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Tension over move to demolish jhuggis
Dwellers given time for settlement
Ludhiana, December 11
Tension prevailed in Rajiv Gandhi Colony along side a railway line for over five hours over the move of the Railways, Railway Police and the Punjab Police to demolish hundreds of illegal concrete structures and thatched huts on both sides of railway tracks.

The scene of a dharna near Rajiv Colony along the railway tracks in Focal Point, Ludhiana, on Tuesday. — Photo Inderjeet Verma

2 MC inspectors suspended
Crackdown on erring officials
Ludhiana, December 11
In a move, aimed at sending a clear message to the Municipal Corporation employees that the administration would come down heavily on them if they were found wanting in performance of their duty, two inspectors in the building branch of the civic body were placed under suspension, another was recommended for a similar action, while the state government has been asked to charge sheet at least four Assistant Town Planners (ATPs) and the erstwhile Municipal Town Planners (MTPs) for various irregularities and violation of the building bylaws.

3 held in bank robbery case
Jagraon, December 11
Sukhwinder Singh, alias Sukha, Pargat Singh and Jaswant Singh have been arrested by the Jagraon police in connection with a case registered in March this year u/s 392/34, IPC, and the Arms Act.

Cops ‘fleecing’ Railways
Ludhiana, December 11
Yesterday, as the Malwa Express train-9368 from Jammu Tawi to Indore came to a halt at platform No 3 of the local railway station at about 1.15 pm, a large number of passengers got down and made for the exit while those wanting to get on it started winding through the rush.

112 cops promoted

Minor sodomised

LUDHIANA CALLING Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann is known for his straightforwardness. He is one of the few politicians who sticks to what he says, even if it leads to some controversy. But sometimes such situations arise when you cannot even own what you had said. Birthday bash The bandmasters Dry spell blues Child killer at large The lucky 95 Green chillies

COMMUNITY

Staff to take part in Dec 18 stir
Ludhiana, December 11
Punjab State Electricity Board employees would participate in the proposed nationwide strike on December 18 to register their protest against the proposed Electricity Bill, 2001.

SAD Ludhiana units meet CM today
Ludhiana, December 11
A crucial meeting of the Ludhiana rural and urban units of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) is being held at Chandigarh tomorrow at the Chief Minister’s residence. The meeting will be presided over by the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal. It is expected to review the political and development activities in the district where the partyworkers and government officials would come face to face with the Chief Minister.

‘Revision of history should not be politicised’
Ludhiana, December 11
Local residents think that there is a need to review history in the light of correct facts, and let the public evaluate what actually happened and who was responsible for this. Some of them opine that the history has been written according to the wishes of foreign rulers who have distorted many facts for maintaining their supremacy and justifying their regime in India.

‘Repeal graduation clause for elections’ 
Ludhiana, December 11
A large section of the Satluj Club members is irked over the eligibility norms for contesting the elections for the posts of various office-bearers. In 1998, the Satluj Club amended its constitution, making a university degree mandatory for contesting elections.

Homage paid to Ashok Kumar
Ludhiana, December 11
The grand old man of Indian screen, Ashok Kumar, belonged to the nation as he had impressed the cinegoers with his sincerity of performances in his unforgettable movies like “Gumrah”, “Bandini”, “Victoria No 203”.

Cobbler crushed by car
Ludhiana, December 11
In a freak accident, a cobbler, running his business under a tree, near Kailash Cinema Chowk, was crushed by a Maruti car, today late afternoon. The cobler was working when the car ran over him and hit the tree.

The site of an accident where a cobbler was crushed to death by a car in Ludhiana on Tuesday. — IV

CRIME

Drug smuggler arrested
Ludhiana, December 11
In a significant success against drug-peddlers, the Focal Point police has arrested a smuggler, who used to bring opium from Madhya Pradesh to Punjab and sell it through local distributors. The arrest has revealed that the smugglers were not only indulging in illegal business but were cheating the opium takers as well by supplying them impure opium, and that, too, on high rates.

Two killed, two injured in accidents
Doraha, December 11
Two persons were killed and two injured in different accidents that took place during the past 24 hours in Sahnewal and Doraha.

Two booked for kidnapping minor
Ludhiana, December 11
The Division No 3 police has registered a case of kidnapping under Sections 363, 366 and 120-B of the IPC on the statement of Ms Manju, a resident of Chauri Sarak, Ludhiana, against Gorav and Bittu , both residents of Purana Bazar. The complainant had stated to the police yesterday that both the accused had kidnapped her daughter, Savita (17). No arrest has been made so far.

AGRICULTURE

Arhtias protest non-payment for paddy
Jagraon, December 11
The members of the local Arhtia Association organised a procession in protest against the non-payment of the sum of paddy, which amounted to Rs 9 crore.

Training on farm machinery concludes
Ludhiana, December 11
The Department of Farm Power and Machinery, Punjab Agricultural University, organised a two-day training programme for progressive manufacturers on “Manufacturing technology for improved agricultural implements” that concluded here today. The training was organised under the ICAR-NATP project on “Prototype manufacturing of agricultural implements.”

Manufacturers participate in a training workshop on machinery in Ludhiana on Tuesday. — IV

EDUCATION

CPI supports demands of teachers
Ludhiana, December 11
A meeting of the executive committee of the local CPI unit was held under the presidentship of Dr Arun Mitra.

COURTS

Forum rejects PSEB plea
Ludhiana, December 11
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) to refund Rs 13,400 deposited by the Dussera Committee, Upakar Nagar. The forum has also directed to pay interest on the said amount from the date of deposit till actual payment at the rate of 12 per cent per annum along with Rs 500 as cost of litigation.

CULTURE

The dying culture of Punjab

Ludhiana, December 11 Gone are the days when the sons and daughters-in-law in Punjab used to get up early in the morning to offer respects to their parents. Now people, more so those belonging to the younger generation, start their day with ‘hello’ and ‘hi’.

The disappearing Punjabi ‘juttis’ and colourful ‘parandas’, a part of the tradition and culture of Punjab. — IV

MC removes temporary structures around temple
Ludhiana, December 11
As part of operation clean-up, the Municipal Corporation staff today removed a number of flower stalls and temporary structures in front of Durga Mata Mandir here. The MC had cleared a few kiosks and a ‘jora ghar’ on the other side of the road in front of the temple about a fortnight ago to reduce congestion and improve the flow of traffic on the busy stretch of road from the Jagraon bridge turning to Fountain Chowk.

Heaps of flowers, littered on the ground after a number of flower stalls and temporary structures, outside Durga Mata Mandir, were razed by the MC staff in Ludhiana on Tuesday. — RB