Ludhiana, February 4
Greed for fast money allegedly led a man to team with two notorious criminals and kidnap his three-year-old nephew for a ransom of Rs 1 lakh with the motive of killing him later.

The Salem Tabri police, however, proved smarter than the alleged criminals and rescued the boy from their clutches this evening. The main accused, Ramu Shad, was arrested by one of the several teams formed to rescue the child from Dhandari.

The other two accused, Naresh, and the third unidentified accomplice have absconded. Naresh was released from the central jail two weeks ago. He was reportedly a member of a notorious gang which drugged and looted passengers on buses and trains.

The SHO, Salem Tabri police, SI Gurbans Singh Bains, said the police began to suspect the role of the Ramu Shad when the kidnappers gave him a call at a PCO booth near his house. The police was baffled as to why the kidnappers would call him when they were already in touch the with kidnapped boys’ family. Ramu later told the police that they had planned this to further pressurise the family to pay ransom.

Mr Bains said the kidnappers had planned to kill the boy as he had seen Ramu with the kidnappers and could have spilled the beans. The wife of Ramu is the sister of Bablu, the kidnapped boy’s father.

They hatched a conspiracy after Naresh was recently released from jail and had talked about his poor finances to his friend, Ramu. He had also discussed his plan to kidnap a child for ransom. Ramu had allegedly told him about his nephew, stating that his mother had a lot of money and would pay readily for her son.

The police was able to crack the case when Ramu got a call at a PCO in the neighbourhood from the kidnappers. The PCO owner told this to the police.

The police put up a caller ID at the boy’s house and traced the call to Khanna. It sent a party to Khanna too. Interestingly, while the kidnappers were calling from Khanna they were claiming that they were calling from Delhi and would collect the money there.

Meanwhile the boy was kept at Dhandhari and was rescued from there.

Ludhiana, February 4
In a mysterious incident, valuables worth Rs 6 lakh, besides a revolver, 20-odd live cartridges and several cheques went missing from the house of a brass trader in Model Town Extension within the past two days.

Though the houseowner, Mr Sunil Varmani, who runs Bombay Brass House shop near Gill road, reported the matter to the Model Town police today, he claimed that the theft probably took place two days ago when he and his family members had gone to the aid of a relative whose car had
accidentally caught
fire in an adjoining
house.

Model Town SHO Rajesh Kumar said the police has registered a case of theft, but the manner in which the incident had reportedly occurred was intriguing.

Mr Sunil Varmani complained that two days ago, a car of his relative in their neighbhouring house caught fire. He along with other relatives rushed outside without bolting the doors. They did not notice anything missing till this morning.

He noticed that about Rs 4 lakh cash he had stacked in an almirah were missing along with jewellery. But the locks of the almirah were not broken. He also found that his revolver was missing. The family was most startled to notice that certain cheques, many of those signed blank by an NRI relative, were also gone.

SI Rajesh Kumar said the police questioned the servants of the house and had got some interesting leads. Fingerprint experts could not be of help as the alleged incident was two days old.

The room in which the alleged theft took place was located on the first floor of the house.

The room was accessible by two sets of stairs, one climbing from the front and the other from the backyard.

The family did not find any windowpane or door lock broken. There were no signs that somebody had broke into the house.

Ludhiana, February 4
The ongoing drive by the city police to check offenders of traffic rules met a rough patch today when a Sub-Inspector at the Division No 2 police station was shifted to the Police Lines for allegedly misbehaving with sons of a councillor while checking his vehicle documents near the Civil Hospital.

The action against the police official SI Surjit Singh, came after councillor Rakesh Prashar of Municipal Corporation Ward No 49 staged a dharna in the area. Shopkeepers joined him with shutters down in Field Gunj Market, the Shahpur road market, Karimpura and Kutcha No 5 and 6 markets.

The confrontation attained serious proportions when the district Congress leaders took up the matter with Mr Shamsher Singh Dullo, president, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, who in turn talked about the issue to city SSP Narinderpal Singh. A delegation of Congress leaders, including Mr Rajinder Basant, met the SSP in this regard.

The dharna was lifted and the market opened when the District Congress Party president, Mr Jagmohan Sharma, announced to agitated activists that the police had agreed in principle to shift the official to the Police Lines, pending an inquiry.

DSP (City-I,) R.K. Sharma said the SI had been shifted on the basis of a complaint made by the Congress councillor and his son. He said an inquiry has been ordered for further action. The police had to send additional force from the Division No 3 police station and another team led by DSP Sarabha Nagar, Mr R.K. Bakshi, was deputed to prevent escalation of tension. DSP Bakshi along with DSP R.K. Sharma negotiated with the agitators.

Mr Rakesh Prashar’s elder brother, Mr Ashok Pappi Prashar, is an influential Congress leader while another brother, Mr Sushil Prashar, is co-ordinator of the All-India Congress Sewa Dal.

According to Mr Sushil Prashar, the trouble began at about 9 am when a team of cops stopped a Maruti Zen car driven by Amnish Prashar (19) at a police check post near the Civil Hospital. He alleged that instead of asking for papers, the police official asked him from where he had stolen the car. He allegedly spoke rudely and also misbehaved with the Congress councillor and other Congress leaders.

Mr Ashok Prashar said he the police official could have challaned the boy if there was some discrepancy in his driving licence or documents, but there was no need to call him a thief.

Khanna, February 4
Two unidentified youths robbed the house of a local doctor in New Abadi Area late last evening. The robbers fled with cash and gold worth more than 2 lakh. A police party along with the SSP, Khanna Mr Naunihal Singh, reached the site to investigate the case.

The victim, Dr, P.D. Singla, posted at the Civil Hospital here as SMO, said he left his house at 7.15 p.m. along with his wife. His son was in the house. Two youths on a motorcycle entered the house at gun point. One of them asked the doctors son to hand over cash and gold in the house at gun point.

The robbers fled after locking the doctor’s son inside the room. The SSP has called fingerprints experts.

The police has put on alert and nakas laid at several points.

The Khanna police today released sketches of the suspects. The police is working on various theories.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, February 4
More than 2,200 students from 60 government and private schools of the block appeared in the Class V examination conducted by the State Council of Educational Research and Training. The Block Primary Education office claimed smooth conduct of exams at 18 centres.

According to Mr Achhra Singh, an official of the BEPO office, as many as 2,220 students from various schools of the block had filled forms. The candidature of one was cancelled for being underaged.

Referring to the information collected from various centres, Mr Nachhatar Singh, BEPO, claimed that the examination had been conducted smoothly at all centres.

Ludhiana, February 4
In the wake of alarming rise in the number of suicide or attempted suicide cases in the region, experts have suggested several measures to deal with the problem in a positive manner and save precious lives, which might be lost in the absence of proper counselling and treatment, if warranted in specific cases.

According to Dr Paramjit Singh Khurana, consultant neuro-psychiatrist and drug de-addiction specialist at Guru Teg Bahadur Charitable Hospital here, the suicidal behaviour is as old as the human race, but it is only in the last few decades that studies have been conducted to understand the demographic, psycho-social and other variables related to suicide. In India, suicides take the lives of more than 1.30 lakh people each year, while some 5.50 lakh others are hospitalised after attempts.

Says Dr Khurana, “Adolescents, young adults, and the elderly are specially vulnerable to suicide. Since depression is the major cause of suicide, and people who are depressed often feel hopeless and helpless, they may feel too overwhelmed to seek help.

This is specially likely for young people who have negative feelings and do not know whom to turn towards. Even parents who talk to their children about the dangers of alcohol, drugs, and AIDS are sometimes uncomfortable talking about depression or other types of mental illness. Nonetheless, such discussions are important because they can help children understand that depression is common and treatable.”

Commenting on the suicidal tendency among male and female population, he remarked that even though women attempted suicide more often, men were four times more likely to succeed. The risk was also greater in older people who had lost a spouse through death or divorce, people who abused drugs or alcohol, and those with a history of suicide attempts or a family history of suicide.

Dr Khurana said those thinking to commit suicide often made known their feelings and intentions. The immediate family members or those around such persons should keep an eye for warning signs of identification, which could include excessive gloominess, withdrawal from pleasurable activities, refusing to talk with friends or family, or choosing to be alone most of the time, personality changes or marked changes in attitude, personal appearance, or eating or sleeping patterns.

Other signs of building up of a tendency to end one’s life were moodiness, mood swings or sudden calmness after a period of deep sadness or moodiness, self-destructive behaviour, sudden participation in dangerous activities, such as driving too fast, having unsafe sex, or stepping up use of alcohol and drugs, struggles caused by life crises, a health problem, an accident, loss of a job, or money problems, sense of dispossession or disposing of cherished belongings and frequent threats to commit suicide.

In a note of caution, he observed that the assumption that people who threatened suicide never really go through with the same was not true. All threats should be taken seriously and timely remedial measures taken. More often, the act of suicide was impulsive, consistent with ambivalence and indecision. This explained why it was so important that those around the affected person should be willing to reach out and engage the person considered to be suicidal.

Stressing the dire need for counselling and expert assistance, Dr Khurana said when certain behaviours appeared worrisome, it was all right to ask the person if he or she was thinking about suicide. “Talking about it won’t make it happen; in fact, the opposite is usually true. Never accept the idea that someone who is thinking about suicide can handle his or her problem alone. And do not keep someone’s suicidal threats a secret.”

He pointed out that the most important basic skill involved being willing to listen and talk to that person, ideally in that order. There was much to learn about how to listen effectively, but the essential ingredient of doing so with care and concern for the individual at risk should be something we can all do. Even this important basic approach had, at times, been stigmatised as representing no more than “tears and sympathy”.

Claiming that nearly 80 per cent of persons with depression, who sought treatment were cured, he elaborated that a combination of drugs and talk therapy had helped many people recover from their illness. “Anti-depressant and mood-stabilising drugs are often used. Positive and well-informed attitudes can help to prevent suicide. On the other hand, a negative, rejecting approach may increase the chance that a suicidal person will choose to die.”

The golden rule in such cases, added Dr Khurana, was that whenever someone threatened to commit suicide and had a way to do it, the nearest hospital should be called immediately and help of a psychiatrist sought. The family members or other attendants ought to stay with the person until help arrived.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, February 4
Mr Raj Kumar Sharma, who lost four members of his family in a road accident at Barnala three weeks ago, has been asked to surrender the death certificates of the deceased issued by the local Registrar of births and deaths. The Barnala Municipal Council has refused to register the deaths on flimsy grounds.

The District Health Officer, in his inspection note, has directed the local authorities to cancel the same as the deaths are to be registered at the place of the occurrence.

Leaders of various social and political organisations have urged the higher authorities to impress upon the officials concerned to issue the required documents without further delay and initiate action against the erring staff.

Mr Raj Kumar Sharma, a resident of Ward No 11 had submitted an application supported with an affidavit that the Municipal Council of Barnala had rejected his request to register the deaths of Rajiv Kumar Sharma, Sanjiv Sharma, Diksha and Abhishek (sons and grandchildren of the applicant).

Acting on humanitarian ground, Mr Ved Parkash Singla, Executive Officer, allowed the registration and issued the certificates.

However the DHO, in his inspection note on Friday, said the registration should be done at the place of death. So the certificates should be cancelled

Mr Sharma in his forms had clearly stated that he had cremated his kin at the local cremation grounds.

City resident wins trip to Singapore
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, February 2
Mr Aziz, a local lottery seller, is the winner of the ‘caller song’ contest by Spice Telecom. He would get a return ticket and a holiday package to Singapore. Prize is sponsored by Spice and Singapore Airlines. The winner was felicitated today by Mr Navdeep Kapur, senior manager, marketing, Spice Telecom and Mr Vimal Rai, manager (Punjab), Singapore Airlines.

Ludhiana, February 4
Timely intervention by ASI Balwant Singh, in charge police post bus stand Jagraon, averted an ugly clash today. According to information, due to old enmity, members of a group inflicted injuries on Manjinder Singh (23) and Gurdip Singh, both of Agwar Lopo, near Kukar Bazar.

The injured were rushed to the Civil Hospital. Nachhattar Singh of Jagraon, who belonged to the other group, alleged that the assailants came on a Hero Honda motorcycle (PB-25-1239) with swords to the hospital.

But ASI Balwant Singh immediately rushed to nab him. Sensing trouble they fled leaving their motorcycle and swords.

Meantime, Gurpreet Singh, another local resident was admitted in the Civil Hospital. The police has reportedly taken into possession a Tata 407 in which more arms were brought for the clash. OC

Ludhiana, February 4
With the state government having accepted demands of mini bus operators, fares for mini buses have been increased.

Following protest rallies across the state last month and a massive rally in Chandigarh on February 1, the government has agreed to increase the fare from Rs 2 to Rs 4. However, this would not affect passengers travelling on long routes.

Over 6,000 mini buses operate in various districts connecting rural areas with cities.

“The increase in the first stage means that up to 9 km, a passenger would pay Rs 4. Earlier, it was Rs 2 up to 5 km and beyond that Rs 46 per km. After this change, only the first stage fare increases — beyond 9 km,” Mr Harinder Sharma, president, Punjab Mini Bus Owners Association, told the Ludhiana Tribune.

The rise, which would be applicable only for the first stage, Mr Sharma said, would help mini bus operators meet high operating costs.

Operators, who thanked the state government for meeting their several demands, said the government had agreed for a 25 per cent reduction in taxes applicable on them.

“Post-reduction, taxes on mini bus operators would come down to Rs 30,000 from Rs 40,000, which would be a great relief. Besides, they have agreed to include a representative of mini bus operators on the transport advisory committee,” said Mr Jaswinder Singh Grewal, president, Ludhiana Mini Bus Operators Association, at a press conference here today.

He said the problems of mini bus operators due to “unjustified challaning by the traffic police” would also come to an end as the government had assured them that traffic police personnel challan them only if they violated traffic rules.

Regarding the demand for reduction in entry fee, Mr Grewal said the government would form a committee to come with a way out.

Mr Jarnail Singh Jallajan, secretary, Ludhiana Mini Bus Operators Association, Mr Charanjit Singh Gill, general secretary, Punjab Mini Bus Operators Association, and Mr Ravinder Pal Singh of R.L.Bus Service were also present.