SEX BEFORE MARRIAGE: LIVE-IN COUPLE KILLED BY NAXALS In JHARKHAND

RANCHI: Peoples' Liberation Front of India (PLFI) rebels on Saturday night killed an unmarried couple for maintaining a live-in relationship in Atheldih village, some 50km from here. The victims, Sanjay Purty and Itwari Oriya, were planning to marry next year. In January, the rebel outfit PLFI had killed seven persons for indulging in "immoral activities".

Khunti SP M Tamil Vanam confirmed that the couple was living together for the last two years even though they were not married. "An FIR was lodged against unknown assailants," said the SP. The police said: "They were keen to live their life as shown in movies. Blind to how the villagers look at their relationship, the couple was living in a separate room at a deserted locality in Atheldih village."

Locals said a group of PLFI guerrillas came to their village around midnight. "They warned of dire consequences and asked us not to venture out of our houses," the police quoted the villagers as saying. After warning the villagers, the men broke open the door of the couple's house and fired several rounds of bullets, killing the duo on the spot.

Purty, a 22-year-old farmer and a resident of the neighbouring Kowa village, had fallen in love with Oriya, 17, who hailed from Daugara, another village the vicinity two years ago. They started dating and their love affair became the talk of the town. Etho Panda Munda, father of Oriya, had initially opposed the advances of Purty but could do nothing.

The bodies have been sent for post-mortem. An investigation has been launched into the incident. "We are trying to know whether PLFI had given any warning to the couple's parents or not," said Vanam. It might also be that Purty had refused to join their ranks or had done something against PLFI's interests.

The PLFI guerrillas also allegedly killed one of their colleagues who apparently opposed this sort of moral policing. "A body has been recovered from a nearby jungle," said an officer at Murmu police station. "The victim might have opposed the moral act, for which he was killed," said Khunti SP. The body is yet to be identified. "The victim was wearing shoes and that shows he was a militant. "Villagers usually do not go into the forests wearing shoes," said the Khunti SP.

PLFI came into existence in July 2008, when a gang of criminals in rural Ranchi, adjoining Simdega and Gumla districts, adopted Maoist tactics to create terror. Initially, the group was known as Jharkhand Liberation Tigers (JLT) and the members of the group on several occasions were identified by police to have looted and killed innocent people. According to former Ranchi SSP M S Bhatia, who is now IG (Ranchi zone), one Dinesh Gope organised the veteran criminals and ex-Maoists to join his fold under the banner of JLT.


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TOP BUREAUCRATS IN JHARKHAND DON’T RETIRE

Ranchi: For top bureaucrats in Jharkhand, retirement is just the beginning of a new life. Their average age is around 65 but at heart they are 25. Former chief secretaries, development commissioners and other top babus who have got merit postings make up for their sagging skin and receding hairline with their enthusiasm and energy. Even after putting in eight to 10 hours in office daily, they are raring to go after retirement.

The secret behind their energy is perhaps a daily exercise schedule and positive thinking. Push-ups, reverse push-ups, jogging and various forms of exercise ensure there's never a dull moment in their lives. Most of them claim they have brought about a sea-change at their respective organisations. Most of them are also blog warriors, eager cooks and gardeners.

For former chief secretary of Jharkhand, Lakshmi Singh, age does not matter either. The 1970-batch Jharkhand cadre IAS is more comfortable working after retirement. Singh is the head of the Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC). "I find post retirement assignments more comfortable. I have more freedom of action, thought and speech. I need not wait for the approval of any minister to implement my idea for reforming the council," said Singh, who comes to office at 10 in the morning and leaves after 5 in the evening.

"I cook my own food," Singh, who retired as chief secretary of Jharkhand in August 2005, said. A healthy diet and regular physical activities have kept Singh healthy and hearty. At JAC, Singh, who headed the Jharkhand State Women's Commission after retirement, conducts exams for lakhs of students. She also has to her credit a long list of achievements and reforms at JAC.

Years have added wrinkles to Singh's face, but her soul is as fresh as it was the day she joined the IAS. "I am ready to accept more responsibility after retiring as JAC chairperson," said Singh, whose tenure ends next month.

Mukhtiar Singh, 64, is the big boss of the Jharkhand Electricity Regulatory Commission. "If we forget our goals and principles we become old. The number of years can never make one old," said the 1976 batch Jharkhand cadre IAS officer.

Singh retired as Development Commissioner of Jharkhand in December 2007. Singh is a stickler for rules. "Whatever is the weather; I get up at 5 in the morning and then go for a walk. Rain, sunshine, cold, nothing stops me. I go for a walk in every season," he said.

At JSEC, Singh's achievements are many. "If your purpose of living is clear you will never grow old. Help those in need and your passing years will work as tonic for you,” he also said.

Former chief secretary of Jharkhand, Shiv Basant is another example of youth in middle age. The 1976 batch IAS officer served as chairman of the Jharkhand State Electricity Board and is now chairman of the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC).

"Age is how you see it. If you think you are ageing, you will feel old," said Basant. Healthy and punctual to office, Basant has initiated many reforms at JPSC.

The 69-year-old Narendra Bhagat, a 1975 batch IAS officer, is working to revive the Jharkhand State Education Tribunal (JSET). A regular blogger, he said, "I never think I am losing my youth." Bhagat practises yoga regularly.

These youthful old babus are guiding a young state as the Jharkhand government has always been keen to provide merit postings to retired babus. Former chief secretary, M K Mandal, and retired IAS officer, BB Lal, have served as commissioner in JSEC. Former secretary in the Revenue Department A C Ranjan has served as member of JSET. IAS officer J L Baishyantri was made consultant in the Income Tax department after she retired. Secretary in the water resources department, she was appointed chairperson of the Public Distribution Grievances Commission.

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