Himachal rains: Risk assessment of Shimla IIAS sought after landslide
Shimla (PTI): The landslide in the outer lawns of the Viceregal Lodge, presently housing the Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS) here, has raised concern about the safety of the 149-year old historic building.
The landslide in the Summer Hill here on August 14, which seemingly started from the periphery of the extended lawns of IIAS, uprooted tall deodar trees and swallowed a Shiv temple, claiming 17 lives.
Cracks developed in some portion of the IIAS complex and preventative steps have been taken but there is no danger to the historic building, Deputy Commissioner, Shimla, Aditya Negi told PTI.
"There is a possibility of landslide at IIAS which may cause loss of lives and property and we have written to the State geologist to conduct an inspection of the IIAS and immediately submit a report in this regard," he added.
Situated on Observatory hill, the Viceregal Lodge was constructed by flattening the hill and the debris was dumped on the slopes which settled over time.
The main building which was constructed in the early 1880s and was residence of Viceroy Lord Dufferin during 1884-1888, was on sound footing. The massive landslide was mainly the debris which had loosened and become ductile due to seepage.
After Independence, the lodge was named as "Rashtrapati Bhawan" because the President of India used to come and stay here during summer months.
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Bangladesh's interim govt revokes ousted PM Sheikh Hasina's passport
Dhaka, Jan 7: Bangladesh's interim government on Tuesday said it has revoked the passport of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 96 others over their alleged involvement in enforced disappearances and the July killings.
Hasina, 77, has been living in India since August 5 last year when she fled Bangladesh following a massive student-led protest that toppled her Awami League's (AL) 16-year regime.
Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has issued arrest warrants for Hasina and several former Cabinet ministers, advisers, and military and civil officials for “crimes against humanity and genocide”.
Addressing a press briefing here, Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder said, "The Passports Department cancelled passports of 22 people involved in enforced disappearances, while passports of 75 people, including Sheikh Hasina, were revoked due to their involvement in the July killings.”
He, however, did not reveal the names of the remaining individuals whose passports were cancelled, the state-run BSS news agency reported.
