Special Correspondent
AHMEDABAD: A series of earthquakes, with their epicentre at Sasan Gir, the administrative headquarters of the Gir forest, rocked several parts of Gujarat on Tuesday.
Houses collapse
According to information reaching here, the first tremor, of magnitude 4.8, was felt in the Gir region at 5.57 a.m. About 30 houses collapsed in Hiranvel, Haripura, Chitrawada and other villages in the forest area.
A 70-year-old woman died in a wall collapse at Hiranvel while seven others were injured.
After-shocks
At least 20 after-shocks were felt in several parts of the State, including Ahmedabad. One had a magnitude of 4.9. The people in most cities and towns in the Saurashtra region came out of their houses but no loss of lives and property were reported. A relief camp has been opened at Sasan, a government spokesman said.
Source: http://www.hindu.com/2007/11/07/stories/2007110762831700.htm
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Junagadh quake: GSDMA swings into relief action
Express news service
Posted online: Wednesday, November 07, 2007 at 12:00:00
Updated: Wednesday, November 07, 2007 at 02:37:44Print Email To Editor
Gandhinagar, November 6 THE Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority (GSDMA) supported by the Institute of Seismological Research (ISR) has swung into action following reports of the earthquake measuring 5.0 on Richter scale that rocked some villages in Junagadh district on Tuesday, claiming the life of an old woman, causing injuries to four persons and damages to several houses in the area.
In a swift response to the quake, the GSDMA has rushed relief teams to the affected villages where temporary shelters are being set up for the quake victims. The Hiranvel village in Talala taluka is reported to be the worst-hit, where about 50 houses have collapsed, causing the death of a 78-year-old woman due to the head injury and minor injuries to four other persons in the village.
GSDMA CEO Rajesh Kishore told this newspaper here this evening that the Forest Department’s buildings in Sasan, Amrutvel and Chitravad villages located within the Gir lion sanctuary had also developed cracks due to the impact of the earthquake. Teams of the Roads and Building, Heatlh and Revenue Departments are also being rushed to the affected villages to help the local authorities.
Kishore said the epicentre of the quake was recorded at the Khakrawada village in Talala taluka of Junagadh district. The first quake measuring 4.7 on the Richter scale was reported at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, and later another measuring 5.0 on the Richter scale at 3.10 p.m. “The lineament or the satellite images showing the linear topographic features of south Saurashtra region is not clear yet, as also there are no fault lines identified still,” he said.
The GSDMA official said the pressure built up the underline rock and soil structure due to rising of ground water table following heavy rains in the region in the last monsoon could be one of the main reasons for the earthquake. During the current year, there was no major tremors reported in this area, barring some low intensity shocks numbering around 20 reported in October last.
When contacted, Director of ISR B K Rastogi said a team of seismologists attached to the Institute was being dispatched to the affected villages to assess the situation arising out of the quake. A network of digital seismo meters is already in place in the entire Saurashtra and Kutch region, with two such devices already installed in Junagadh district. “We are closely monitoring the situation there,” he said, adding that people need not panic due to the quake in this area.
Source: http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Junagadh-quake-GSDMA-swings-into-relief-action/237042/
Posted online: Wednesday, November 07, 2007 at 12:00:00
Updated: Wednesday, November 07, 2007 at 02:37:44Print Email To Editor
Gandhinagar, November 6 THE Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority (GSDMA) supported by the Institute of Seismological Research (ISR) has swung into action following reports of the earthquake measuring 5.0 on Richter scale that rocked some villages in Junagadh district on Tuesday, claiming the life of an old woman, causing injuries to four persons and damages to several houses in the area.
In a swift response to the quake, the GSDMA has rushed relief teams to the affected villages where temporary shelters are being set up for the quake victims. The Hiranvel village in Talala taluka is reported to be the worst-hit, where about 50 houses have collapsed, causing the death of a 78-year-old woman due to the head injury and minor injuries to four other persons in the village.
GSDMA CEO Rajesh Kishore told this newspaper here this evening that the Forest Department’s buildings in Sasan, Amrutvel and Chitravad villages located within the Gir lion sanctuary had also developed cracks due to the impact of the earthquake. Teams of the Roads and Building, Heatlh and Revenue Departments are also being rushed to the affected villages to help the local authorities.
Kishore said the epicentre of the quake was recorded at the Khakrawada village in Talala taluka of Junagadh district. The first quake measuring 4.7 on the Richter scale was reported at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, and later another measuring 5.0 on the Richter scale at 3.10 p.m. “The lineament or the satellite images showing the linear topographic features of south Saurashtra region is not clear yet, as also there are no fault lines identified still,” he said.
The GSDMA official said the pressure built up the underline rock and soil structure due to rising of ground water table following heavy rains in the region in the last monsoon could be one of the main reasons for the earthquake. During the current year, there was no major tremors reported in this area, barring some low intensity shocks numbering around 20 reported in October last.
When contacted, Director of ISR B K Rastogi said a team of seismologists attached to the Institute was being dispatched to the affected villages to assess the situation arising out of the quake. A network of digital seismo meters is already in place in the entire Saurashtra and Kutch region, with two such devices already installed in Junagadh district. “We are closely monitoring the situation there,” he said, adding that people need not panic due to the quake in this area.
Source: http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Junagadh-quake-GSDMA-swings-into-relief-action/237042/
Quakes rock Junagadh, one killed, over 200 houses damaged
Sibte Hussaqin Bukhari
Posted online: Wednesday, November 07, 2007 at 12:00:00
Updated: Wednesday, November 07, 2007 at 01:53:25Print Email To Editor
Junagadh, November 6 Two tremors of 4.5 and 4.9 on the Richter scale rocked Junagadh district at 5.57 am, and then again at 3.08 pm on Tuesday, leading to the loss of one life and damage to about 200 houses. Panic spread in the district even as power supply was disrupted and telecommunication lines were jammed for several hours. According to Indian Meteorological department the epicentre of both these tremors was in the Sasan Gir forest.
A woman in Hiranwel village of Talala taluka died after she was buried under the debris of her house. With over 200 houses being damaged in the three villages of Hiranwel, Chitrawad and Haripur in Talala taluka ,over a dozen people are reported to have received minor injures.
Medical Officer at Talala Community Health Centre Jagatsinh Anadkat has confirmed the death of one woman in the quake. "An old woman was fatally wounded after she was buried under the debris of her house. We have also administered first aid to about dozen injured people," he said.
Junagadh District Collector Aswini Kumar said the epicenter of the second tremor was at Khakharvel village, some 5 km from Sasan Gir. He has dispatched six teams to the villages for a damage survey.
Deputy Sarpanch of Chitrawad village, Ismailbhai Makrani said, "Though two families of the Siddhi tribe were buried under the debris, most members had a narrow escape. A father-son duo has, however, been seriously injured. Dozens of houses in the village have been badly damaged while half-a-dozen houses have been razed to the ground. Villagers now refuse to stay inside their houses."
Apart from Talala taluka, tremors were also reported from the other talukas of Junagadh district.
Districts other than Junagadh that experienced tremors were Porbandar, Amreli and Rajkot .While there were reports of damage to some houses in Porbandar and Amreli districts, no casualty has been reported as of yet. People in Rajkot rushed out of their houses as tremors shook the city. "We were on the first floor when we experienced some movements. Though it was only for a few seconds, but it appeared to be very strong," said Jaykumar Pandya, a resident of Alka Society on15-feet Ring Road in Rajkot.
Source: http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Quakes-rock-Junagadh-one-killed-over-200-houses-damaged/237020/
Posted online: Wednesday, November 07, 2007 at 12:00:00
Updated: Wednesday, November 07, 2007 at 01:53:25Print Email To Editor
Junagadh, November 6 Two tremors of 4.5 and 4.9 on the Richter scale rocked Junagadh district at 5.57 am, and then again at 3.08 pm on Tuesday, leading to the loss of one life and damage to about 200 houses. Panic spread in the district even as power supply was disrupted and telecommunication lines were jammed for several hours. According to Indian Meteorological department the epicentre of both these tremors was in the Sasan Gir forest.
A woman in Hiranwel village of Talala taluka died after she was buried under the debris of her house. With over 200 houses being damaged in the three villages of Hiranwel, Chitrawad and Haripur in Talala taluka ,over a dozen people are reported to have received minor injures.
Medical Officer at Talala Community Health Centre Jagatsinh Anadkat has confirmed the death of one woman in the quake. "An old woman was fatally wounded after she was buried under the debris of her house. We have also administered first aid to about dozen injured people," he said.
Junagadh District Collector Aswini Kumar said the epicenter of the second tremor was at Khakharvel village, some 5 km from Sasan Gir. He has dispatched six teams to the villages for a damage survey.
Deputy Sarpanch of Chitrawad village, Ismailbhai Makrani said, "Though two families of the Siddhi tribe were buried under the debris, most members had a narrow escape. A father-son duo has, however, been seriously injured. Dozens of houses in the village have been badly damaged while half-a-dozen houses have been razed to the ground. Villagers now refuse to stay inside their houses."
Apart from Talala taluka, tremors were also reported from the other talukas of Junagadh district.
Districts other than Junagadh that experienced tremors were Porbandar, Amreli and Rajkot .While there were reports of damage to some houses in Porbandar and Amreli districts, no casualty has been reported as of yet. People in Rajkot rushed out of their houses as tremors shook the city. "We were on the first floor when we experienced some movements. Though it was only for a few seconds, but it appeared to be very strong," said Jaykumar Pandya, a resident of Alka Society on15-feet Ring Road in Rajkot.
Source: http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Quakes-rock-Junagadh-one-killed-over-200-houses-damaged/237020/
Monday, November 5, 2007
15 months after lion’s death, 1 held.
SIBTE HUSAIN BUKHARI
Posted online: Friday , November 02, 2007 at 12:00:00
Updated: Friday , November 02, 2007 at 02:52:53Print Email To Editor
Junagadh, November 1 Fifteen months after a lion’s carcass was tied with a big stone and thrown into Vrijmi dam near Dhari in Amreli district, forest officials have arrested one person in the case. The lion had died after coming in contact with an electrified fence and the person responsible for it had thrown its carcass in an attempt to destroy the evidence.
On October 19 this year, five lions were electrocuted on the outskirts of Prempara village near Dhari under Gir East Forest Division.
The court has permitted the Forest Department to subject the accused to narco analysis to ascertain the truth.
According to details, the carcass of a lion was found floating in the waters of Vrijmi dam on the outskirts of Amrapur (Gir) village in Malia-Hatine taluka of Junagadh district in July last year. Though officials suspected foul play in the incident, they could not ascertain the exact reason behind the death,
In the 15 months of investigations in the case, officials said there are at least six people — all family members of Amrapur’s woman sarpanch—¿ involved in the crime.
Range Forest Officer (Malia-Hatina) L V Chavda said while one person had been arrested, they were looking for the other five.
According to Chavda, the accused have been identified as Daya Lakhman, Manji Lakha, his brothers Rava and Dhiru, and two sons Sanjay and Bhikha.
Only Daya Lakhman has been arrested and booked under Rule 9 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
While Lakhman confessed to the crime, he also revealed the names of the other accused.
According to sources, the accused persons are family members of sarpanch Kanchanben, who is the wife of prime accused Manji Lakha. Manji is also an elected member of Malia-Hatina taluka panchayat. “Five accused are still at large, but we will nab them within a day or two,” Chavda added.
Source: http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/15-months-after-lions-death-1-held/235109/
Posted online: Friday , November 02, 2007 at 12:00:00
Updated: Friday , November 02, 2007 at 02:52:53Print Email To Editor
Junagadh, November 1 Fifteen months after a lion’s carcass was tied with a big stone and thrown into Vrijmi dam near Dhari in Amreli district, forest officials have arrested one person in the case. The lion had died after coming in contact with an electrified fence and the person responsible for it had thrown its carcass in an attempt to destroy the evidence.
On October 19 this year, five lions were electrocuted on the outskirts of Prempara village near Dhari under Gir East Forest Division.
The court has permitted the Forest Department to subject the accused to narco analysis to ascertain the truth.
According to details, the carcass of a lion was found floating in the waters of Vrijmi dam on the outskirts of Amrapur (Gir) village in Malia-Hatine taluka of Junagadh district in July last year. Though officials suspected foul play in the incident, they could not ascertain the exact reason behind the death,
In the 15 months of investigations in the case, officials said there are at least six people — all family members of Amrapur’s woman sarpanch—¿ involved in the crime.
Range Forest Officer (Malia-Hatina) L V Chavda said while one person had been arrested, they were looking for the other five.
According to Chavda, the accused have been identified as Daya Lakhman, Manji Lakha, his brothers Rava and Dhiru, and two sons Sanjay and Bhikha.
Only Daya Lakhman has been arrested and booked under Rule 9 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
While Lakhman confessed to the crime, he also revealed the names of the other accused.
According to sources, the accused persons are family members of sarpanch Kanchanben, who is the wife of prime accused Manji Lakha. Manji is also an elected member of Malia-Hatina taluka panchayat. “Five accused are still at large, but we will nab them within a day or two,” Chavda added.
Source: http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/15-months-after-lions-death-1-held/235109/
Lion’s death: Seven more arrested.
Sibte Hussaqin Bukhari
Posted online: Monday , November 05, 2007 at 12:00:00
Updated: Monday , November 05, 2007 at 02:03:35Print Email To Editor
Junagadh, November 4 Forest officials have arrested seven more persons in connection with the death of a lion by electrocution in July 2006. The officials had arrested one person on November 1 and were looking for the other accused.
The accused had tied the carcass of the lion with a big stone and thrown it into Vrijmi dam on the outskirts of Amarapur (Gir) village near Malia-Hatina town in Junagadh district in July 2002. The seven were arrested on Sunday on the basis of the deatils revealed by Daya Lakshman arrested earlier.
Range Forest Officer (Malia-Hatina) L V Chavda said, "The seven accused will be produced before the court of judicial magistrate on Monday. All the accused have confessed to their crime and told us about their roles in the electrocution of the lion and the subsequent throwing of the carcass into the dam water.'' He said that the statements of the accused had been registered and that they would seek 15-day remand for them.
The seven accused are Manji Lakha, his brothers Ravji and Dhiru, sons Bhikha and Sanjay, and two others_ Bharat Daya and Kishor Kala. Manji is the husband of Amarapur sarpanch Kanchanben and he is also the BJP's elected member of Malia-Hatina taluka panchayat.
In connection with the October 19 incident in which the carasses of five lions were recovered from the outskirts of Prempara village near Dhari in Amreli district, the four accused have been sent on judicial custody. The Judicial Magistrate (First Class) court of Dhari had rejected their bail application.
Later, on Friday, two of the accused _Ravji Hirani and Bhala Parmar_ approached the court at Rajula but this court also rejected their bail application. In the Rajula court, another application requesting a stay on the Dhari court order on narca-analysis for the prime accused is pending.
Deputy Conservator of Forest (Gir East) J S Solanki said, "Now, prime accused Durlabhji Vadodaria has approached Rajula court and demanded a stay on his narco-analysis. Hearing for the same has been fixed on November 6.''
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) has said that they will hold agitation against forest department from November 9 highlighting the issue of deaths of lions and also undue harassment of farmers by officials. The BKS units at Dhari, Khambha, and Talala have already submitted memorandums to range forest offices in this connection.
The memorandum reads: "The forest department has failed to provide adequate safety and security to the lions. We demand that 15-feet high walls be built surrounding the entire Gir forest." The memorandum also alleged that forest officials were wrongfully harassing the farmers in connection with death of lions.
Source: http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Lions-death-Seven-more-arrested/236140/
Posted online: Monday , November 05, 2007 at 12:00:00
Updated: Monday , November 05, 2007 at 02:03:35Print Email To Editor
Junagadh, November 4 Forest officials have arrested seven more persons in connection with the death of a lion by electrocution in July 2006. The officials had arrested one person on November 1 and were looking for the other accused.
The accused had tied the carcass of the lion with a big stone and thrown it into Vrijmi dam on the outskirts of Amarapur (Gir) village near Malia-Hatina town in Junagadh district in July 2002. The seven were arrested on Sunday on the basis of the deatils revealed by Daya Lakshman arrested earlier.
Range Forest Officer (Malia-Hatina) L V Chavda said, "The seven accused will be produced before the court of judicial magistrate on Monday. All the accused have confessed to their crime and told us about their roles in the electrocution of the lion and the subsequent throwing of the carcass into the dam water.'' He said that the statements of the accused had been registered and that they would seek 15-day remand for them.
The seven accused are Manji Lakha, his brothers Ravji and Dhiru, sons Bhikha and Sanjay, and two others_ Bharat Daya and Kishor Kala. Manji is the husband of Amarapur sarpanch Kanchanben and he is also the BJP's elected member of Malia-Hatina taluka panchayat.
In connection with the October 19 incident in which the carasses of five lions were recovered from the outskirts of Prempara village near Dhari in Amreli district, the four accused have been sent on judicial custody. The Judicial Magistrate (First Class) court of Dhari had rejected their bail application.
Later, on Friday, two of the accused _Ravji Hirani and Bhala Parmar_ approached the court at Rajula but this court also rejected their bail application. In the Rajula court, another application requesting a stay on the Dhari court order on narca-analysis for the prime accused is pending.
Deputy Conservator of Forest (Gir East) J S Solanki said, "Now, prime accused Durlabhji Vadodaria has approached Rajula court and demanded a stay on his narco-analysis. Hearing for the same has been fixed on November 6.''
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) has said that they will hold agitation against forest department from November 9 highlighting the issue of deaths of lions and also undue harassment of farmers by officials. The BKS units at Dhari, Khambha, and Talala have already submitted memorandums to range forest offices in this connection.
The memorandum reads: "The forest department has failed to provide adequate safety and security to the lions. We demand that 15-feet high walls be built surrounding the entire Gir forest." The memorandum also alleged that forest officials were wrongfully harassing the farmers in connection with death of lions.
Source: http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Lions-death-Seven-more-arrested/236140/
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Lioness carcass found in Junagadh.
Times News Network
Rajkot: A carcass of a 10-year-old lioness was found near Jalandhar grassland in Maliya Hatina taluka of Junagadh district on Wednesday evening, according to official sources in state forest department. The sources said that the big cat died due to illness. Pus was found inside the neck during the postmortem. Farmers in the nearby sugarcan field had also seen the liness roaming around the crops, said a forest official.
The toll of lion death in and around Gir forest has already crossed 30 in the year 2007. There have been 16 unnatural deaths of the big cats including eight cases of the infamous poaching by a gang from Madhya Pradesh in March-April. Six became victims of elecrocution recently, one drowned in a n open well while another died in a road accident.
Such incidents have raised many eyebrows over the safety of endangered Asiatic Lions in the Gir Forest.
Even NGOs working for the protection of wildlife have shown concern ove the existence of lins in the area.
Source: The Times of India, Ahmedabad, Thurday, November 1, 2007 Page 3.
Rajkot: A carcass of a 10-year-old lioness was found near Jalandhar grassland in Maliya Hatina taluka of Junagadh district on Wednesday evening, according to official sources in state forest department. The sources said that the big cat died due to illness. Pus was found inside the neck during the postmortem. Farmers in the nearby sugarcan field had also seen the liness roaming around the crops, said a forest official.
The toll of lion death in and around Gir forest has already crossed 30 in the year 2007. There have been 16 unnatural deaths of the big cats including eight cases of the infamous poaching by a gang from Madhya Pradesh in March-April. Six became victims of elecrocution recently, one drowned in a n open well while another died in a road accident.
Such incidents have raised many eyebrows over the safety of endangered Asiatic Lions in the Gir Forest.
Even NGOs working for the protection of wildlife have shown concern ove the existence of lins in the area.
Source: The Times of India, Ahmedabad, Thurday, November 1, 2007 Page 3.
Roaming lion killed in Limpopo.
October 24, 2007, 20:30
Limpopo communal farmers have killed another lioness in the Giyani area, this time near Gawula village. Farmers' spokesperson Sevha Chauke says the lion was snared and trapped in the village kraal.
Chauke says it was apparently returning to finish off the carcass of a calf which it had killed the previous night.
At least seven lions have been killed so far since a group of the predators escaped from the northern Kruger National Park in the past few months.
The lions are believed to have killed around 50 cattle in the Gawula, Mahlathi and Muyexe villages since August.
Source:
Limpopo communal farmers have killed another lioness in the Giyani area, this time near Gawula village. Farmers' spokesperson Sevha Chauke says the lion was snared and trapped in the village kraal.
Chauke says it was apparently returning to finish off the carcass of a calf which it had killed the previous night.
At least seven lions have been killed so far since a group of the predators escaped from the northern Kruger National Park in the past few months.
The lions are believed to have killed around 50 cattle in the Gawula, Mahlathi and Muyexe villages since August.
Source:
Lion murder case goes to Appeal Court
Scott-Crossley has asked the Appeal Court to assess the credibility of witnesses
August 20, 2007, 07:30
The case of convicted killer, Mark Scott-Crossley, sentenced to life imprisonment for throwing a farm worker into a lion enclosure, comes before the Appeal Court in Bloemfontein today.
Scott-Crossley was sentenced in the Phalaborwa Circuit Court in Limpopo in September 2005 for the murder of Nelson Chisale. His defence argued that Chisale was already dead when he was thrown to the lions.
Scott-Crossley has asked the Appeal Court to assess the credibility of witnesses and to look at alleged irregularities during the trial.
Source: http://www.sabcnews.com/south_africa/crime1justice/0,2172,154372,00.html
August 20, 2007, 07:30
The case of convicted killer, Mark Scott-Crossley, sentenced to life imprisonment for throwing a farm worker into a lion enclosure, comes before the Appeal Court in Bloemfontein today.
Scott-Crossley was sentenced in the Phalaborwa Circuit Court in Limpopo in September 2005 for the murder of Nelson Chisale. His defence argued that Chisale was already dead when he was thrown to the lions.
Scott-Crossley has asked the Appeal Court to assess the credibility of witnesses and to look at alleged irregularities during the trial.
Source: http://www.sabcnews.com/south_africa/crime1justice/0,2172,154372,00.html
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