued

Sun, Jun 1, 2014 at 12:29 PM
More Scholarship Certificates given to more students 

Ludhiana: 1st June 2014: (Punjab Screen Bureau): 
UEI Global College, Ludhiana  organised the Learn to Lead  Scholarship Test, 2014 to award its Scholarships & Scholarship Certificates to students who have appeared or passed  Class 12th board exams, with interest in professional &  job oriented  courses in  Hotel Management & BBA. 

The event was presided by Mr. Navneet Chitkara,  Director  UEI Global College, Ludhiana & Cash prizes were given under the Learn to lead program  & Scholarships worth Rs.6.35 lacs were given in Various Hotel Management & BBA courses in UEI Global, were given under the Kapil Dev Scholarship Program by the Kapil Dev  Foundation to 35 students. This was followed by a presentation by Mr. Navneet Chitkara  on the importance of  professional courses in changing the employability scenario of the youth of our country. 

On the occasion Mr. Navneet Chitkara Director,  Ludhiana  said, “UEI Global – India’s leading Management Institute with 16 campuses across India, is proud to announce and bring the nationwide campaign   “Learn to Lead”. The campaign “Learn to Lead” through 3,000 volunteers will cover 25,000 schools to reach 5,000,000 students across the nation. This initiative is to connect with the students currently studying in XIIth standard, aspiring for professional courses. Through this campaign they will be able to understand the significance of experiential learning”.  

Mr Rahul Sharma,Course Co-ordinator cum Trainer UEI Global Ludhiana also said, “It is just the Fourth phase of the “Learn to Lead” campaign & more cash prizes and scholarships would be awarded till September. Mr Sukhpreet Singh, Jagdev Singh, Sandeep Bansal, Gaurav, Jagdeep Singh, Mis. Harpreet Kaur, Suneeta, Taranjeet Kaur & Many More students  dev who got scholarships in the range of Rs 5000-30000.

On this occasion, Fairy Sharma, student of UEI Global, pursuing Hotel Management course got selected through scholarship programme said, “I am Glad & thanks to our Director Mr. Navneet Chitkara who guided me & my parents towards Importance of Professional Course like HM  for my future  prospectus. I am Happy & Satisfied.

The other students were also delighted to get the scholarships and wanted their friends also to get the benefit of Kapil Dev Scholarship.