NEIGHBOURHOOD

Four killed, three hurt in mishap
Our Correspondent

Bassi Pathana, November 12
The residents of Bassi Pathana sub-division are facing a great difficulty in getting their work done due to the transfer of SDM.

It has become the most neglected sub-division of the state, which does not have any permanent officer now to provide good governance. The sub- division had only one permanent SDM, who has been transferred to Amloh sub-division.Similarly, there is no permanent executive officer, sectional officer, and accountant in the council to sort out the woes of the public.

The residents of this historic town, which is known all over the country for donating maximum units of blood, are crying over the government apathy. Bassi Pathana is perhaps the only town where the population is decreasing every year as the people are deserting their native town due to lack of basic civic amenities. The municipal council is without any source of income and does not have any funds to pay the employees’ salaries.

PSEB had been disconnecting the streetlights and water supply connections due to non-payment of bills. The local civil hospital lacks facilities, there is an x-ray machine but no radiographer and ultrasound machine.

Council president Kulbhushan Malhotra said it looked as if the town had become forlorn as there was nobody to hear people’s problems here.

BJP leader Sushil Singla said if the executive officer was posted permanently, most of the problems could be solved.

Advocate Amardeep Singh Dharni said no government had cared for the development of the area.

Social worker Ashok Tulani, commission agent Rajesh Singla and advocate BB Verma expressed concern over the deteriorating situation of the sub-division. They demanded the government should immediately post permanent officers and announce a special package for the area as Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, had sanctioned grants worth crores for Patiala.

Bassi Pathana has recently been made a new reserve assembly segment and no political leader from the ruling party or the Opposition had cropped up into prominence so far, who could help the town, the residents said. 

Ambala, November 12
Around 10,000 cases pending in the various courts here will be disposed of in Mega Lok Adalat, which will be organised on December 20 and 21 in the Ambala Court Complex.

District and Sessions Judge, Ambala, BM Bedi, said here today the necessary arrangements for the success of this unique Lok Adalat were being done. He said cases relating to road accident claim and petition of the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, dowry cases, property and rent cases would be dealt within this adalat.

He further said the cases would be settled with a mutual consensus. He said every Saturday local lok adalats were being organised in the court complex so that the cases could be identified for Mega Lok Adalat. He said any client who wanted to settle his case with mutual understanding could contact Chief Judicial Magistrate Parveen Gupta on the court premises.

Fatehgarh Sahib: A mega lok adalat would be held here on December 20 and 21. District Sessions Judge Surinder Kumar Gupta said here on Monday small feuds and quarrels would be settled in the mega lok adalat.

He said people were being sensitised to reach in the adalat to get quick justice. Information centres had been set up in the district for more details. A function was organised at Khera block to popularise mega adalats, where in, the deputy commissioner and other district officials were also present. 

Rajpura, November 12
The Rajpura police today arrested four people with five quintal of poppy husk while they were transporting the contraband in an Army truck. A Jabalpur-based firm was supposed to hand over the truck to the Army men in Udhampur.

The registration of the brand new truck was yet to be done by the authorities. Police officials said the truck was manufactured somewhere near Jabalpur and the private contractors were going to deliver the truck in Udhampur via Ambala and Rajpura.

The police officials got a tip-off from sources in Ambala that some contraband was coming towards Rajpura in an Army truck. The cops laid a naka near Ambala toll barrier this morning. The police found 18 sacks containing five quintals of poppy husk in the truck.

The accused revealed that they were carrying the contraband from Jabalpur to sell it off at a higher price in Punjab and Udhampur.

The accused have been identified as driver Mahboob of Jabalpur, Samir Khan of Madhya Pradesh, Sanjay Rathore, Mukesh Rathore, Sanjay and Rajat Bansal of Rajasthan.

All accused have been arrested in this case. Police officials revealed that there was no role of Army men in the case as the truck was yet to be handed over to them.

The officials said the owner of Jabalpur-based private firm, Bawa Chadurvedi Company, would also be contacted for investigations.

A case in this connection has been registered at city police station, Rajpura.

Kharar, November 12
Chandar Shekhar Aggarwal, a commission agent, sustained burn injuries today when two unidentified youths threw acid on him.

The incident took place at 5.30 pm, when Aggarwal was standing outside his shop in the grain market. Two youth came on a bullet motorcycle and poured a mug full of acid on him. Aggarwal tried to escape, but sustained burns on his chest, feet, face and ears. He cried for help and people around rushed to help him. He was taken to the civil hospital, Kharar and later referred to the PGI, Chandigarh.

Aggarwal had been running M/s Ved Prakash Aggarwal Company with his brother Jaipal Aggarwal, who had been ill for past sometime. Eyewitnesses said the number plate of the motorcycle was covered with a cloth. A woman tea-vendor in the grain market told the police that the motorcycle-borne youths had been making rounds of the grain market for past several minutes. They had even bought eatables from her.

She also told the police that around six months ago, someone had broken windows of Aggarwal’s car. She suspected that the same youths to have poured acid on Aggarwal. “She said the identity of the youths in both incidents was almost same,” said SHO (city) Manjit Singh.

The SHO added old enmity seems to be the reason behind the crime. The police has booked a case against the unknown accused.

Kharar, November 12
A 12-year-old girl was allegedly abducted from Mannkheri village here at 8.15 am today. The accused took her on a motorcycle to some nearby place and later gave her money to board a bus back home. The girl returned at 11.15 am.

Meanwhile, her parents had informed the police and were looking for her. The girl said a motorcycle-borne youth approached her and told her that her mother had met with an accident. She then went with the youth, who took her to a secluded place and later left her at the bus stand and gave her some money.

The DSP, Raj Balwinder Singh Sandhu, said the girl used to park her cycle in a house near her school in Gharuan. When she was about to leave with him, the woman in the house asked her where she was going. “She told the woman that her mother had met with an accident and she was going to see her. The word spread around and her parents grew suspicious and informed us,” he said.

The police has not ruled out the possibility of a molestation. The police tried to question the girl, but she refused to divulge any details. Asked about the bus ticket, she said she had thrown it. The girl’s parents have refused to file a complaint. 

Fatehgarh Sahib, November 12
The Fatehgarh Sahib police today arrested one person with illegal drugs during a special naka near Rajindergarh village on the G.T. Road.

The accused has been identified as Bablu Lamba who was carrying the drugs worth Rs 50,000 in an Indigo car near the village. The Mulepur police laid a naka on a tip-off and arrested the accused.

Patiala, November 12
The Vishwakarma Mandir Committee of Sanaur, a satellite town of Patiala, is organising a free eye camp on the temple premises from November 15. Raj Kumr Babbu, president, and Dr Anil Rooprai, vice-president of the Vishwakarma Mandir Committee, said here that a team of doctors from the Patiala Eye Hospital and Lasik Laser Centre, led by its chief consultant Dr Sukhdip S. Boparai and Dr Anuradha Raj, would examine the patients and also perform phaco surgeries.

Dr Boparai said during the free phaco camp, patients diagnosed with cataract would undergo phaco emulsification and free intraocular lens implant. The organisers had also organised free food and medicines for the patients coming to the camp.

The Patiala Eye Hospital is performing almost all kinds of microscopic eye surgeries under topical and local anaesthesia. It has been organising free eye check-up camps in the rural areas of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan with the help of non-governmental organisations and social service organisations. This includes phaco emulsification with intraocular lens implant for the poor and needy patients free of cost.

Patiala, November 12
The Punjabi University Inter-Zonal Youth Festival got off to a colourful start at the University’s Guru Tegh Bahadur Hall here today.

While inaugurating the festival, vice-chancellor, Dr Jaspal Singh, said Punjabi University was in the process of getting transformed into a “nerve centre” of Punjab culture and ethos. Every effort would be made for the preservation of glory of various genres of Punjabi culture before these were lost into the oblivion, he said.

Dr Satish Kumar Verma, director youth welfare, said recommended and commended teams from 170 colleges affiliated to the university were divided into six zones and participated in 29 items in the festival.

The campus teams stole the limelight by winning top positions in five of the six items in which the competitions were held today. Their participants notched first positions in Clay Modeling, Rangoli, Geet/Gazal recital, Quiz and Giddha competitions.

The only team that broke Punjabi University’s clean sweep was that of Government College, Mohali, which won the first position in on-the-spot painting event. Karamdip Kaur of Government College of Physical Education, Patiala, however, clinched the title of “Best Dancer”.

Noted Punjabi folk singers Pammi Bai and Satwinder Bugga regaled the audience with their mesmerising performances. Dr MS Saini, dean, academic affairs, Dr Manjit Singh, colleges dean, SK Ahluwalia, former commissioner, Patiala, principal Harinder Kaur and director of Haryana Punjabi Sahit Academy, Dr CR Modgil, presided over different sessions on the first day.

Results: Clay modelling: University Campus 1, Mata Gujri College, Fatehgarh Sahib 2, Malwa College, Bathinda 3, Khalsa College, Patiala 4; Rangoli: University Campus 1, Guru Nanak College, Budhladha 2, Ramji Dass College for Women, Malerkotla 3, Government College, Ropar 4.

Geet/Gazal: University Campus 1, Govt Barjindra College, Faridkot 2, Govt College Malerkotla 3, University College, Rampura Phul 4

Quiz: University Campus 1, University Regional Centre , Bathinda 2, University College, rampura Phul 3, DAV College, Bathinda 4;

On-the-Spot Painting: Govt College, Mohali 1, University Campus 2, GCG, Patiala 3, Malwa College, Bathinda 4;

Giddha: University campus 1, Govt College of Physical education, Patiala 2, S.D. KJanya Mahavidyala 3, Govt Rajindra College, Bathinda 4.

Chandigarh, November 12
Taking a serious view on the terror a Punjab police constable unleashed by registering a case against his neighbour for committing the “offence” of keeping a dog, Justice Ranjit Singh of the Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed a top-level inquiry into the episode. Lapse on part of the cops, if established, would be reflected in their annual confidential reports.

Virtually passing strictures, Justice Ranjit Singh ruled: “Strange are the ways of the police. This is a case where complainant, who happens to be a constable, has succeeded in getting an FIR registered against his neighbour for keeping a dog. This court is rushed with the petitions seeking direction for registration of cases where even human lives are lost, but the police would refuse to register an FIR or to properly investigate the same.”

In his detailed order, Justice Ranjit Singh asserted: “What an abuse of process of court and law by a constable, who is supposed to be a protector of law! There is no allegation in the FIR that the dogs, even if kept by the petitioners, had bitten any person in the locality or children of the complainant. The allegation in the FIR is that the dogs had tried to bite the children of the complainant. How the provisions of Section 336 IPC would be attracted in this case, apparently is beyond comprehension. Section 336 of the IPC punishes an act done by a person which is rash or negligent and which endangers human life or personal safety of others. Keeping a dog can certainly not be termed as an act which is rash or negligent and such which would endanger human life. The action of the SHO in registering this FIR is certainly an abuse of the process of the court.”

Elaborating, Justice Singh asserted: “The complainant, who is a constable, has obviously been favoured by his peers and superiors for getting this false and frivolous FIR registered that does not disclose any offence.”

Quashing the FIR registered in the matter on February 16, the judge asked the senior superintendent of police concerned to “look into the case.” He has been asked to “find out as to why and on what consideration the FIR was registered, and if there was any motive on the part of SHO of the police station concerned to act in the manner he did.”

Before parting with the orders, the judge added: “If he finds the action on the part of the SHO and other police officers investigating the case was not bonafide exercise of powers, this may be reflected in their confidential reports”.

Chandigarh, November 12
Justice Ranjit Singh of the Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued notice to the city-based Arya Samaj Samiti asking it why action should not be initiated against it for issuing marriage certificate to a runaway couple.

Taking note that the runaway couple had not only been issued a marriage certificate, but also a certificate regarding their place of residence, Justice Ranjit Singh asked to samiti to explain why action should not be taken against it.

Chandigarh, November 12
Additional district and sessions judge R.S. Attri today sentenced Ajay Kohli, a Sector 38 resident, to three-year imprisonment for abetment to suicide.

The accused was convicted after his wife, Anju, committed suicide in 2005. The court also directed Kohli to deposit Rs 3.5 lakh in a bank in the name of his daughter. The quarterly interest of the fixed deposit will be sent to the victim's father Jagganath for the child's education, said the court.

According to the prosecution, Anju had committed suicide on June 1, 2005. The couple got married in 1998 and had a strained relationship. The victim had tried to commit suicide in 2000 also. The couple had a daughter who supported the prosecution.

The case was registered on the complaint of the victim's father, Jagannath. On the request of the complainant's father, a special public prosecutor was appointed for the case. The victim's daughter had deposed before the court and confirmed that the accused used to harass the victim.

Chandigarh, November 12
Ashwani Bansal, a chemist shop owner of Sector 19, lodged a complaint with the police alleging that Rs 11,400 and cosmetics worth Rs 50,000 were stolen from his shop, during the intervening night of November 11-12.

The victim alleged thieves entered in the shop through the window. A case has been registered under Section 380 of the IPC at the Sector 19 police station. An investigation officer said a case has been registered and the accused would be arrested, as the investigations are on.

Stolen: Tarlochan Singh, a resident of Mohali, filed a complaint with the police alleging that his Maruti car (CH-01-S-0705) was stolen from the parking of Sector 9 yesterday. A case under Section 379 of the IPC has been registered at the Sector 3 police station. The police registered a case on the complaint filed by Lovleen, a resident of Sector 56, alleging that his Esteem car (CH-01-X-9099) was stolen from the dividing road of Sector 55-56 on November 10. A case under Section 379 of the IPC has been registered at the Sector 39 police station.

Kamleshwar Yadav, a resident of Hallomajra, filed a complaint with the police alleging that his gas cylinder and TV was stolen from his residence yesterday. A case under Section 380 of the IPC has been registered at the police station of Sector 31.

The police registered a case on the complaint filed by Baljit Singh, a resident of Raipur Khurd, alleging that his TV and gas cylinder was stolen from his residence yesterday. A case under Section 379 of the IPC has been registered at the police station of Industrial Area.

Missing: A resident of Kajheri filed a complaint with the police alleging that her 11-year-old daughter has been missing from her residence since November 9. A case has been registered at the police station of sector 36.

Panchkula, November 12
Panic gripped Saketri village when a youth allegedly fired two shots during a scuffle after his Balero got stuck in a nagar kirtan procession here today. No one was injured in the incident.

Residents overpowered the accused and handed him over to the police. An unlicensed pistol, six cartridges, a sword and a baseball bat were recovered from the accused identified as Gurpartap Singh of Ludhiana.

Avtar, the complainant, said he was driving a tractor and Gurpartap tried to get past the procession. He asked Avtar for passage and when he told him to wait, he got out of the vehicle and threatened the complainant with dire consequences.

He also claimed that he was a kin of an MLA of Punjab. This was followed by a heated argument and the accused fired shots into the air, Avtar alleged in his complaint.

When Avtar challenged him, Gurpartap allegedly pointed the pistol towards him, but another youth in the procession hit the accused on his hand.

Inquiries revealed that the accused was related to former MLA Bachittar Singh from Kharar.

The police has arrested the accused and registered a case under Sections 307 and 25 of the Arms Act.

Mohali, November 12
A resident of Bairampur Bhagomajra sustained injuries after he was allegedly beaten up by some persons near Saneta village.

The police has booked Pargat Singh, a friend of the injured, along with some unidentified persons under Sections 341, 323, 148, 149 and 427 of the IPC in this regard.

Gurjant Singh complained to the police that he was returning to Bairampur from Gadana village when he was stopped near Saneta village on the way by his cousin and others. He was allegedly pulled out of the car and beaten up. His car was also allegedly damaged.

He was taken to the Phase VI hospital. The police said some dispute over irrigating of fields was going on among the cousins.

Patiala, November 12
Punjab Archery Association conducted trials for junior national archery championship that would be held in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, from November 25 to 30.

The trials were conducted in the three categories i.e. Indian, recurve and compound. As many as 27 archers were selected for the camp.

The selected players are:

Indian round

Men: 1 Gurlal (654), 2 Harpreet (611), Shahbaaz (596), 4 Himmat (584), 5 Amarpreet (583) and 6 Ankush (581).

Women: 1 Karmanyata (572), 2 Parveena (556), 3 Surbhi (543) and 4 Jaleen (506).

Chandigarh, November 12
GHG Khalsa College, Gurusar Sadhar, prevailed over LLR Government College, Dhudike, 3-0 on the third day of the Panjab University Inter-College Hockey (Men) Tournament played on league basis at PU grounds here today.

In another match, SCD Government College, Ludhiana, found an easy rival in Guru Nanak National College, Doraha, whom they thrashed by 4-1. — TNS

Panchkula, November 12
Norms were flouted during the selection of the district roller-skating trials that were conducted at Manav Mangal School, Sector 11, Chandigarh, today.

Apparently, coaches who did not have the background of roller-skating took the trials right under the nose of the district administration.

“How can a coach of some other discipline judge the players of skating in an ideal manner,” questioned an agitated parent.

“The trails were a mere eyewash as even the distance of skating while shortened and our wards were pushed by the senior players but the coaches did not give their true verdict, rued another parent.

Moreover, flouting the DC, Rajender Kataria’s directions AD Sharma, district skating coach, was present during the trials and hence, the trials could not satisfy the protesting parents and players.

AD Sharma told the Tribune, “I came with my team here and did not come for conducting trails.”

While parents confirmed that the trails were a farce but Rajni Threja, the president of District Roller Skating Association, Panchkula, found nothing wrong with the trials.

“I agree that the coaches who are conducing the trails are of other discipline but what’s wrong in it when they have the knowledge of roller-skating and there are no directions on following a certain distance that’s why we shortened the distance,” she explained.

In order to pacify the matter, the DC said, “Sharma was not the officiating coach and the coaches who conducted the trails had the knowledge of roller-skating.

And rest, I will be able to tell you after verifying the details only, as I was not present at the venue.”

Meanwhile, the parents have decided to approach the DC tomorrow in this regard to find a solution at the earliest. 

Chandigarh, November 12
A 69-run opening wicket partnership between all-rounder Chintan (44) and Sakun Jindle (29) helped Panjab University outplay Engineering College, Sector 26, by seven wickets in the opening group A match of the Inter-College Cricket Tournament for Administrator's Cup at the Sector 16 Cricket Stadium here today.

Panjab University won the toss and put Engineering College to bat first. Engineering College suffered their first jolt when opener Gagandeep (8) was bowled by Chintan with scoreboard reading 14 in 4.2 overs.

Four runs later, newcomer Pankaj Thakur, (2) was bowled by Chintan in 6.1 overs.

Engineering College was losing wickets at regular intervals. Only Sahil Saini (24) and Sahil Kamboj (20) played defiant knocks before Engineering College innings terminated at 101 in 22.2 overs.

Panjab University easily achieved the target by scoring 102 for 3 in 15.4 overs. Chintan and Sakun Jindle gave them a solid start by realising 69 runs for the opening wicket association.

Chintan top-scored with 44 which included three fours and four sixes. Sakun Jindle made 29 with the held of four fours. Both were run out. Deepak contributed 12 runs. Tarun Passi (5) and Mohit (0) remained not out. Sahil Saini got one for 30. 
Sri Guru Gobind Singh College for Boys (B Team) walked over B.Ed College, Sector 20, which failed to turn up.

Panchkula, November 12
Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force is to organise the 52nd All- India Police Duty Meet Shooting Competition at Basic Training Centre, Bhanu, near here.

Central Police and State Police Organisations had given their consent to participate in this competition, which was to be started on Novemebr 18, spokesperson of Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force, Sudhakar Natrajan, said. The participants would perform their shooting skills by handling 9mm Browning Pistol/0.32mm Revolver, 9mm Carbine Machine Gun and 7.62/5.56/0.303 mm rifles.

A high-tech electronic firing range had been made at the training centre that would not only be used for the meet but would also stand them in good stead for future training of ITBP and other forces located in Chandigarh or Panchkula , he said.

Natrajan added this meet had a pivotal significance, keeping in view the rapidly changing security scenario, where sharp shooting skills of the security personnel would be needed Various national and international-level shooters of the police forces will perform their marvelous shooting in the meet which would conclud on November 22.