Ludhiana, May 11
The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, who visited the city, today left residents disappointed as he could not address the people directly.

Since he did not address a public rally and held a press conference only, the residents wanted to hear him from the dais and listen to his voice.

The Tribune office received a number of phone calls today from the people who wanted to hear Dr Manmohan. They wanted to know the venue of his rally but when they were told there was no such programme on his itinerary, they hopes were dashed to the ground.

‘‘He is a well-meaning person. He is an honest man, different from many political leaders. We really wanted to see him and hear him. We thought there would be a public function. I asked several security personnel also about it but they told me they did not know anything, ’’ said Amarjit Singh Batth, a resident of Barewal.

Though the PM's address to the media was being telecast live on several TV channels, people wanted to see him personally and not on the screen. Still many of them remained stuck to TV for many hours waiting for him to arrive on the scene.

‘‘People in Punjab like him more than LK Advani. He would have been a great crowd puller. But we do not know what happened. The PM should be told that his people were looking forward to have him in the city,’’ said Dr Muktinder Singh, a homoeopathic practitioner.

The Congress had initially decided to organise a rally of the Prime Minister. It could, however, not be organised due to security reasons and a short notice.

‘‘After yesterday's NDA rally, I was sure that we would see Dr Manmohan Singh but we were not so lucky. We were sick and tired of so much of electioneering. He was the only person we wanted to hear,’’ said Taranjeet Singh, a government employee.

While people were unhappy, the SAD-BJP camp was a happy lot. After a successful maharally in the city yesterday, they felt Dr Manmohan could have tilted the mandate in the Congress favour had he gone among people.

Ludhiana, May 11
Thousands of commuters travelling from Ferozepur road and Pakhowal road to old city and the industrial area underwent trouble due to the PM’s visit.

The traffic scenario was further worsened by Congress workers, who were protesting against the police inaction at Jagraon Bridge, after their men were allegedly beaten up the SAD supporters at Shimlapuri.

But the blocking of traffic backfired as city residents went up in arms against the Congress men and even threatened them that if they would not lift the jam, they would not vote the party.

Gaurav Gupta, who was travelling along with his family was angered over the traffic jam. He said: “Why my six-month-old son should suffer if someone has thrashed them. Already the traffic police has put so many restrictions due to the PM’s arrival. We have somehow managed to reach Jagraon bridge and here again we are again stuck in the traffic jam. This is utter lawlessness and it is shameful that the Congress has stooped so low.”

Serpentine queues of vehicles were seen on the roads leading to prominent spots of the city, first due to the PM’s arrival and then by the supporters of the Congress.

Restriction enforced by the city police to regulate traffic in various parts of the city backfired as instead of easing the traffic it unleashed chaos.

The roads leading to Jagraon Bridge, Clock Tower, Domoria Bridge, MC office, Karimpura Chowk and Gill Chowk witnessed worst traffic jams due to the PM’s visit and Congress men’s agitation.

Caught in the traffic, some commuters opted to either park their vehicles at the railway station or near Mata Rani Mandir and walked to their destinations.

Women were the worst hit as they were harassed by eve-teasers who took advantage of the chaos and scorching heat.

“There is hardly any room available to move and eve-teasers have made my life miserable. I have no option but to push aside people for space,” said Rajinder Kaur, a resident of Jagraon, who was here for shopping.

The chaos also led to pollution and loss of fuel as vehicles remained stranded or moved at a snail’s pace.

Mamta, while trying to clam down her 2-yr-old son who suffered a bout of cough due to pollution and heat, said “My son is suffering from bronchitis and I was taking him to the doctor. But we are now stuck in a traffic jam I don’t know where to go.”

Phillaur, May 11
Those travelling to Jalandhar on the National Highway No. I were in for a rude shock after they were made to shell out double the amount they used spend on the toll plaza at the Sutlej Bridge near Phillaur

Toll tax authorities have revised the rates from today onwards. As per the revised rate, those travelling by car will now have to spend Rs 73 for one way and Rs 113 for onward and return journey.

Earlier, the toll rates were Rs 45 for one side and Rs 76 for both sides.

About Rs 132 were being charged from mini- trucks for one way, while Rs 198 was charged for the return ticket.

And Rs 265 were charged from six-tyre truck for one way, while the Rs 397 for traveling on both sides.

The increased rates by the toll-plaza authorities have left the commuters fuming, who are terming the move as autocratic.

The rates have been revised without prior announcements. Sources said the increased toll rates were kept as a secret so that the toll plaza does not become the poll issue.

Sumit Devgun, a city resident, said: “From now travelling on a four wheeler to Phillaur to take obeisance at Shani Temple will burn a hole in my pocket. I don’t spend this much money on patrol while travelling to Philaur as I have to spend on toll tax now.”

Showing a slip another commuter complained that it came as a shock for him when the employee at toll plaza asked him to shell out Rs 73 as against Rs 45, which he used to pay earlier. He complained that due to the increased rates it would become impossible for him to travel by car at the National Highway No. 1.

The toll plaza, which is just a few metres away from the Sutlej Bridge, which is already in a dilapidated state, has been matter of controversy.

Mani Dhaliwal, a resident of Phillaur, criticised the NHAI authorities for their autocratic approach. He said, “First they set up a toll plaza few metres away from the Sutlej Bridge that is not fit for pedestrians and now they have increased the fare without prior information.”

The pedestrians’ passage is already in a bad shape. Signboards stating, “kindly do not use the footpath” have come up on the either side of the bridges. But with no safe alternate route provided to those crossing the bridge by foot, the pedestrians risk their life by using the road space meant for vehicles.

Ludhiana, May 11
Boozers are in high spirits as candidates started offering free flow of liquor here yesterday.

Earlier distribution of liquor was going on in rural areas. But now the candidates have “officially” started supplying liquor to the polling managers to lure voters in both rural and urban areas. Slips with code words (One Cup Of Tea) are send to liquor vends.

Enquiries made by The Tribune revealed that at least three trucks loaded with the countrymade liquor were sent to the rural areas yesterday and four trucks of the Indian-Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) were sent to the poll managers in the urban areas.

One bottle of countrymade liquor costs Rs 90 while one bottle of IMFL (like Bagpiper, Officer’s Choice and Royal Peg) costs Rs 150.

Also, a senior functionary of a political party called a liquor baron three days ago and asked him to supply liquor to candidates of Ludhiana and Fatehgarh Sahib Lok Sabha seats.

This liquor baron enjoys the monopoly over other liquor vends in different parts of Punjab. He was allegedly asked to supply liquor to all 18 Vidhan Sabha segments of the two Lok Sabha seats.

In the meantime, the state excise department has stopped issuing new permits for the purchase of liquor from the wholesale dealers from today. The government has ordered the closure of all liquor vends in the state from this evening till May 14 in view of the polling on May 13 for nine Lok Sabha seats.

One liquor contractor said dealers who had connection with the ruling party would have roaring business during the last phase of the polling and there was possibility of sale of illegal liquor, which was made available without the payment of official excise duty and other taxes.

The large-scale supply of “Bhukki” is also going on in the rural areas.

People are sore over free flow of liquor and other intoxicants. They said to a great extent politicians were responsible for drug addiction among the youth.

A lawyer from the city remarked, “The future of the youth is very grim and the politicians are not realising the gravity of the situation.”

Mandi Ahmedgarh, May 11
In gross violation of the Election Commission’s directions poll campaigners of various candidates continued to send SMSes to the residents of the area falling under Ludhiana and Sangrur district 48 hours prior to the scheduled polling on Wednesday.

While the expenses of bulk SMSes are to be included in the expenditure incurred by the respective candidates, majority of them did not mention these in statements submitted to the authorities. This has also exposed that most of the statements prepared by the candidates were manipulated.

While majority of organisers were not aware of the fact that the Election Commission had imposed a ban on bulk political SMSes; others used mobile phones of their supporters for appealing the voters to cast their votes in favour of the respective candidates.

Acting smart, a few organisers deployed hired subscribers for sending individual SMSes to the office-bearers of social, religious and constitutional organisations, to impress upon their members to cast the vote in favour of their respective candidates.

“Candidate can not be held responsible for technical mistakes committed by his well-wishers and supporters,” said manager of local office launched a regional party’s candidate. He claimed that the expenses for sending SMSes were included in the statement under the miscellaneous category.

The bulk SMSes sent during the campaign period for electioneering are supposed to be reported by the Returning Officers to the CEOs, who finds out the cost involved from the service providers and apportion it to the candidates concerned.

Though the Election Commission had warned to take legal action against candidates or parties sending SMSes on religious lines, subscribers kept on receiving messages containing appeals for voting in favour of candidates hailing from a particular community or religion.

In one of the messages, widely circulated in this part of Malwa, the MPs were even compared with terrorists.

Ludhiana, May 11
Two hours before Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh visited the city to seek votes for Congress nominee Manish Tewari, four Congress workers shaved their heads to protest against the latter's remarks against former Chief Minister late Beant Singh.

Four workers, including former block secretary Sant Ram of Youth Congress, block secretary Govinda, Youth Congress, Amar Singh and Amar Nath, both executives of outfit, got their heads shaved and demanded an apology from Tewari on the tomb of late Beant Singh.

The issue that was raised a few days ago, failed to die down as the Youth Congress leaders, including Rohit Sabharwal, Narendra Makkar, Bir Partap Singh, Ashwini Jonhy and Rohit Arora sought the apology from Tewari.

They said Tewari was so arrogant that he could not go to seek the apology from the slain leader. He said they did not want to meet the PM, as they did not want to give security personnel a tough time. So they had decided to lodge their protest in this manner.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, May 11
The police launched a “combing operation” to ensure that all outsiders, who have been camping here to facilitate election campaigns of their respective candidates, have left the area.

The action was taken in compliance of orders promulgated by district election officers at Sangrur and Ludhiana districts.

As the clock struck 5 pm, special teams of cops, each headed by a OR, started going door-to-door to ensure that no outsider was present in the town and surrounding villages falling under Fatehgarh Sahib and Ludhiana Lok Sabha constituencies.

Special nakas were organised at the entry points of various localities to regulate movement of visitors.

Authorities had earlier announced through public announcement system that all outsiders should leave the area before the commencement of 48 hours preceding the close of polling on Wednesday.

The organisers and managers of inns, hotels and religious places were asked to provide complete information about the visitors staying at their respective places.

DSP Anil Joshi, Payal, DSP Paramjit Singh Gorayan, Dakha, and DSP Gurpreet Singh Sikand, Malerkotla, supervised the screening operation, so that the genuine visitors were not harassed.

"We have directed the officials to ensure that only those persons are made to leave the area who had come to facilitate the election campaign of their respective candidates. Those who have come to attend social functions and meet relatives should not be harassed," said Gurpreet Singh Sikand.

Investigations by the Ludhiana Tribune revealed that a large number of activists of the parties had converged in the area to make meetings and rallies organised in favour of their candidates impressive. The authorities apprehended a threat to peace and tranquility of the area from these unknown persons.

Ludhiana, May 11
Congress leaders condemned the attack on the Block Congress president, Shimlapuri area, Palwinder Singh Taggar, today and demanded immediate arrest of the culprits.

They said it was second such incident that occurred within a week in the same area. They criticised the local administration for acting in a biased manner and not taking any action against the culprits.

Manish Tewari, party candidate from the city, said it was shocking that Taggar was attacked. It clearly showed the tacit connivance of the police with the culprits. He warned the police and the administration against shielding the culprits.

“Instead of arresting the culprits, the police registered cross-FIR against our workers under non-bailable sections”, he added.

Congress workers led by Jassi Khangura, Kila Raipur MLA, staged a dharna at Jagraon Bridge against the biased role of the police.

Khangura said the Akalis were desperate as they had started smelling defeat and were now resorting to violence and intimidation of the Congress workers.

The Congress leaders, including Harnam Dass Johar, Surinder Dawer, Rakesh Pandey, Milkiat Singh Birmi, Milkiat Singh Dakha, Jagjivanpal Singh Gill, Amarjit Singh Tikka, Gurdev Singh Lapran, Gurmail Pahalwan, Pawan Dewan and others, condemned the attack and demanded immediate arrest of the accused.

Ludhiana, May 11
The municipal corporation, which was being criticised for its decision to install fancy lights on major city roads of city, now, seems to be least bothered about how its material is being used.

A classic example of it was witnessed during the SAD-BJP rally organised here on Sunday. Police personnel and supporters used the polls of these Rs 6-crore fancy lights to form barricades. The upper portion of these polls along with iron drums was used to block the flow of traffic on the Chandigarh Road.

When those manning the rally area were asked the reason behind using these structures they stated these were put to use since they were lying idle. “Besides, these were being used for few hours only. As soon as the rally finishes and the vehicular movement allowed, the structures would be kept from where they were picked,” they added.

Talking to The Tribune, Deepak, who had come to listen to the leaders, said: “Before promising moons and stars to us, these people should learn how to respect the public money. These fancy lights which are coming up on the Ferozepur Road are just a luxury and if leaders should have questioned the officials about these.”

The BJP and SAD councillors had fought over the installation of the lights with the former disagreeing to it. The BJP members of the Finance and Contracts Committee had also sent dissenting notes on the issue when the resolution was passed with majority by the SAD councillors along with the municipal commissioner.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, May 11
Thikri pehras being organised by volunteers of a few social organisations at local town and surrounding villages situated in Sangrur district frustrated alleged sinister designs of supporters of certain Lok Sabha candidates to distribute drugs and narcotics to lure voters.

Residents have urged authorities to continue the move against the alleged use of drugs and narcotics during elections till the poll process is over.

Investigations by the Ludhiana Tribune revealed that the thikri pehras had foiled attempts of the supporters of the Lok Sabha candidates to lure the voters by distributing drugs and narcotics and liquor during elections.

Apprehending that some outsiders might try to lure the voters by distributing money and liquor during nights, Deputy Commissioner VK Ohri, Sangrur, had directed the police to organise the thikri pehras at the towns and villages falling under his jurisdiction. Thefts and damage to public property were also apprehended by the district administration.

DSP Gurpreet Singh Sikand, Malerkotla, directed SHO City, Harinder Singh, and SHO Sadar, Bimal Sharma, to organise the thikri pehras in their respective areas.

Besides keeping a check on the movement of anti-social elements, including strangers, the volunteers helped the police in security at the government buildings and installations, including bridges, power transmission equipment, food grain godowns, banks, schools and post offices, particularly during nights.

Showing satisfaction over the outcome of the move, Bimal Kumar Sharma and Ravinder Puri, councillors, urged the authorities to continue organising the thikri pehras during nights till the election process was over.

“Organising the thikri pehra is more effective than the police patrolling as the volunteers are familiar with residents of the area. They can identify strangers easily and alert cops on duty to take an action against them,” argued Sharma and Puri.

Ludhiana, May 11
Municipal Commissioner GS Ghuman has marked an enquiry into an illegal construction going on at Transport Nagar and has asked zonal commissioner BK Gupta to submit a report so that he could send names of erring officials to the local bodies department in Chandigarh.

According to sources, the commissioner has issued a letter to Gupta on May 7 directing him to probe into the matter and give detail information about the officials on the part of whom there is lapses in duty that the construction has been going on.

Interestingly, this all has happened despite the fact that B-zone ATP Kamaljeet Kaur has already in a written report on April 16 stated that she could not handle the matter due to political intervention and police personnel should be deployed.

However, the ATP’s report didn’t make much difference as no police was deployed on the site and the construction went on unabated.

She again submitted the report revealing the same in May, but no response came as a respite for her.

Apart from it on May 9, the MC had planned a demolition drive at the site but suspended it due to a visit of deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal in the city.

The sources had revealed that since the construction was going on at the behest of BJP councillors and MLAs, no action would be taken till May 13.

With the commissioner ordering an enquiry into the matter seems to be just eyewash as despite repeated revelations by The Tribune, no concrete step ever came from the Municipal Corporation.

Even till today neither the police has been deployed nor has anyone gone to stop the site owner to withhold his construction.

Ludhiana, May 11
The CIA- I police busted a three-member gang, including a woman, and seized fake currency worth Rs 2.50 lakh from Haibowal here today.

Addressing a press conference, SP- (D) SK Kalia said the gang was dealing in fake notes for some time.

Kalia further said CIA- I in charge Gurpreet Singh received a tip-off that the gang was planning for a customer to sell their fake currency at Dana Mandi near Partap Singh Wala in Haibowal.

Two cops Mahinder Singh, Balkar Singh posing as customer went there to crack the deal.

After much negotiation, the accused agreed to give fake notes worth 1 lakh at price of Rs 40,000. Just when the accused were handing over the cash they were nabbed by the cops.

The accused are identified as Ramesh Kumar, a resident of Kotkapura, Surinder Kumar, a resident of Mansa and Gurpreet Kaur, wife of Surinder Kumar.

During the interrogation the accused confessed of committing the crime and said they used to manufacture the fake notes at the residence of another accomplice Bara Singh in Moga.

Jagraon, May 11
Residents of Lopon Dalla Agwar locality busted a flesh trade den today, but the police let go off the accused without taking any action.

The incident occurred in front of the Vishwakarma Bhawan, where a mother-daughter duo ran a flesh trade racket. When three customers were inside their house, the residents locked the house from outside and called the police. However, one of the accused managed to flee by scaling the boundary wall of the house.

Earlier, the residents had complained several times to the police but no action was taken. They said they had dispatched a complaint to the DIG also, but to no avail.

Meanwhile, some influential persons also reached the spot and started negotiating for a settlement. Investigations by the Ludhiana Tribune revealed that the police had set a rate of Rs 20,000 per person to let go off the accused in such cases.

Ludhiana, May 11
The probe committee, formed to look into the sexual harassment case at the PAU, summoned Dr Dulcha Singh Brar, Director, Students Welfare, today.

The committee, led by Dr Pam Rajput, questioned the DSW against whom a female employee of the varsity had levelled allegations of sexual harassment in September, 2008.

After the complaint was filed, the PAU authorities had constituted a committee headed by Dr Neelam Grewal, Dean, College of Home Science, PAU. The committee had submitted its report to the VC, Dr MS Kang, following which a charge-sheet was filed against Dr Brar.

However, Dr Brar had denied the charges. A single-member committee comprising Dr Pam Rajput was then constituted by the authorities to look into the matter. Two more members were added to the committee in April.

Ludhiana, May 11
Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minster, Punjab, has assured teachers of PAU of speedy implementation of new pay scales.

Various issues, including financial crisis of the university and pay scales, were also discussed at his meeting held today with a PAUTA delegation, led by president Dr KN Sharma, vice-president Dr Harmeet Singh Kingra, secretary Dr KS Sangha and joint secretary Dr JS Virk, Dr SK Gupta and Dr Jagjit Singh.

"The Deputy Chief Minister assured the delegation that the needful will be done at the earliest and other issues will be taken up", said Dr Kingra.

The scales have already been implemented in the ICAR and notification for implementation of the scales in the PAU has been received by the state government and the Vice-Chancellor of the university.

Ludhiana, May 11
The courses being offered by Punjab Agricutural University are becoming popular among the youth in Punjab and other states.

This is evident from the fact that the sales of prospectus of the PAU has witnessed a rise during the past one month.

The university sold prospectus worth Rs 22,59,675 so far. The sale of prospectus is likely to pick up in the next few days as the last date for it is May 12. However, the students can file their admission forms till May 19 with a late fee of Rs 500. The sale of prospectus is being made through the communication centre of the university.

Dr J.S.Dhiman, Additional Director, Communicatios and International Linkages, told The Tribune that there were two types of prospectus this year.One pertains to the self-finance courses which were introduced last year and the other of the regular courses. The prospectus for self-finance courses costs Rs 1,100 and prospectus for regular courses is sold for Rs 725 each.

Dr Dhiman said the sale of prospectus would continue even on holidays. The PAU which had a diploma course in journalism introduced a two-year postgraduate course in mass coomunication and journalism last year on demand from the students as well as the course has been made self-supporting this year.

Doraha, May 11
A medical check-up camp for junior and senior students was organised at Magnum International School here today.

Dr Dharmvir Garg, child specialist from Rajwant Hospital, Doraha, along with his team of doctors, visited the school. Students from playway to Class VII were examined.

Vaccination cards were also given among the students.

Dr Garg advised them to adopt a healthy attitude towards life.

He said they need to take balanced diet and avoid junk food, which was becoming a fashion among the young generation.

He informed them about the dietary changes with which they could keep themselves more fit and active throughout the day.

He laid stress on the intake of plenty of liquids, especially during the sweltry season.

The principal of the school expressed thanks to the doctors for sparing their time and advising the children regarding their personal hygiene.

Ludhiana, May 11
Ujala Pumps Private Limited, a multi-product Rs 100 crore company, held its dealer meet here yesterday.

Naresh Nayyar, executive director, said Ujala had branches in all state capitals, backed by a strong after-sales service network.

The company has widest range in pumps category and is already geared up to produce a threefold capacity in comparison to 2008-09.

He said with sales and service force of 250, the company was planning to penetrate deeper into the rural markets to cater to agriculture segment.

Sanjeev Gupta, managing director of the company, said three manufacturing units were located at Bhiwadi, Rajasthan, which was only 50 km 
from Delhi.

He said the company was set to achieve a turnover of Rs 200 crore, which would be 100 per cent growth in 2009-10 through its major expansion programmes, both in domestic and export markets.

According to Dushyant Tyagi, zonal manager, the plan is to enhance the dealers' network from 400 to 1,500 in Punjab and increase sales from Rs 10 crore to Rs 22 crore in 2009-10.

Ludhiana, May 11
The domestic engineering industry is up in arms against the proposed imposition of safeguard duty on hot-rolled coils which was recommended by the Panel of Secretaries of Centre and Steel Ministry.

Hot-rolled coils is a vital steel which is processed into cold- rolled and galvanised items.

These cold rolled steel items are then used by the automobile and housing sectors.

The Cold-Rolled Steel Manufacturers Association in a letter to Commerce Minister Kamal Nath, demanded the removal of the proposed duty, as it would have an adverse impact on the downstream industries, which import the steel at competitive rates.

Avtar Singh, general secretary, Chamber of Industrial and Commercial Undertakings, said this would hike the prices of the hot-rolled coils used in the small and medium sectors and make their products uncompetitive in the global market.

The average of the monthly imports of the hot-rolled coils, which was recorded at around 80,000 metric tonne during July-September, 2008, has increased by 2,30,000 metric tonne this year.

“The increase in the imports of the hot-rolled coils has squeezed the production and exports of big steel producers like ESSAR Steel, ISPAT Industry, SAIL and JSW Steel,” Avtar Singh added.

He also urged the Union Steel Ministry and Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to avoid imposition of the safeguard duty in order protect the small-scale sectors.

The Directorate-General of Safeguards (DGS) had favoured 25 per cent safeguard duty on the hot-rolled coils below $600 tonnes shipped to India. Essar and Ispat Industries had filed a petition for imposition of the safeguard duty and the same was supported by SAIL and JSW Steel.

Ludhiana, May 11
Hi Bird launched a new range of bicycles here today. The company said the new range of products had been launched keeping in view the changing trends. The new range included Hi-Bird Windrider for seniors as well as juniors, Hi-Bird Karishma for ladies and Hi Bird Penzy for kids.

The bikes are available for Rs 1,800 onwards. Chairman of Hi-Bird RD Sharma said the new generation bikes had simultaneously been launched in 80 countries, including Europe and the USA.

Ludhiana, May 11
Sethi Study Circle on Saturday organised “Horizon” in which students performed various cultural items.

A beauty contest was held in which Kapish was declared Mr Sethi Study Circle and Smriti was crowned Miss Sethi Study Circle. Roll of honour was given to Atul, while awards in cultural items were presented to Manpreet, Harsh and Jaswinder.

Jagraon, May 11
A man was murdered yesterday by a villager over an old enmity.

The accused Jaswant Singh along with his brother Buta Singh and nephew Jagjit Singh attacked the victim Lakhvir Singh (37) of Gureh village, when they found him alone.

The attack took place around 7.45 pm when Lakhvir Singh and his brother Shingara Singh were going to a barber’s shop on Sowaddi road market.

Shingara Singh started talking to someone on the way and lagged behind. Finding the victim alone, the accused attacked him with a kirpan and inflicted two wounds on his body. The injured was taken to the civil hospital, Jagraon, where doctors declared him brought dead.

The villagers nabbed Jaswant Singh on the spot and handed him over to the police, who then got him admitted to the civil hospital for the treatment of the wounds he suffered in the scuffle. However, Buta Singh and Jagjit Singh managed to flee.

Balwant Singh, in charge, the police picket of Chowkiman, said the accused had attacked the victim as he had abused their women folk.

A case under Sections 302, 34 of the IPC has been registered at the Jagraon police station on the statement of Shingara Singh.

Khanna, May 11
Two persons were booked for allegedly beating up a resident of Manggewal village.

In his complaint lodged with the police, Harinder Singh had accused Mandeep Singh and Gurpartap Singh, both residents of the same village, of beating him up over some old rivalry.

The victim was rushed to the Civil Hospital. The case under Sections 341, 323, 506, 27 and 34 of the IPC was registered against the two.

Ludhiana, May 11
St Paul International School, Malerkotla, prevailed over Government Senior Secondary School, Haibowal Khurd branch, by two wickets to emerge champions in the first edition of the Open Inter-School Rajgadh Estates Prize Money Cricket Cup Tournament (u-19) played at the S D P College for Women, Circular Road, near Daresi ground, here today.

St Paul International School won the toss and opted to field. In the stipulated 20 overs, Government Senior Secondary School made 109 runs for the loss of 8 wickets.

The main contributors were Munish and Vishwanath. Munish faced 34 balls for his innings of 41 runs while Vishwanath made 28 runs off 39 deliveries.

For St Paul International School, Younis and Mugemil shared the bowling honours. Younis captured two wickets for 15 runs in two overs while Mugemil scalped two victims in his quota of four overs after conceding 12 overs.

In reply, St Paul International School made the required 110 runs for the loss of eight overs with two overs to spare.

Sumesh Dhir top scored with 31 runs off 25 balls while Younis contributed 30 runs in 20 balls to steer their team to surpass Government Senior Secondary School's score and romp home victorious.

For the losers, Piyush and Vishwanath chipped in with two wickets each. Piyush conceded 15 runs while Vishwanath gave away 12 runs.

Piyush Lekhi of Government Senior Secondary School was declared the player of the tournament. Mugemil of St Paul International School was adjudged the best bowler while Vishwanath of Government Senior Secondary School was named the best batsman.

The winners pocketed a cash prize of Rs 11,000 and the runners-up received a cash prize of Rs 5,100. Trophies and participation certificates were give to all members of 16 participating teams.

Balraj Kumar Bhasin, president of the SDP Educational Institutions, was the chief guest at the prize distribution function. Members of the managing committee of SDP Sabha were also present on this occasion.