Ludhiana, November 27
The much-awaited Sangat Darshan programme of the district administration left a number of complainants high and dry as it was wound up within 12 minutes only as the additional deputy commissioner Priyank Bharti left the venue in a huff.

Only eight new complaints were taken up by Bharti who left soon after saying that he had to attend an important meeting and all old cases would be taken during the next grievance redressal programme. He reached the venue at 11: 35 and left it at 11:47 pm.

The ADC came, sat for a few minutes, asked only new complainants to present their case and left. This left complainants and employees and officials of other departments disappointed.

The Bachat Bhawan was left vacant soon after with the complainants cribbing for a few seconds and then leaving the venue. ‘‘They should have informed us not to come. Why should we have come all the way to get ourselves heard? ’’ asked Bhajan Singh, a resident of Dhandra village, who wanted to get his problem solved from the authorities.

Harbans Lal, a physically challenged, had come on his wheel chair to get himself heard. He had to go back disillusioned. ‘‘Had I known they were going to do that to us, I would not have come. I only know how difficult it is for me to reach here. I have to take the help of somebody to go anywhere,’’ he said.

He has prayed upon the DC to sanction him a PCO under physically challenged persons quota. ‘‘I was told that my work would be done today. But they did not give me two minutes to present my case, ’’ added Harbans.

During his few minutes stay, Bharti exhorted the youths to take good care of their parents and should become their support in the twilight of their life. He was prompted to say so when he heard a case of a woman that she was being threatened by her daughter-in-law and son to throw her out of their house. He could not do anything for her except that he marked it to the SSP, Ludhiana, to look into it.

Later a press note said the ADC had marked all eight complaints to the officials concerned and a report was sought in 15 days time.

Ludhiana, November 27
Thieves seem to have become so daring in the city that even the house of a sitting judge is not safe.

Two teenagers allegedly lifted several pairs of trouser, other clothes and some valuable coins from the highly secured Officers Colony-based government house of a judicial magistrate Sandeep Jossan, when he was out of station with family and security guards.

The theft comes close on the heels of the scare caused by thieves in the Officers Colony situated next to the SSP residence.

The cops had to set up a permanent guard post at the colony to ward off the incidents. This guard post seems to be of no use as the thieves successfully broke into the house.

But while commoners wait for months or years for the police to catch the culprits, the Division No 8 cops acted swiftly and claimed to have caught the two accused within 24 hours of the crime.

SHO Ravinder Singh said one of the two accused, Ashu, lived in a temple situated in the demolished Old Courts complex. The temple was recently in the centre of the controversy over the move to shift it. He along with his accomplice Manni have been arrested this late evening.

The police claimed that both accused had committed the series of thefts ocurring in the officers colony few weeks ago. Further questioning of the accused was on.

The FIR regarding the theft at the house of the judge was lodged by his gunman constable Surjit Singh. He stated that he had gone out of station with the judge. In their absence, some persons broke open the windows of the house and decamped with clothes and coins kept at a place of worship in a room.

Security at the colony is a top priority of the city police. Not only several judges but many police and civil administration officials live there.

Even if the security gaurd of the judge were with him, the guards of other officers are always present on the road. All of them live in tent houses erected on the road.

Besides them, the PCR cops also keep patrolling the area. Still, the thieves manage to commit a theft in the house of a judge.

Ludhiana, November 27
A scuffle took place amongst students of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) over the issue of examination here in the morning. Majority of students, who were on strike today over non-implementation of their long pending demands, wanted to boycott classes as well as the house examination whereas certain students were adamant to take their morning exam. War of words was witnessed among the two groups and certain students manhandled each other.

Mandeep Singh Jawaddi, president, Punjab Agricultural University Students Association (PAUSA), talking to The Tribune said they had announced about their strike in the morning, still a handful of students were adamant to take their exam. “How could we allow this? The union is fighting for all the students. We never wanted them to sit in the exam but they did not listen to us. We had to enter the examination hall to ask them to come out but they refused”, he said.

One of the students of first year, who took the examination, said they were not with the union’s decision. He said it was not fair to go on strike on the day of examination. “They could give the charter of demands before or after the examinations. Certain students did not want to disturb the routine work and took the exam”, he added.

Meanwhile, the striking students also alleged that this time university authorities did not mention the names of students with lecture shortage, on the notice boards.

Many of the students, who came to take the exam, were shocked when they were not allowed to sit in examination because of short of lectures. “They did not warn us or inform us this time”, alleged one of the students adding that they have not been provided the internet facility either.

A senior faculty member from the department of agriculture said the class teachers always warned the students about their lecture shortage in the university. They are told about it even before the practical examinations. 

Mandi Ahmedgarh, November 27
The Payal police has initiated an investigation into the mysterious disappearance of an ex-serviceman of Kadon village, near here.

The mother and wife of the ex-serviceman, vide separate applications, have sought help of the police in searching for him.

While the mother of the ex-serviceman has accused her daughter-in-law of sinister designs, the wife has alleged that a cousin of her husband had lured him to accompany him to an unknown place on the pretext of getting him a job.

Jagir Kaur, a widow of Kadon village near here, has alleged that her son Pritam Singh, who had gone to mela Chhapar along with his wife about two months ago, had disappeared under mysterious circumstances.

Accusing Harpreet Kaur, her daughter-in-law, of concealing the sequence of events leading to the disappearance of Pritam Singh, the widow has urged the Payal police to bring out the truth.

Harpreet Kaur, in a separate application, maintained, however, that Pritam Singh had gone with Kuldip Singh, his cousin, of Landa village to take up a job at Chandigarh on October 8 and had not returned after that.

Naveen Kumar, SHO, Payal, said the police had initiated investigations after registering a “missing report”. 

Ludhiana, November 27
Dr Barno Avezova, professor in Moscow University who has done research on the life and literature of Sahir Ludhianvi, poets Kashmiri Lal Zakir and Munnawar Rana will be presented with the annual Sahir Award at Jashn-e-Sahir, an international mushaira to be held in the city on December 1. The mushaira, which is being organised by Adeeb International, will involve participation of poets from several countries, including Pakistan and Russia.

Addressing a press conference in the city, Dr Kewal Dheer, general secretary of Adeeb International, said the Sahir Award was presented every year in the field of art, literature and culture. The previous recipients of the awards include Ali Sardar Jafri, Kaifi Azmi, Bushra Rehman, Shabana Aazmi, Sharmila Tagore and Gulzar. ADGP, Punjab, Chander Shekhar, would be the chief guest.

An art exhibition, in which portraits of Sahir, Iqbal, Faiz, Manto, Amrita Pritam, Sahir Batalvi, Gulzar, Shabana Azmi and several others will be displayed, will also be held on the occasion.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, November 27
The Dehlon police has arrested the main accused of a murder case of a migrant labourer, whose body was found in a drain near Dehlon village, near here, around three months ago.

The victim and the suspect were identified on the basis of information gathered by a special investigating team constituted by the Ludhiana (rural) police.

Masharu of Samastipur district, Bihar, was arrested by the Dehlon police from railway station, Ludhiana, when he was about to board a train on Sunday evening. He had earlier been booked under Section 302, IPC, for allegedly killing Ramesh Ram (45) of Paprolia Rosra village at Dehlon on August 15 night.

The mutilated body of the deceased was spotted by the owner of the fields two days after the alleged murder.

According to SSP (rural) Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, residents of the area had spotted an unidentified body in a drain near Dehlon village on August 17 morning.

The police had registered an FIR under Section 302 against unknown persons and formed a team to investigate the matter.

"As the condition of the body had suggested that the victim was brutally murdered, a SIT, led by Prem Singh and supervised by DSP Dehlon Paramjit Singh Goraya, was constituted to investigate the matter.

Ludhiana, November 27
Additional sessions judge Sanjeev Berry has sentenced Narinder Singh of Sihuara village, falling under Payal tehsil, Ludhiana, to undergo life imprisonment on the charges of committing rape on his own minor daughter, aged 14 years.

Delivering the verdict, the judge held that the prosecution had successfully proved the charges levelled against the accused beyond any reasonable shadow of doubt. The judge also ordered the accused to pay a fine of Rs 3,000.

Terming it to be a heinous crime, the judge remarked that by doing such a act, the accused had maligned the pious relationship of father and daughter, so he deserves no leniency.

The accused was booked under Sections 376/323 and 506, IPC, at the Payal police station in May 2005 on the complaint of daughter of accused, Sarika (assumed name).

In its complaint, the victim had mentioned that she was studying in Class X. Her father was a driver by profession. Up to Class IX, she studied at Assi Kalan village but in Class X, her mother got her admitted to government school Sihaura.

She had alleged that her father used to beat her mother on petty matters. On May 9, 2005, when she was sleeping, her father started touching her body. She woke up and told her mother that she was afraid on which her mother asked her to sleep with her. Then she slept with her mother.

Following this, her father got annoyed and started abusing her mother. He asked me to sleep with him. But she did not agree. After some time, her father forcibly committed rape on her in the presence of her mother. He threatened them not to disclose the incident to anyone, added the victim girl.

On the next night, her father again repeated the same. Thereafter on May 11 and May 13, 2005, he again committed rape on her. On May 14, her mother went to her parental house and narrated the entire incident to them. Then she filed the complaint before the police.

However, the accused pleaded not guilty and claimed false implication. He said actually her wife wanted to marry off her daughter against his wishes. When he did not allow to marry her with the said person, they implicated me falsely, added the accused.

On the other hand, the prosecutrix as well as her mother appeared in the witness box and re-iterated the allegations levelled against the accused. Finding cogent and convincing evidence against him, the court awarded him severe punishment. 

Doraha, November 27
In order to bring awareness among the masses about the health hazards of obesity, a free comprehensive body composition analysis (B.C.A.) and dietary guidance camp was organised yesterday at Sidhu Hospital, Doraha.

Students and teachers of the Sidhu School of Nursing made audio-visual presentations regarding dangers and ways of prevention of obesity. Patients enrolled in weight loss program, including Bariatric surgery, during this camp were given special concessions.

“Obesity is not only the most serious health hazard affecting mankind today, but is also the mother of a host of diseases grouped under metabolic syndrome with disastrous consequences.

“Latest WHO survey revealed that the world has more obese persons than hungry ones”, Dr Sidhu said. Highlighting this alarming development, Dr Sidhu said mild to moderately obese patients could be treated with dietary control, both active and passive exercises, by enrolling in a weight loss programme and medicines.

Ludhiana, November 27
Hosts Ramgarhia Senior Secondary School, Miller Ganj, scored an emphatic 10-0 win over Teja Singh Swatantar School in the boy’s section to storm into the final of the Ludhiana District Softball Championship being held here today.

In a match to decide the third position (boys), Guru Nanak International Public School, Model Town, had to fight it tooth and nail to pip Teja Singh Swatantar School, 2-1.

In the league matches in the girl’s section, Guru Nanak Girls College, Model Town, registered three victories while Ramgarhia Girls College, Miller Ganj, recorded win in one match and lost the second one.

In the first match, Guru Nanak Girls College defeated Guru Nanak Khalsa College (8-0) and then demolished Khalsa College for Women (17-0). Ramgarhia Girls College routed Khalsa College for Women 10-0, however, in the second match they went down 0-8 against Guru Nanak Girls College.

Mohali, November 27
He is another ‘Bhajji’ in making. Not only his bowling action but also the turn of the ball, which can dodge any top class player in front of the wickets, just reminds of Harbhajan Singh.

Making a successful debut in the Group ‘B’ Super League Ranji match against Uttar Pradesh which concluded at PCA here today, off-spinner Charanjit Singh attracted all attentions with his performance with both bat and ball.

Indian player Mohammad Kaif was his first Ranji victim and second was another top class batsman Suresh Raina.

Talking to The Tribune, this promising cricketer said, “It is very exciting to have Kaif as the first victim of my Ranji career. He is such a big player so clinching his wicket is a big motivation for a budding cricketer like me”, said Charanjit.

Though he took only two wickets in his debut match, he played key role to put his team in a strong position with his scintillating batting skills also.

In the first innings, the bowler surprised everyone by playing very crucial and timely knock of 40 runs, when the team needed it the most. He again delivered in the second innings of the match, chipping in valuable 64 runs with the help of 12 fours.

“Undoubtedly my knocks in both the innings were just icing on the cake but I am a bowler first. I want to concentrate more on my bowling skills”, said 
Charanjit.

“To sharpen my off-break spin, I have taken tips from ‘Bhajji phaji’ many a time. I also learnt the trick of bowling ‘Doosra’ from him”, said the Amritsar-based lad.

Charanjit, who wants to become like his idol Sri Lankan Muttiah Muralitharan, has played in the age group tournaments, including Under 19 and Under 22, for Punjab.

“I am fully satisfied with my performance in my debut match at PCA. Now I am looking forward for the next tie against Bengal at Siliguri”, summed up Charanjit. 

Chandigarh, November 27
GGD SD College, Sector 32, Chandigarh, won the Panjab University Inter-College Chess (women) Championship for the year 2007-08. The championship was held at PU premises, here yesterday.

The GGD SD College team comprising Madhuri Sood, Jaya Bhatia, Jasdeep Kaur and Pooja Rani gathered 15.5 points to get the first place. MCM College team consisting of Shweta, Megha, Semonpreet Gill and Kanwaldeep Kaur earned 15 points and got second place.

The PU campus team (Rupinder, Satwant, Akashdeep and Tanvi) got 12.5 points for the third place.

BALL BADMINTON: MCM DAV College, Chandigarh, beat GNN College, Doraha, (29-09, 29-0) on the opening day of the Panjab University Inter-College Ball Badminton (Women) Tournament held at PU grounds here yesterday.

In second match, Dev Samaj College (Women), Sector 45, defeated DM College, Moga, (29-0, 29-02) while SGGS College for Women, Sector 26, Chandigarh, beat SD College, Moga, (29-05, 29-05).

KABADDI: Sri Guru Gobind Singh College for Women, Sector 26, Chandigarh, outclassed SGG Janta Girls College, Raikot, 78-14 on the first day of the PU Inter-College Kabaddi (Women) League Tournament held at PU grounds here yesterday.

Ludhiana, November 27
BCM Arya Model Senior Secondary School, Shastri Nagar, scored an easy 8-wicket win over Alpine International Public Senior Secondary School in the final of the Ludhiana Sahodaya Schools Complex Cricket Tournament which concluded here yesterday.

Alpine International Public School won the toss and opted to bat. In the stipulated 15 overs, they could muster only 53 runs after losing nine wickets. Only two batsmen, Arpanjit (14) and Vikas (11), could reach double figure.

For BCM School, Amrinder Brar and Ankur were the most successful bowlers, scalping two wickets each for 7 and 9 runs, respectively.

Fine batting by Sahil (32 n.o),helped BCM School to defeat the rivals in just six overs, after losing two wickets. Nikhil remained unbeaten on 7 runs.

Satyanand Munjal, co-chairman and managing director, Hero Cycles Limited, was the chief guest.