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Train Tragedy Residents want solution, not aid Mohit Khanna Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, May 20 Meanwhile, local residents were agitated over the incident and refused to accept the compensation offered by leaders. Gurnam Singh of Kandola Kalan said, “Is Rs 1-lakh compensation a solution to the problem?” Three students, Manpreet Kaur (12), Simran (14) and Komal Preet (10) from Phillur Tehsil, died on the way to the hospital. Driver of the van Gurmail Singh of Gumtala village and a student succumbed to injuries in a hospital at Noormahal. The injured have been identified as Sukhwinder Singh (12), Mankaran Singh (8), Prabhjeet Singh (8), Rajdeep Kaur (10), Khushneet Kaur (6), Balraj Kaur (6), Love Preet Kaur (13), Gurpreet (13), Muskan Singh (5), Gurwinder Singh, Navjot Kaur, Harpreet Kaur, Navdeep Singh, Surjit Singh, Sukhpal and Saranjit Kaur. A majority of the injured students were from Dalla village. The parents of children alleged that the unmanned crossing at Gumtala had become a death trap. Many accidents at the crossing had been reported in the past. Four students of PTM Arya Girls College, Noormahal had died and 16 sustained injuries when Dhanbad Express rammed into a bus carrying the students at the same level crossing two year ago. Meanwhile, Sonu, who was travelling on the passenger train, said: “The school van was dragged up to nearly 400 m. The van was totally crushed under the train. Many children got trapped inside the van”. It was only after the train was reversed that the children could be rescued. All students sustained leg injuries as their legs were crushed in the wreckage, said Sonu. Concern was evident on the face of Jaswinder Singh, whose niece and nephew Navjot Kaur and Navdeep Singh sustained multiple injuries and their condition was stated to be serious. “They are the most loved ones in our family and that was the reason why we wanted to give them quality education,” Jaswinder. Surinder Kaur, mother of five-year-old Muskan said: “My daughter was reluctant to go to school, but I forced her to go. Had I accepted her request, she would have been fine,” she rued. Harpreet Kaur Sahni, principal, Akal Academy, said the van was hired privately by parents and used to ferry 20 or 25 children daily to the school.
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Srishti tops in science with 97.2 pc
Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, May 20 All the top positions in the city have been bagged by students of Kundan Vidya Mandir (KVM) and Sacred Heart Convent School, Sarabha
Nagar.
Aayushi Katyal of Sacred Heart and Sunny Baweja of KVM share the first position in the commerce stream by securing 97.2 per cent. Srishti Arora of KVM topped the medical stream by scoring 97.2 per cent followed by Kusha Gramani of Sacred Heart with 95.6 per cent and Shagun of DAV Public School with 95.4 per cent. In the non-medical stream, Akshit Peer topped with 96.4 per cent while Anubha Gupta of KVM stood second with 96.2 per cent followed by Nikhita of DAV Public School and Gurjot Singh of Guru Nanak Public School who secured 95.8 per cent. In humanities, Harmilinjot Kaur of Sacred Heart topped followed by Rohini Jain of KVM with 94 per cent. Babita Katyal, mother of Aayushi Katyal, said her daughter worked very hard and was tense, but the family was sure of her performance. Anubha Gupta said he was simply thrilled with his score. Principal Rajiv Nagalia of KVM School said the indomitable spirit, collective dedication and unflinching support of all had paid off.
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Pickpockets have field day at DMCH
Ludhiana, May 20 Parents were inconsolable and were not concerned about where they had left their purses and the pickpockets lost no opportunity to steal the valuables. As the entire DMCH security was pressed into service to control the crowd and politicians, it could not keep a check on these unscrupulous people. A worried relative of an injured girl said: “We are already under immense stress as we do not know what will happen to our child and to make matters worse, people are behaving in such a manner.” The pickpockets took advantage of the chaotic scene and stole the purses of residents of Dalla village and
Noor Mahal. “I was going inside the emergency to check the condition of my son. When I reached for my purse to get out a card, it was missing. I don’t know what to do,” Prtipal Singh Palli said. |
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VC seeks detailed report on ragging
Ludhiana, May 20 Dr SS Gill, Vice-Chancellor of the university, told The Tribune that he had asked Dr Ravinder Kochhar, principal of Lord Mahavira college to submit a detailed report in the case at the earliest. He said: “I had a detailed discussion with the principal today and he told me that it was the case of personal rivalry and not ragging. He also told me that all three students against whom the complaint had been filed had been suspended. Still, I want a detailed report in this matter.” Meanwhile, the victim, Amit Gupta, today alleged that he was being regularly pressured to reach a compromise with the accused. Amit Gupta had filed a complaint that he was beaten up and humiliated by three students of the college. Following the complaint, an FIR was lodged against the three, who were later suspended by the college authorities. |
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Septuagenarian booked for murder bid
Ludhiana, May 20 Gurbachan Singh sustained bullet injuries and was taken to hospital. The police has nabbed her six accomplices, but the women is at large. The accused have been identified as Harjit Singh, Jaswinder Singh, Talwinder Singh, Gaurav Sharma, Raj Kumar and Surinder Singh. According to the police, Surjit Kaur first sold the land situated at Jaspal Bangar village to Paramjit Singh, but later tried to grab the land. Finding no legal way to get the land back, she opted to grab the land and send the goons last evening while Paramjit Singh and his relative Gurbachan Singh and Bachitar Singh were supervising the construction activity on the plot.
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Police inaction under scanner
Kanchan Vasdev Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, May 20 Had the police pursued that complaint, the state exchequer would have been saved of losses on account of the recent scam that may run into crores. A year ago, a deed writer, Parmeshwar Singh, had submitted a complaint to the former SSP, Rajesh Kumar Jaiswal, when he had come across a fake stamp paper of Rs 20,000 denomination. Jaiswal had marked the complaint to the economic offences wing in charge, JS Mangat. The police, however, failed to nab the accused and the racket continued for a year. Investigations by The Tribune revealed that the fake stamp papers at that time were presented by a migrant, Janardan, who bought a house on Dhandra road a year ago. He fled the city when he found that the police was looking for him. Despite the complaint mentioning stamp vendor Ravinder Pal’s name, who was booked yesterday, the police did not take any action. The investigation was stopped and the racketeers had a field day for a year. Parmeshwar’s name has again appeared in the racket. He has been called to the EO wing for further investigation. “There is another angle to the investigation. Why did the police not take any action at that time? It is a limit that a person is complaining of a fake stamp paper scam and no action is taken. The country has already seen the Telgi scam. It is shocking that no action was taken,” a revenue official said on the condition of anonymity. He said many skeletons would come out of the closet once the scam would be unearthed. The SP (City-I), who has been entrusted with the inquiry, was not available for comments.
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SAD activists start introspection
Raikot, May 20 The workers were asked to give their opinion on the cause of the defeat. Though different opinions and suggestions emerged, it was concluded that despite several MPs and MLAs were elected since independence, there was no development in the area seen by the voters. Master Gurdev Singh Hansra of Kamalpura village went to the extent of saying that some of the Akali MPs never cared to look back at Raikot assembly constituency after winning. He said they never showed up even to thank the voters. The meeting, however, concluded with the suggestion that the voters should be approached to learn the cause of the defeat. It was unanimously agreed that they would be working hard as one does in the panchayat election, taking personal interest in all future elections so that they could be giving a befitted reply to their opponents. Inder Iqbal Singh Atwal addressed the gathering and thanked the Akali workers and voters for working for the success of his father Charanjit Singh Atwal. He said what mattered was the intention of the workers and their hard work and the result was a secondary thing. A delegation from Raikot was sent for campaigning for the SAD candidate in Noormahal assembly by-election.
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PSEB in denial mode as cuts continue
Ludhiana, May 20 A number of residential and commercial areas around Old Sabzi Mandi, including Daresi Road, Chaura Bazar, Bahadaur House, Mata Rani Road, Old GT Road, Partap Bazar and Meena Bazar, remained without power for over three hours this afternoon after main cable of one of the four transformers installed in the Sabzi Mandi substation was damaged. Similarly, localities like Rajguru Nagar, New Rajguru Nagar, Threeke, Lal Bagh, Jagjit Nagar, Housing Board Colony and J-block Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar had a power shutdown for four hours from 8 am to 12 pm. Power supply also remained suspended for five to six hours during the day in other areas including Urban Estate, Phase I; HIG, Phase I; LIG, Phase I; Urban Vihar; Punjabi Bagh; Jawaddi Kalan; Jawaddi Khurd; New Punjab Mata Nagar; Gagan Deep colony; New Kailash Nagar; Shimla Colony; Laxmi Colony; Amrit Vihar; Jaswal Colony; Guru Vihar; Ekta Colony; Preet Vihar; Kakowal Road; Kuldeep Nagar and Janta Colony. The PSEB officials said power supply to these localities was suspended with prior information about maintenance work, which was required to streamline the distribution network to meet the increased load of power supply during peak summer season. Talking to The Tribune, Deputy Chief Engineer, city east circle, HS Randhawa said the city had a vast transmission and distribution network with half a dozen 220 KV, over two dozen 66 KV grid substations, 400 (11 kV) feeders and around 10,000 transformers. As the load on the distribution network increases during peak summer season because of air-conditioners, the number of technical faults also goes up in one or the other locality in the city, which is not uncommon. “Even though the maintenance shutdowns cause a bit of temporary inconvenience to residents, ultimately with upgrade of transformers, laying new LT or PVC cables, consumers are benefitted in the long run by way of qualitative improvement in power supply,” he added.
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CBSE affiliated schools score 100 per cent result
Ludhiana, May 20 The result has shown a stiff competition among the CBSE affiliated schools. There is a qualitative change in the results this time. Almost all the schools have shown 100 per cent results. As many as 126 students of Greenland Senior Secondary Public School appeared for the examinations and 10 students got above 90 per cent marks. Avinash Kaur Walia, director, Spring Dale Public School, maintains that result of her school is 100 per cent in the medical and humanities stream. Out of 329 students of BCM Arya Model Senior Secondary School, 328 students have secured first division. 66 students have secured more than 90 per cent marks and 126 students have got more than 80 per cent marks. Similarly, students of Guru Nanak Public School, Sacred Heart Covent School, Sarabha Nagar, KVM and DAV Public School have shown 100 per cent result. Not only this, some students have secured 100 out of 100 in some subjects. Aditi Bhardwaj of KVM has secured 100 per cent marks in music and Surbhi Thapar of the same school has scored 100 per cent in business studies. Ayushi Katyal of Sacred Heart Convent School has also secured 100 out of 100 in business studies. Sunny Baweja and Anubhav Gupta of KVM School have secured 100 out of 100 in mathematics.
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‘Apathetic attitude’ of civil hospital staff irks patients
Ludhiana, May 20 In a recent case, Laxmi (57), a resident of Amarpura, suffered from a head injury and was sutured at the emergency at the civil hospital. But the problem started when Laxmi’s son Inder took her for removal of the stitches as the doctors and paramedical staff showed unwillingness to remove the stitches. “I approached almost all the doctors, including the SMO at the civil hospital, for three days for the removal of stitches, but they all refused. Also, my mother was feeling very restless as her stitches had dried up and stiffened,” rued Inder. SMO, civil hospital, Dr Harvinder on the other hand denied any rude behaviour on the part of the staff in the hospital. He admitted the delay in removal of the stitches of the woman in question adding, “It was a matter of chance that the boy and her mother came on the operative days of the surgeons, who had to remove the stitches.” Interestingly, the complainant further stated that there was no doctor at the time of application of the stitches as the job was done by one of the pharmacists on duty. A group of attendants, while talking to The Tribune, stated that they, too, had suffered on account of unsympathetic attitude of the staff at the civil hospital. “Neither the doctors, nor the nurses are ready to even answer to our simple queries pertaining to the well-being of our patients,” complained an attendant of a patient undergoing treatment at the civil hospital.
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Industry abhors move to hike power tariff
Ludhiana, May 20 The Chamber of Industrial and Commercial Undertaking held a meeting today in this regard under the chairmanship of Charanjit Singh
Vishivkarma. The members criticised the policy of the PSEB to revise and increase the tariff of all categories. The association has already submitted details of objections against the petition of annual revenue requirement revision of tariff for the financial year 2009-10 by the
PSEB, Patiala, to the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission, Chandigarh. Discussing other problems, the members added that meters were fixed on walls outside the premises of all categories of connections and it was difficult to look after the equipment. In certain cases, mischievous elements vandalised equipment causing undue harassment to innocent consumers. The association urged that meters should be installed on poles to avoid vandalism. Association secretary Pardeep Wadhawan said the industry was passing through a difficult phase and there was slump and recession in the market. Public, consumers and industry could not bear additional burden of increased tariff. Meanwhile, the Chamber of Industrial and Commercial Undertaking has opposed the move of the PSERC to hike/review tariff. Chamber’s general secretary Avtar Singh said chamber had brought it to the notice of the PSERC chairman that instead of hiking the tariff, the PSEB should reduce transit loss of coal and curb the menace of theft of energy. “The board has been hiking power tariff every now and then instead of following the directions given by the
PSERC. The industry is already passing through recession and will not be able to bear this extra burden,” he said.
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NGO to preserve endangered tree species
Ludhiana, May 20 Foundation president Balwinder Singh told The Tribune that it would work towards conserving endangered tree species in the state. They will collect tree seeds or seedlings to prepare a seed bank of endangered species. The NGO plans to develop state-wide tree heritage parks to have all these species at suitable locations. A tree heritage park will be set up at the university to plant specimens of endangered indigenous trees. The site near the museum of rural life has been finalised in consultation with the estate officer. Balwinder Singh added that the entire work would be done under the guidance of experts like Dr APS Gill, former head, department of landscaping and floriculture, PAU. Once identified, the propagation of seeds would be done in traditional and biotechnological methods. “For this, we need the support of youngsters. Foundation members will motivate youth to take up activities related to tree plantation and conservation. We aim to organise, promote and support seminars/ workshops/ exhibitions for tree conservation,” added Balwinder Singh. The foundation will generate awareness among all sections of society regarding judicious use of natural resources and promoting tree culture.
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Work on bypass moves at snail’s pace
Jyotika Sood Tribune News Service
Gill (Ludhiana), May 20 He said the amount of work wasn’t huge in comparison to the time that was being taken to finish it. Kulwant Singh, another resident, said: “We were really excited when the work on the bypass began, as it would have brought major relief to both residents and traffic. The main road that goes from the village was narrow and whenever heavy vehicles like truck trailers or heavy machinery were to pass, it often led to traffic jams, causing a lot of inconvenience.” He added that most accidents took place on Sundays, as the vehicular movement was maximum that day. They would not get respite until the bypass was built, he said. A woman said: “The road is dangerous for children and we tell them not to take the main road. I don’t know why people shun work and keep lingering it on. The area residents are suffering and the public money is being wasted.” Gurdial Singh, a resident of the village, added: “The work on bypass started with much gusto but it slowed down and now it has come to a crawl.” The residents complained that the contractor and the authorities had been taking work for granted and villagers were at the receiving end. The bypass has been one of the major demands of the villagers.
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Dengue
Ludhiana, May 20 According to sources, the officials suggested the municipal corporation not to conduct fogging operations during dengue outbreak as it did not serve any purpose. The Municipal Commissioner asked the health officials to hand over directions to them in writing from the Central Government. Talking to The Tribune, Ghuman revealed that the corporation along with the health department officials would form special teams to check the outbreak of epidemic in the city and all efforts would be made to keep situation in control. He added that sanitary inspectors and senior officials were made part of the meeting so that a discussion could be held and all lacunae witnessed last year could be overcome. Dr Mangla, an epidemic specialist from the health department, said: “Fogging conducted by the civic body is of no use as the method of spraying is just limited to roads. The chemical used for fogging stays effective just for a day or so and it’s not possible to hold fogging operations daily in every area.” He said: “We have suggested the MC officials to keep a check on water stagnation in all areas as was the breeding ground for dengue mosquito.” He added that he had already submitted a report on precautionary measures in January. The health officials revealed that fogging had become a political gimmick for the local municipal councillors and residents needed to change their mind set. They should try not to allow water collection in and around their houses. Last year, dengue became a topic of criticism for municipal corporation and the health department as over 100 deaths were reported.
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Rare surgery gives 2-yr-old new lease of life
Ludhiana, May 20 The two-year-old child with complaint of increased urine output and periodic vomiting along with mild fever for the past over 15 days was referred to a local private hospital for further management. The child, on investigation and MRI, showed a 2.5x2.4cm lesion in the seller and supra-sellar area, which was diagnosed radiographically as tumour. His blood tests showed that patient was also having diabetic inspidis. Addressing a news conference here today, Dr Manoj K Sobti, who performed the surgical procedure on the child with assistance from Dr Harman Sobti and Dr Raman Sikka, said the right “temporo-parietal craniotomy” and excision of tumour was done with microscope. “During the surgery, it was felt that the lesion was not a tumour but some infective pathology, which was later confirmed as ‘tuberculoma’ histopathologically.” Post-operative course was uneventful and urine output of the child had decreased. The child was put on anti-tubercular therapy with satisfactory results. According to Dr Sobti, review of the related medical literature had revealed that tuberculoma of this part of the brain (sellar area) was quiet rare and even rarer in children. The first such case was reported by Coleman and Meredith in 1940. Another study had led to conclusion that so far only 16 such cases had been reported in the whole world and this might be the 17th case of the rare condition. Dr Sobti suggested that in small children who could not describe minor changes like increased urinary output and vomiting should not be ignored. He added that tuberculosis should be kept as differential diagnosis in the case of tumour of sellar region, especially if associated with contrast enhancement. Most of these patients were negative for systemic tuberculosis.
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IT industry cries for attention
Ludhiana, May 20 Besides, the city lacks the status of information technology hub on a par with that of Bangalore and Gurgaon. “Although the Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA) and the Punjab Pollution Control Board have allowed the setting up of information technology industrial units in residential areas as mentioned in the earlier Punjab Information Technology Industrial Policy, we have been deprived of the facilities,” alleged Vinod Loomba, president of Punjab Electronics Industries Association. He added that the PSEB was not granting commercial connections to their units. “There is a need to prepare a clear Punjab Information Technology Policy that must be acceptable to all departments. Also, an IT hub should be created in the city,” added
Loomba.
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Fire breaks out at furniture shop
Ludhiana, May 20 Eyewitnesses said the board caught fire and the situation became tense because the shop stored wooden material and some of it caught fire. Shopkeepers from nearby shops rushed with buckets of water to douse the flames. “It is a four-storeyed building and all shops in this row have wood and furniture material that can easily catch fire. We are trying our best to control the fire,” shopkeepers said. Within a few minutes, fire engines came and doused the flames. The shopowner, Jasbir Singh Khurana, said: “The board caught fire due to a short circuit as there were power cables and tubelights fitted inside it.” He said two fire engines were pressed into service and it took half hour to control the fire. He said he incurred a loss of around Rs 50,000.
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Freshers’ party at Desh Bhagat College
Mandi Gobindgarh, May 20 Vice-chairperson Tajinder Kaur was also present. College principal Dr Loveleen Kaur welcomed the newcomers and praised them for choosing the traditional system of medicine. Solo dance, choreography, bhangra and giddha were among the different flavours of programme. Manjinder Singh and Isha Sharma won Mr Fresher and Miss Fresher title, respectively. While, in boys category Histesh was honoured with Mr Charming and Deeksha Kalia was honoured with Miss Charming title. The chairman gave away prizes to the winners. Among those present were Prof Shalini Gupta, director general of Desh Bhagat Group of Institutes, principals, staff members and students of the college.
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80 pc amount given to farmers: SDM
Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, May 20 The remaining 20 per cent amount will be handed over soon, he added. Chhatwal said the share of income tax from the amount had been deposited with the government treasury. He appealed to the land owners to get refund of the amount and should make their PAN card from the income tax department. He said those who had not received 80 per cent payment so far could contact the patwari of the village concerned or office of the SDM, Ludhiana (east).
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Village extension training for students
Ludhiana, May 20 According to a pressnote, about 90 students will attend the training as part of their study programme. Students will work in small groups of eight students each in 12 villages, including Pona, Chimna, Malik, Bodalwala, Sherpur Kalan, Swaddi Khurd, Sherpur Khurd, Galib Kalan, Galib Khurd, Galib Ran Singh and Talwandi Malian. The training will provide first-hand learning experience to the students to undertake various activities performed by field extension workers in real life situation and help them become good workers to serve the farming community.
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New courses at Kamla Lohtia College
Ludhiana, May 20 Deepak Kaushal, principal of KLSD College, said other than this the college was chalking out various incentive plans for girl students, sports and meritorious students. Apart from degree and post-graduate courses, the college has also been offering admission in post-graduate diploma in international business from the last session.
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Pranika, Vanya win poetry contest
Ludhiana, May 20
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Quiz contest
Ludhiana, May 20
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Man gets 10-year jail in narcotics case
Ludhiana, May 20 He was ordered to undergo rigorous imprisonment for 10 years. He was also directed to pay a fine of Rs 1 lakh. Poppy husk weighing 60 kg was recovered from the accused. An FIR was lodged against the accused at Humbran police station on January 29, 2006, under Section 15 of the NDPS Act. According to prosecution, a police party was going from Bhundri village to Humbran village. The accused had kept two bags on the back seat of scooter. On seeing the police party near Aliwal chowk, he tried to go back but his scooter slipped and he fell down. Following suspicion, the police party apprehended him. Upon search, poppy husk was recovered from the bags. However, the accused claimed false implication in the case. But after appreciating the evidence on record, the court found him guilty and sentenced accordingly.
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One held with 60-kg poppy husk
Raikot, May 20 When the ASI was about to search the truck, the accused refused to allow him to do so. They asked him to bring any gazetted officer for conducting the search. The ASI narrated
the incident to SHO Tehal Singh and DSP, Raikot, Narinder Pal Singh Ruby was called on the spot. The police recovered 60 kg poppy husk hidden in two bags under the seat of the driver. Though the police had arrested Harpal Singh, Baldev Singh managed to escape from the scene. A case has been registered against the accused under Sections 15, 25, 61, 85 of the NDPS Act.
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