Ludhiana, July 29
Thousands of candidates who descended on Guru Nanak Stadium for the recruitment rally of the Army today gave a tough time to the police.

The police had to use mild force several times during the day to control the youths who tried to get tokens for entering the rally. Not wanting to take any chances, the police used the force and the youths threw back slippers at the cops.

Though the authorities had cordoned off the road between Fountain Chowk and the stadium to check the entry of vehicles to prevent any chaos, the presence of so many youths kept the police worried.

DSP Bhupinder Singh said the first day of the rally passed off successfully and the police did not have to be very strict with the candidates. The police did not have to resort to cane charge, he said.

Col Saji Abraham, director, Army recruitment, said they had received a tremendous response from the youths. It was much better than the last rally at Moga. “Nearly 5,000 youths from Mohali and Ludhiana took the test today despite the rain. We are glad that the turnout was overwhelming even in the predominantly urban belts.

It seemed the rally was a revival of old times when Punjabi youths turned up in huge numbers and wanted to serve the country,” he said. 

Ludhiana, July 29
The Army today kept a strong vigil outside the venue for the recruitment rally to deal with touts.

Besides police and intelligence agencies members, several Army personnel were seen keeping a watch outside the venue. Col Saji Abraham, director, Army recruitment, said touts had been a problem in the past, but this time, they did not allow anyone to take advantage of candidates.

“I have made several announcements that the candidates should not be lured by anyone as nobody could get them into the Army if they failed to clear the tests. The only way was to clear the tests and for that one does not need to give money to anybody,” he said.

“I have advised those who could not make it today to come prepared the next time. We want only motivated people. We do not want parents to force their wards to join the Army. If only the youths feel they should be here, they should try it,” he said.

Ludhiana, July 29
A Delhi-based real estate developer, Aeren-R Enterprises, has landed itself in a soup for issuing a flashy advertisement of an international city project proposed to be developed on the NH-1 near Ladhowal.

Taking cognizance of the advertisement, the GLADA has slapped a show-cause notice on the builder, charging it with violation of Section 4, sub-section (1)(a) and (b) of the Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation Act.

The provisions of the Act lay down that no promoter shall issue an advertisement or prospectus, offering for sale of any apartment or plot, or inviting persons who intend to take such apartments or plots to make advances or deposits, unless: (a) the promoter holds a certificate of registration under sub-section (2) of Section 21 and it is in force, and has not been suspended or revoked, and its number is mentioned in the advertisement or prospectus; and (b) a copy of the advertisement or prospectus is filed in the office of the competent authority before its issue or publication.

GLADA officials maintain that the said project had not been approved by the Housing and Urban Development of the government so far. Moreover, a part of the proposed site was located in a flood-prone area and an NOC from the drainage department was necessary before the change of land use was allowed.

The officials have advised the public not to indulge in any kind of dealing or booking of plots or properties in the Aeren-R international city project. Further, those having made any payment to the company or its agents for booking of plots or properties, have been asked to provide complete details of any such transaction so that penal action could be initiated against the promoters.

The promoters of the project had announced through a corporate advertisement that spread over an area of more than 175 acres, the project would have a golf course, residential villas and apartments, hotel and service apartments, senior citizen home, office and retail, club, education, healthcare and sports.

An official of the company at the site office said the company had not made any offer for the sale of property or plots in the proposed project which, he admitted, was yet to get a final nod. “It was simply a corporate advertisement issued for information to the public and nothing more,” he said.

Ludhiana, July 29
The robbers, who shot a CMS security agent in cold blood for money, tried to make more moolah by reportedly shooting a video of the entire incident and selling it to an electronic channel.

Amit Arora, an accused, whose accomplice fired shots at Rajesh Kumar in broad daylight on July 17, was shooting a video and clicking photographs on his mobile phone.

Police sources said he tried to sell the video to a vernacular TV channel by striking a deal. The shocking revelation came to light when a team headed by Gurpreet Singh, in charge CIA-I, nabbed Amit Arora, a resident of Santokh Nagar, from Kali Sarak last evening.

During interrogation, Amit Arora admitted that they used two motorbikes for the crime. While Sanjay paired up with Saurav, he and Rohit decided to cover them and started following them.

Saurav shot Rajesh and tried to snatch the bag containing Rs 3 lakh.

He said the duo failed to snatch the bag and fled from the spot. Later, he and Rohit reached the spot, clicked some photographs and recorded a video of the incident on the mobile phone.

The police sources said he used to give information to reporters of a vernacular channel and planned to give them the photographs.

Earlier, the police had arrested Rohit Mishra and Sanjay Dass had surrendered in court. The fourth and the prime accused, Saurav Daubey, who allegedly shot Rajesh, is still on the run.

Amit had fled to Maharashtra after the incident and had returned to the city some days ago, thinking that the issue had died down.

The CIA police had received a tip-off that Amit was seen near Kali Sarak. The cops laid a trap for him and nabbed him.

He was produced in court and was sent to three-day police remand.

Jagraon, July 29
In what smacks of a scam, CFLs being distributed in Himachal Pradesh free of cost have surfaced in Punjab with a price tag. Some traders have procured the lamps and are selling these in the rural areas of Punjab and that too with the so-called subsidy of the PSEB.

Arpan Electrical Company of Moga (without address but with a phone number) is selling the 15 Watt CFLs under the brand name of Halonix, manufactured by Phoenix Lamps Ltd of Hardwar.

The firm would set up a stall where some gathering was expected and put a banner saying that lamps were sold there with the subsidy sanctioned by the PSEB to promote the use of CFLs to save energy. The lamp costs Rs 140 a piece, but following the subsidy, it is being sold for Rs 95.

The matter came to light when at a stall put up at Daudhar village in Moga district, Master Sarabjit Singh of the village bought a lamp and scratched the stickers pasted on the packing. He was shocked to see that the lamp was not for sale, but for free distribution in HP.

He, along with two others, Surjit Singh and Iqbal Singh, confronted the representative of the firm, but he only offered to issue a bill for the purchase. However, the batch number and the date of manufacture were not mentioned on the bill. The stall owners also offered to take the lamps back. They claimed that they did not have the purchase bill from the company at the Moga office. 

Ludhiana, July 29
Downpour for the past two days has made the farmers cheerful. They, especially paddy growers, are relived that the water requirement of the crops has been met with.

Mahinder Singh Grewal, a paddy grower of Sangrur district, said, “The farmers are happy and hope that the rains continue for few more days. “If it continues to rain for another two to three days, the water deficit that the crops had been facing for the past several days, will be met with,” added Grewal.

Maninder Singh of Ludhiana remarked, “The showers for the past two days have been quite beneficial not only for paddy but also for other crops. The amount of rainfall has been good and the crops will not require irrigation for the next few weeks.”

He added that as a result of late but liberal rainfall, the late varieties of paddy would benefit immensely.

Confirming this, GS Bains, head, department of agricultural meteorology, Punjab Agriculture University, said 157.8 mm of rainfall in a day is enough to replenish the water deficit that happened due to the hot weather in the previous days.

He added that the city alone had received a rainfall of 157.8 mm yesterday, taking the total amount of rainfall for July to 335 mm as against the normal 232mm.

Elaborating the benefits of the late monsoon showers, Bains said the additional advantage of the downpour would be the washing down of the pesticides residues, if any.

He said the prevailing rains was beneficial for the growth of horticultural crops. “The rains are immensely useful for paddy as its water requirement is met,” Bains added.

However, giving a word of advice to farmers, Bains suggested that excess water from should be drained out from the low-lying areas in the fields and from tree basins.

“Farmers have a reason to cheer as more rains is expected from yesterday evening over the next 48 hours which will cater well to the water requirement of the crops,” Bains said.

Ludhiana, July 29
Additional divisional railway manager (ADRM) RS Ghera accompanied by other officials of the operating and engineering wing of the Northern Railway today inspected the waterlogged quarters of 30 employees in railway colony No. 5 here to devise remedial measures.

The rainwater had entered these houses on Tuesday, causing extensive damage to household articles, furniture and fittings, following which the employees, along with their family members, had staged a protest on the main railway line near Jagraon Bridge, which had led to disruption of railway traffic on the Ludhiana-Delhi and the Ludhiana-Ferozepur section for several hours.

Ghera spent over two hours to discuss various options with the officers and visited the disposal spot near Gurdwara Dukh Niwaran, which was found to be choked and overflowing.

The pipes of the sewerage and rainwater drain falling into the open drain were found inadequate and a major cause of rainwater entering railway quarters.

Talking to mediapersons after the inspection, Ghera said existing disposal pipes would be replaced with bigger capacity pipes and the the gurdwara management had offered their cooperation in this regard.

The railway would also arrange for desilting of the open drain to further improve the disposal of sewage water and rainwater from the colony.

He added that 12 new quarters were under construction in the colony.

“We shall speed up work for early completion and shift as many families, now residing in houses prone to waterlogging, to new quarters as possible. Issue of construction of more quarters and providing financial compensation to the affected employees will also be taken up at the appropriate level,” Ghera added.

Station superintendent RK Sharma and representatives of the Northern Railway Mazdoor Union were also present.

Lutheran, July 29
Dr Maninderjit Singh, civil surgeon, Ludhiana, brought an end to the ongoing controversy between the anti-larvae wing and the zila parishad authorities over the “official building” allotted to the wing staff.

He held a meeting with zila parishad chairman today following the collapse of a roof of a room allotted to the anti-larvae wing staff on Monday evening.

The zila parishad has allotted a new space to the anti-larvae wing in BDO Block I and the shifting process will begin tomorrow.

The zila parishad and anti-larvae wing (department of health and family welfare) were at loggerheads over the issue of official building allotted to the wing staff, which was in bad shape, owing to cracks in the roof and rickety walls.

It was a providential escape for 50 employees of the anti-larvae wing as the roof of the room collapsed after heavy rainfall two days ago. The roof collapsed just hours after the staff had left the office.

The anti-larvae wing members had alleged that the zila parishad authorities had given them an unsafe building as office. However, zila parishad chairman Manpreet Singh Ayali counter-alleged that they had given the department an eviction notice nine years ago.

The chairman said: “The building was declared unsafe, thereafter the department of health and family welfare was officially asked to shift its anti-larvae wing office elsewhere but the department paid no heed to our reminders.”

Dr GP Mangla, district epidemiologist, said he had taken up the matter with his department as well as with the zila parishad authorities about the dilapidated condition of the building but nothing had been done then.

“It is not just the matter of safety but also of efficiency as missing ventilation, leaking roofs, congested interiors do not help wing members put in their best effort,” added Dr Mangla. Ironically, the civil surgeon office complex in Civil Lines has also been declared unsafe by the PWD.

But despite repeated reminders to the PWD by the civil surgeon office, nothing had been done to renovate the building.

Ludhiana, July 29
In spite of adequate rains and fall in temperatures, the power situation in Punjab was still grim. Industry as well as agriculture were reeling under the pressure, as power was available to none. Let alone domestic consumers, who have been the worst hit.

While the industry was forced to close their factories for three days in a week, there was no certainty of unscheduled power cuts, which were imposed as and when the PSEB desired, without caring for the losses caused on account of burning of steel/fuel and labour, which had to sit idle for hours together, waiting for the power to come.

Mandi Gobindgarh and Ludhiana, which contribute largely to the PSEB by way of energy consumption and power bills, were the worst sufferers as maximum power was needed by both towns.

BD Ghavri, an industrialist at Gobindgarh, said an estimated loss of Rs 200 crore every month was incurred by these two towns alone, which included all types of small and large industry.

“This loss is not only for the PSEB but the entire nation as revenue is generated if the industry works,” said Ghavri.

President, Apex Chamber of Industry, said if the situation had been temporary, everybody would have thought of looking for better days, but as things stand today there seems to be no solution to the problem, as projects that were started by the state government were no where to be seen.

“The situation of power to agriculture sector was no better. This sector was supposed to get power for eight hours but instead was getting power only for four to five hours, that too, at odd hours.

Industry is suffering as power is being given to agriculture but they too complain of similar problem. Then who is to blame?” said Ghavri.

Ludhiana, July 29
The city police has launched an online verification website to keep the record of migrant labourers in the city.

During the launch, SSP Sukhchain Singh Gill said with the introduction of the website, the facility would now be accessible through the Internet. Earlier, information regarding verification of migrants was available only on phone.

The services of online registration and verification would be provided by Plateau Technologies at Rs 80 per registration from the user.

The SSP said the new system would help the police to track down criminals. Information regarding criminals would be shared with the police of other states as also with the Nepalese police.

He said the previous process of verification could not click due to lack of coordination between the inter-state police.

According to sources, around 2.5 lakh forms of migrants were filed out by the police till 2006. Out of these, only 60,000 were sent to the respective states for verification.

On the benefits of the website, www.ismic.org, Gill said it had a search feature that would help residents to know the address of the migrant labourers.

He said the profile and address of the individual would be regularly updated on the website after the verification.

He added that the website would open more job avenues for migrant labourers as residents could not opt for their choice through the net. Cell phone number and other details would also be available on the net.

Gill said the procedure could be completed at home as one could register the details of their employees and tenants and even upload their photograph while sitting at home.

The district police chief said the technique would be made simpler.

He appealed to residents to extend cooperation to the police in maintaining law and order in the city.

Ludhiana, July 29
Under the state government sponsored Embryo Transfer Technology (ETT) project, already in operation in the department of animal genetics and breeding of Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana, a joint venture of GADVASU and state animal husbandry department of Punjab, the first female calf was delivered on July 25 by an ordinary cow as a surrogate mother at a dairy farm of Amrinder Singh, village Arrainchan, Ludhiana.

Embryos were harvested from an elite cow under field conditions having production potential of 5,000 kg milk per lactation, which was bred with the imported semen of HF bull with Dam's yield of 13,000 kg milk/lactation. These embryos were collected and transferred non-surgically at dairy farm of the farmer.

Dr VK Taneja, Vice-Chancellor GADVASU, said Embryo Transfer Technology could be of great help to multiply the elite dairy cattle especially males at the faster rate to match the milk production rather than multiplication and feeding of low and medium producer cattle since the cost of feeding of livestock had increased tremendously over the years.

Director research, GADVASU, observed that for implementing the project, a team comprising university experts and local veterinary officer visited the dairy farms of the interested dairy owner/farmers for counselling and briefing about the benefits of the ETT programme. Under this project the university experts were also imparting training in the ETT work. Two batches of about 11veterinary doctors had been trained and more veterinary doctors would be trained soon, said Dr OS Parmar, director extension, GADVASU.

Mullanpur Dakha, July 29
Two volunteers from here are conducting a peace march to Sunam to commemorate the martyrdom of Shaheed Udham Singh that falls on July 31.

The cyclists will go to Sunam, native place of the martyr, by taking breaks in the villages on the way. Like-minded youths are likely to join from different villages.

During their halts they preached the ideology of the martyr who sacrificed his life for the nation. Hardev Singh of Boparai village near here said: “It was surprising that the present generation knew nothing about the martyrs and they often asked whose photographs we were carrying and why?”

Varinder Singh Sant, national president of the NGO ACCP Cops, who sponsored the peace march, said though the nation got its freedom long ago, it still needed sacrifice from the youth.

He said, “Today’s youth must know that nation is above all and we all should work in building the nation for its development.”

Manpreet Singh Ayali, chairman of zila parishad, flagged off the peace march.

Ludhiana, July 29
Punjab and Sind Bank has written to the state-level coordinator, HDFC Bank, Chandigarh, seeking an early reply to a complaint filed by certain local industrialists here.

The industry representatives had complained that the bank did not entertain their cheques for clearance after 2 pm and was not providing loans to industry without collateral (additional) security.

Jeet Singh, lead manager, Punjab and Sind Bank, said during a meeting with industrialists in the second week of July, the representatives had submitted a complaint against the private bank.

“Under the RBI guidelines, banks are supposed to dispose of cheques for clearance till 3 pm. But representatives from the Fasteners Association, United Cycle Parts and Manufacturers Association and the Laghu Udyog here had complained that HDFC Bank did not entertain their cheques after 2 pm. Secondly, they had complained that the bank was not sanctioning loans without collateral security, as prescribed by the RBI,” said Jeet Singh, adding that being the lead bank, they had sought a reply from state-level coordinator of the bank in Chandigarh.

The SSI and agricultural problems related to banks were to be dealt with by the lead banks, said the manager.

Neeraj Jha, corporate communications head, HDFC Bank, Mumbai, said over the phone that service branches of HDFC Bank sent cheques for clearance the same day, even after accepting the cheques after 3.30 pm.

He said: “The bank has been running smoothly all these years due to its customer-friendly services. There must be some misunderstanding. We are there to provide best services to customers. As far as providing loans without collateral security is concerned, we are doing exactly what others are doing.”

Ludhiana, July 29
The Japanese national, who was diagnosed with swine flu and admitted to Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMCH), was discharged from the hospital here today.

His three associates, two from Japan and one from Thailand, being administered preventive treatment at the hospital were also discharged from the hospital.

District Health Officer Dr SS Dhir said all four foreigners being the business associates of Abhishek Industries have been sent to their office.

Meanwhile, the medical reports of two suspected cases (children of a city oncologist) admitted to the CMCH have come out to be negative.

The report from National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) this evening confirmed that they were not suffering from swine flu.

Ludhiana, July 29
Auditions for Miss PTC Punjabi 2009 were held here today. Girls in full enthusiasm reached the venue for auditions. Jaspinder Cheema, last year's Miss PTC Punjabi, was from Batala.

Auditions were held at Gujranwala Guru Nanak Khalsa College for Women. Parents were also keen on seeing their daughters walking the ramp.

The main attraction of this year's event is that the five finalists will get a chance to be a part of the Miss India's regional round. Miss PTC and the runners-up will get a chance to go to UK.

Doraha, July 29
In times when youngsters are busy updating with the recent trends, Dr Satinder Sartaaj is still glued to flute and sarangi.

A 29-year-old young enthusiast, who after achieving specialisation in Sufi music, is working in the music department at Panjab University, Chandigarh, for the past six years.

Unlike other singers of his age, his heart and mind yearns to possess his ultimate guru, the one who not only fits into his saintly attire but also provides him eternal solace.

Sartaaj says, “Sufi music connects me with God, insisting that of late he has developed a passion for poetry but now-a-days it’s more of poetry than anything else.”

Born at Bajrawar village in Hoshiarpur, he nurtured a deep liking for the wandering folk artistes whose melody, emanating primarily from flute and sarangi touched the inner cords of this artist as a small boy.

He says, “I started performing at the Bal Sabhaas when I was in Class III and this marked the beginning of my journey.”

After graduating in music (hons) from Government College, Hoshiarpur, he took up sangeet visharad, a five-year diploma in classical music at Jalandhar. He did his masters in music from Panjab University followed by MPhil and PhD.

He also tried his hand at poetry while pursuing his diploma in Persian language. His religious and sufiana thoughts emanated from the dictates of his inner soul and he ultimately chose to revel in the glory of mysticism.

He owes his name and fame to Iqbal Mahal, first broadcaster of North America. Gurbhajan Gill, general secretary, Prof Mohan Singh Memorial Foundation, said just as the America was discovered by Columbus, Sartaaj was discovered by Mahal.

“He is the real man behind the show who not only took pains to promote the young talent but spread his voice in every corner of the world,” he said.

The maturity and depth of his composition and style are unsurpassable to the extent that he has gradually gained the fellow singers envy and the viewer’s pride.

He was awarded with the best Sufi singer award at the Dubai International Cultural Festival. He has also featured a documentary on the life of Sayyad Waris Shah.

A winner of scholarship in Sufi Music, he was the first runner-up in the 24th All-India Light Vocal competition. He has done a lot of live concerts with his troupe in Punjab, Chandigarh, Delhi and other states. He has also received commendation from various universities and organisations, including Panjab University, Punjabi University, Army Headquarters, Chandigarh, Indian Microelectronics Society, Global Punjab Organisation, Delhi, OSHO World, Delhi and Panchkula, DAV group of institutions and Rotaract Club, Chandigarh. He will be present at Dr Ishwar Singh Memorial Hall of Guru Nanak National College, Doraha, on July 31 to entertain people.

Jagraon, July 29
A couple reportedly received burns in an accidental fire at Sowaddi Khurd village, near here, this afternoon.

The couple have been identified as Paramjit Kaur (35) and Daljeet Kaur (32).

The incident happened when a container storing kerosene caught fire and exploded, trapping Daljeet Kaur in the flames.

Wood work was in progress in the house, as the couple had built a new room. The wood kept in the room also caught fire.

On hearing her screams, Paramjit Singh rushed to her aid and tried to extinguish the fire. In the attempt, he also received burns.

The couple ran a grocery shop in a portion of the house.

Their three children, who were present in the house at the time of the incident, escaped unhurt.

The injured were taken to the civil hospital, Jagraon, where the condition of Daljit Kaur was stated to be critical.

The police had not initiated any proceedings till the filing of the report.

Ludhiana, July 29
Taking stern action against six students who created indiscipline at Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU) on July 23, the authorities have expelled a second year student of the department of fisheries and barred two students from the current semester. Three others have been issued a warning and have been expelled from the hostel.

The director, students’ welfare, Dr Kulbir Singh Sandhu, said though the complainant had lodged a complaint of ragging against these students, the three-member committee probing the matter found that the students had indulged in a brawl under the influence of liquor in the hostel on the night of July 23.

“The statements of several students, including certain first year students, have been recorded by the authorities. They all maintain that it was a brawl and not ragging. The complainant, too, was under the influence of liquor when the incident took place. But Harkanwal S. Grewal, a second year student, who beat the complainant, has been expelled,” he said, adding that an introduction of freshers was taken by seniors on July 21 in the presence of the dean, dairy sciences, in an amicable manner.

The SHO of Sarabha Nagar, Beant Juneja, said a case had been registered under Sections 323, 341 and 506 of the IPC. “Since it is a bailable offence, Harkanwal was given bail on the same day,” he said.

Ludhiana, July 29
Dr SS Johl, farm economist and former Vice-Chancellor PAU, during an interaction with Manjit Singh Kang, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, said the focus required by the agriculture in Punjab was to conserve natural resources, particularly the underground water.

He said the depleting underground water table was a serious problem and aerobic rice could help save water.

He also demonstrated the method of paddy cultivation through broadcasting eight kg seed per acre and undertaking weed management and compared it with the conventional method of paddy cultivation.

He suggested scientists working on paddy to examine the possibility of the technique.

Dr Kang said the PAU had a strong programme on developing resource conservation technology and the experience of Dr Johl would be useful for the university scientists to view aerobic rice cultivation as a water saving approach.

Ludhiana, July 29
Taking note of the rising number of accidents involving overspeeding school vans, the police has decided to install speed governors in the vehicles for the safety of chidren.

The development follows yesterday’s incident that took place at Otalan village near Samrala where a student was crushed under an overspeeding van. It was learnt that the school van was being driven recklessly.

The SSP, Sukhchain Singh Gill, said: “We are going to hold a meeting with the school and college authorities tomorrow and would appeal to the school authorities to install speed governors in the vehicles that ferry students.”

Speed governors regulate the speed of a vehicle. “Such experiments have produced encouraging results in Delhi and certain other cities. I hope this will prove beneficial and bring down accidents involving school buses,” he said.

Recently, eight students of Akal Academy were crushed under a train near Bilga. In order to reach the school on time, the van driver tired to cross the unmanned level crossing and hit the train.

Meanwhile, the police will convene a meeting with all college authorities to discuss ways to keep a check on group clashes and ragging cases.

Raikot, July 29
Amandeep Kaur, a student of MA (II) political science, Swami Ganga Giri Girls College, here brought laurel to the college by securing first position in the university exam held recently. She scored 625 marks out of 800.

A topper throughout her academic career, she got first position in first year also. Interestingly, she had never taken any tuition so far. She gave the credit of her success to her parents and teachers.

Dr Savita Uppal said out of 48 students 25 students had secured first division. She said Amandeep is the first girl to score such high marks in political science. Anu another student secured 592 marks and secured seventh position in the university.

Mullanpur Dakha, July 29
The Dakha police has busted a gang of thieves by arresting two of its members. The gang had been active in the periphery of Mullanpur for over a year.

Those arrested have been identified as Baljit Singh and Harjit Singh of Jangpur village. Their third accomplice, Bhinder Singh, was arrested on May 16.

At that time, the two had managed to flee. The accused were arrested from the level crossing here last evening on the basis of a tip-off.

The two were riding a motor cycle with fake registration plates. The police has recovered three motor cycles (PB 10 BM 7488, PB 10 BN 2031 and PB 10 BA 6681), a stolen mobile phone and two air-conditioners stolen from Eastwood International School here on July 18.

A case has been registered against the accused under Sections 379, 411 and 34, IPC.

Ludhiana, July 29
Punjab emerged champions in the men’s as well as women’s sections of Dr Jagir Singh Memorial North Zone Softball Championship, held at Amritsar, recently.

According to Pran Nath Passi, honorary secretary of the Punjab Softball Association, teams from Punjab outplayed Delhi teams to romp home victorious.

In the men’s final, Punjab outclassed Delhi 10-6 to bag the title and in the title clash match in the women’s section, Punjab proved too good for Delhi, whom they overpowered 13-7 to clinch top honours.

Dr Kanwaljit Singh, sports director, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, was the chief guest at the prize distribution function.