The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Sunday, October 14, 2001, Chandigarh, India

THE TRIBUNE SPECIALS

50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

R E G I O N A L B R I E F S

PUNJAB

AMRITSAR
7 BOOKED: A case has been registered against seven persons, including a woman, for allegedly injuring and threatening to kill Mr Sewa Singh and his wife Paramjit Kaur. An old family dispute was said to be the cause of the incident. They have been booked under Sections 341, 323, 324, 506, 148 and 149 of the IPC.

LIQUOR SEIZED: The police has seized 4,500 ml of liquor from Sonu, a resident of the gate Hakima locality here. A case has been registered under Section 61-1-41 of the Excise Act.

DEMANDS: Mr Satya Pal Gupta, president of the Government School Teachers Union, has complained of non-fulfilment of their long-pending demands, including regularisation of the daily wagers on contract basis.

HOSHIARPUR
TEACHER INJURED: A 45-year-old teacher, Ms Salochna Devi, was injured seriously when she was allegedly assaulted by some unidentified persons near the Bhangi choe here on Thursday while coming back from her school at Bassi Gulam Hussain. The assailants snatched her purse and other belongings before escaping. She was admitted to the local Civil Hospital from where she was referred to DMC, Ludhiana.

KHAMANO
INJURED: One person was seriously injured when he was attacked by another at Khant village, 7 km from here. According to information available, the mother of Sukha, Ms Nachhatar Kaur, was returning home at 5 pm from a nearby house. On the way a villager, Jaswant Singh, stopped her and caught her by the arm with a bad intention. In the meantime, her son, Sukha, reached there. When his mother told him about the incident, he went to home and returned with an axe and hit Jaswant Singh on the head. He was badly injured and rushed to the Civil Hospital, Khamano, from where he was referred to the PGI, Chandigarh. The police has registered a case under Sections 307 and 354 of the IPC.

MEETING: A meeting of the Sarab Hind Akali Dal and the Youth Akali Dal was held at Khamano mandi under the chairmanship of the Youth Akali Dal president Mr Karnail Singh Panjoli. At the meeting Mr Gurcharan Singh Ghoga and Mr Ranjit Singh Barwali were elected president and senior vice-president of the Youth Akali Dal Khamano Circle, respectively. The circle president had been authorised to nominate other office-bearers of the circle. The meeting was addressed among others by Principal Joginder Singh Khant, circle president Gurmeet Singh Saloudi, Jathedar Jagdeep Singh Luharmajra. Acts of sacrilege were also condemned during the meeting.

KHANNA
MEETING: A meeting of the officials of subdivision, Khanna, was held here under the chairmanship of SDM, Mr Pardeep Kumar Sabharwal. The EO, Municipal Council, said about 175 streetlights were not functioning in various wards, but these would be set right in the next 10 days. The SDO PWD (B and R) said patch work on roads had started and would be completed soon. The SDM asked the officials to listen to the problems of the people and to solve these at the earliest.

LUDHIANA
MELA: The preparations for the 23rd International Mohan Singh Memorial Fair to be held on October 21 and 22 are on under the presidentship of Mr Jagdev Singh Jassowal. Hundreds of singers, folk dancers and instrumentalists will participate in various contests at the mela. The participants will have a special meeting at 10 am at Punjabi Bhavan under the leadership of Mr Pargat Singh Grewal, president of the Prof Mohan Singh Memorial Foundation.

GET-TOGETHER: To inculcate good manners among tiny tots, the staff of Kundan Vidya Mandir, city branch, organised a get-together for nursery and KG students. The kids played several games and danced to the music of the latest pop numbers. A birthday party for children born in the month was also arranged in which 12 kids cut the cake together. Birthday gifts were presented to these children and the rest of them received return gifts. Ms N. Mannan, Headmistress, said the party was arranged for the kids so that they could learn the art of carrying themselves and interacting with others in a party.

ANNIVERSARY: The Punjab Internet Users Club, formed by the IT and management students of Ludhiana, celebrated its first anniversary at a discotheque here on Saturday. Hundreds of members danced to the tunes of latest pop numbers. Sumit Kakkar, president, and Viney Mohindra, secretary, said over 1500 college students had become members of the club and share the latest IT know-how with each other. A website of the organisation, www.mastpunjab.com, was also launched on the occasion.

OFFICE BEARERS: The following have been elected office-bearers of the Alumni Association of the College of Agricultural Engineering, PAU, Ludhiana (Chandigarh chapter): president — Mr H.S. Thukral; senior vice-president — Mr Hawa Singh Lohan; vice-president — Mr Harinder Pal Singh; general secretary — Mr Jagmohan Kahlon; and treasurer — Mr Sukhwant Singh Chadha.

MALERKOTLA
DEMONSTRATION: The CPM held an anti-US demonstration at the Satta chowk here on Friday to protest the US-led air strikes in Afghanistan and raised anti-US slogans. Prof Balwant Singh, State secretary of CPM, also addressed the activists.

NAWANSHAHR
SANCTIONED: Mr Raghuvir Singh, Transport Minister, Punjab released Rs 5.36 crore for development and welfare schemes in the district at a meeting of the District Planning and Development Board, said Mr Jagjit Singh, Deputy Commissioner in a press note issued here on Friday.

POPPY SEIZED: Mr Tulsi Ram, SSP, in a press note here on Saturday said the Banga police seized 22 bags of poppy husk from a truck intercepted at a naka near Mangoowal village. The police had arrested Jora Singh of Mehar Singh Wala village, Baldev Singh of Vakeelan Wala village and Kartar Singh of Lakhan Tappa village. A case under Sections 15, 61, 85 of the NDPS Act had been registered.

PATIALA
AWARD: The Patiala dealership of Maruti Udyog Limited has won the Best Balanced Dealership Award in North for the second time for the year 2000-2001. Mr Jagdish Khattar, MD, Maruti Udyog Ltd, while announcing the award lauded the role played by the dealership in the development of automobile business in the region. Mr Kuldip Singh Bhattal took the award on behalf of Hira Automobiles Limited.

PEACE MARCH: The City Welfare Association organised a communal harmony and peace march led by senior leader Bhai Paramjit Singh in the city on Saturday. The march, which was flagged off by the SSP, Mr Paramjit Singh Grewal, commenced from Vir Haqeekat Rai Park and passed through the main bazaars of the city before concluding at the local Sri Singh Sabha Gurdwara where a function was also organised on the occasion. Bhai Paramjit Singh while condemning the ‘bir’ burning incidents in the state demanded that those responsible for the sacrilege should be severely punished. Mr Harmanjit Singh Kitti, chairman of the association, Mr Pritpal Singh Uppal, general secretary, and Mr Arvind Rattan, joint secretary of the association, also attended the march.

PROCESSION: The local Anti-War Coordination Committee on Saturday organised a procession through the main bazaars of the city in protest against the US action in Afghanistan, which culminated in a rally in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office. The committee condemned the recent air strikes by the USA. Those who spoke on the occasion included Mr Kuldip Singh, Mr Harjinder Singh and Mr Gurcharan Singh.

SAMRALA
LOK ADALAT: Ten cases were decided at a lok adalat held here on Saturday under the chairmanship of Mr Ravinder Kumar, Civil Judge, Junior Division. A sum of Rs 4.51 lakh was recovered in two bank loan cases.

CONDEMNED: Members of the local Five-Star Welfare Club, Samrala, in a meeting here on Saturday, condemned the burning of “birs” of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. The members, including president of the club, Mr Karamjit Singh, demanded strict action against the miscreants. They also demanded that the dera of Baba Bhaniara should be closed down.

PLAYS STAGED: The three-day fair organised by the Guru Ravi Dass Dramatic Club concluded here on Friday. Two plays ‘Sant Ravi Dass’ and ‘Pirthi Singh Rathore’ were staged by the team of Maluk Chand Pagal of Nawanshahr Jadla. The Akas Rang Manch Samrala staged the play ‘Kudrat De Sabh Bande’ written by Tony Batish. Kamaljit Sona choreographed of the play “Dhee Di Pukar”. The local SDM, Mr S.S. Brar, Mr Kirpal Singh Khirnian, member SGPC, Mr Bhupinder Singh Benipal, former chairman, Block Samiti, Samrala, Mr Mitter Pal Singh Lovely, former president of the Nagar council, Mr Tejinder Singh Kooner, senior Congress leader, Mr Balbir Singh were among the audience. Mr Rajwinder Samrala conducted the stage.

PENSION: The Punjab State Pensioners Mahasang, in a press conference here on Saturday thanked the Government of Punjab for increasing the old-age pension by 5 and 10 per cent at the age of 65 and 75 years, respectively, from January 1, 2001. Leaders of the mahasangh demanded that the increase should be made effective from January 1, 1996, as per the recommendations of the Fourth Pay Commission.

AKHAND PATH: Mr Gurdeep Singh, sevadar of the Jatha Tapoban Dhakki Sahib, Maksudra, said here on Saturday that to atone for the misdeeds of miscreants who burnt the holy “birs” of Guru Granth Sahib, an ‘akhand path’ would be held from Sunday to Tuesday at Tapoban Dhakki Sahib. The sevadar appealed the area residents to participate in large.

CHANDIGARH

NSS CAMP: A paper reading contest on ‘Terrorism and the world scenario’ was the highlight of the concluding ceremony of the NSS fortnight camp at MCM DAV College, according to a press note said here on Saturday. Mrs Usha Gupta, principal, said it was not easy to estimate the quantity of trauma faced by the victims of terrorism. Dr C.L. Narang, Director NSS, Panjab University, was the chief guest on the occasion. The winners included Nidhi Pandey, Alka and Sharandeep. The college also selected three students for the pre-Republic Day camp. They were Payal Pruthi, Nidhi Passi and Shveta Parikh.

TALK HELD: Astrology is a definite science and human behaviour of a person depends on it. This was opined by Ms Urja Sarpal, while addressing the post graduate students of Commerce at Government College, Sector 46, here on Saturday. The talk covered the basic knowledge about 12 zodiac signs and their ‘inherent traits’. She also dewelled on the impact of elements — fire, earth, water and ear — on these signs. Dr Jagat Jerath, Department of Psychology, cautioned the use of astrology.

MOCK TEST CONDUCTED: A mock test for MBA courses for the admission to CAT was organised by the Commerce Department of Government College, Sector 11. The test was organised in association with Egurucool.com learning centre. Over 160 students from various disciplines appeared for the test. After the test, a seminar was held in the college hall in the presence of Mr Dewesh Mehta of Egurucool.com, for open discussion. The Principal, Dr S.N. Singla, presided over the function. The head of Commerce, Prof J.K. Dass, gave a vote of thanks.

APPOINTED: Mr Jai Bhagwan Singla has been appointed Additional State Chief Organiser of the Chandigarh Territorial Sewa Dal. A press note issued by Mr Prahlad Yadav, chief organiser of the All India Congress Sewa Dal, stated that his appointment was made by Mr Manmohan Singh, in charge of the Chandigarh State unit of the Congress Sewa Dal.

INTER-SCHOOL COMPETITION: The local Rotaract Club on Saturday organised its seventh annual inter-school competition at the Sector 10 Arts Gallery. A press note issued by the club stated that this year’s event was named after Kanika Gupta, who lost her life in a car accident. Nearly 700 students, drawn from 20 schools from Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula, took part in the competition. A declamation on “homework and outdated concept” was organised. The first prize was bagged by Hansraj Public School, while the second prize went to the Ajit Karam Singh International Public School. The third prize went to St Kabir School.

SUICIDE BID: A 40-year-old woman reportedly tried to end her life by consuming some acid here on Saturday. She was admitted to the General Hospital, Sector 16, and her condition was said to be stable. According to police sources, Ms Usha Malhotra, a Sector 23 resident, took acid because of some family problem.

SEMINAR: Around 50 students participated in the seminar “Emerging opportunities in insurance sector”, conducted by the UGCE- Insurance Institute for Education and Training here . The seminar was conducted for the students of Institute of Cost and Work Accountants of India.

SOCIAL SECURITY MONTH: The LIC will observe this month as the Social Security Month. The LIC will conduct seminars and functions throughout the country to create awareness about various social security group schemes for the economically weaker sections.

DANCE COMPETITION: Nearly 60 contestants between the age group of five and 16 participated in ‘Dekh Lengen’ dance competition organised at Bal Bhavan, Sector 23, here on Saturday. The contestants were divided in four categories — five to eight years, nine to 12 years, six to 18 years and 13 to15 years. The chief guest of the function was general secretary of the Chandigarh Vikas Party, Dr O. P. Verma. The competition was organised by Donza Entertainment.

SAS NAGAR
PROTEST MARCH: Members of the local Gurdwara committee would join a protest march at Balongi village on Wednesday, being held from Tarkhan Majra village after the incidents of sacrilege in different parts of the state in the past few weeks. Mr Hardeep Singh, a member of the SGPC, said the procession would end at Chandigarh. TNS

HARYANA

SONEPAT
CM’S VISIT: Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala, paid a surprise visit to foodgrain markets at Gohana and Kharkhauda towns in the district on Friday to take stock of paddy procurement by official agencies.

LICENCES SUSPENDED: The District Food and Supplies Controller has suspended the licences of eight fair price shops in the district following detection of irregularities. The Controller also has ordered an inquiry against the owner of a petrol station on a similar charge.

OFFICE-BEARERS: The following have been elected office-bearers of the Income Tax Employees Federation, Sonepat: president — Mr M.P. Gupta; secretary — Mr Anil Malhotra; assistant secretary — Ms Bimla Devi; and treasurer — Mr Raje Ram.

WOMAN MURDERED: A Nepalese woman was allegedly murdered by a youth at Badh Malik village, about 15 km from here, on Friday. The Rai police has registered a case. A dispute over the distribution of stolen goods was stated to be the cause of the murder.

KILLED: Two persons were killed on the spot in separate accidents on the G.T. road, near Murthal, 8 km from here on Friday. One of the victims, hailing from Shimla, was working as a helper with the driver of a truck, the other victim is yet to be identified.

INAUGURATION: Mr G. Jethwani, Chief General Manager, Haryana Telecom, inaugurated a website at a function here on Friday. Mr Kishan Singh Sangwan, a BJP MP, presided over the function. Mr R.C. Hooda and Mr Chander Shekhar, General Manager and Deputy General Manager, Telecom, respectively, of Sonepat Telecom District were among those present on the occasion.

YAMUNANAGAR
ELECTED: The following have been elected office-bearers of the legal cell of the District Congress Committee: chairman — Mr Jagir Singh Deswal; convener — Mr Seth Pal; vice-chairman — Mr Shiv Ram Kaile and Mr Mahender Singh Chauhan; general secretaries — Mr Satinder Danda and Mr K.D. Bakshi; and secretary — Mr Sunil Kamboj.

EMBEZZLEMENT: The police has registered a case against an employee of the cooperative society of Labana village in Yamunanagar district on the charge of embazzlement of Rs 2 lakh. Mr Ajmer Singh, a member of the society, in a complaint has alleged that the society has been duped of lakhs of rupees by allegedly forging documents and tampering with the accounts. The case has been registered under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471 and 34 of the IPC.