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NEIGHBOURHOOD

MC POLLS PATIALA
Congress candidates shift loyalty
Umesh Dewan
Tribune News Service

Patiala, June 6
With the three Congress candidates pulling themselves out from the poll fray, many eyebrows within the Congress are raised over the selection of candidates made by the screening committee of the party.

Though, the Congress leaders are claiming that the candidates had announced not to contest election because they are threatened by the Punjab police at the behest of SAD-BJP government. However, information available with The Tribune reveals that it was not any “police pressure” but a “secret settlement” with the SAD-BJP leadership which is why the Congress candidates have pulled out from the elections in favour of the Akali Dal.

While the two Congress candidates, Makhan Ram (Ward Number 39) and Surjit Dhiman (Ward Number 2) had withdrawn their nomination papers, the third Congress candidate, Harbir Singh Sekhon (Ward Number 31), has extended his support to the Akali heavyweight and front-runner for the post of Mayor, Harpal Juneja, and has also joined the SAD - much to the embarrassment of the Congress.

It was Punjab Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Surjit Singh Rakhra who formally inducted Sekhon into the Akali Dal and honoured him with a Siropa. “The Congress leadership had categorically announced that win-ability would be the sole criteria for the selection of the candidates. It is ridiculous that the candidates selected by the screening committee had withdrawn in favour of the Akali Dal.,” said a Congress MLA preferring anonymity.

The screening committee for finalising the candidates for the 50 municipal wards of Patiala was headed by Chaudhary Jagjit Singh. Senior Congress leaders were also part of the committee.

“Almost half a dozen Congress stalwarts, including former Patiala Improvement Trust chairman KK Sharma, Rajpura MLA Hardyal Kamboj and former vice-chairman of Punjab Agro Sanjeev Garg, are the residents of the ward number 31, it was something really embarrassing for the Congress that its candidate joined SAD,” said a party insider, while claiming that the deserving candidates were ignored by the screening committee.

All the attempts to contact Chaudhary Jagjit Singh and District Congress Committee (Urban) president Prem Krishan Puri proved futile.

Amarinder to campaign in Patiala today
Umesh Dewan
Tribune News Service

Children campaign in support of the BJP candidate of Ward No. 34 in Patiala on Wednesday. Tribune pHOTO: RAJESH sachar

Patiala, June 6
With just two-days left for the election campaign in Patiala to conclude, the Congress leaders have finally started to campaign in all the 50 municipal wards of the city.

The party leaders said the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) President, Capt Amarinder Singh, would be campaigning in the city on Thursday. So far Amarinder Singh could not campaign in his hometown as he was occupied with campaigning in other parts of the state.

Out of the total municipal wards, 30 wards (Ward Number 22 to 50 and Ward Number 1) fall in the Assembly segment Patiala Urban represented by Amarinder, whereas 20 wards (ward number 2 to 21) are under Patiala Rural Assembly segment represented by Brahm Mohindra of Congress. Speaking to The Tribune, the Congress leaders close to Amarinder said that the PPCC president would be on a whirlwind tour to all the wards of the city on June 7.

Meanwhile, giving impetus to the election campaign of the party, Union Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur today went to several wards campaigning for the Congress candidates. During the election speeches, Preneet accused the ruling SAD-BJP combine of threatening the Congress candidates. She said, "The SAD-BJP combine miserably failed to develop the city. We are sure that the people of Patiala would come out in large number to vote for the Congress candidates."

Congress MLA Brahm Mohindra also accelerated the election campaign. In his address to the gatherings, Brahm said for the betterment of the royal city the electorates should vote in favour of the Congress to dethrone the corrupt SAD-BJP house. "The present state of civic affairs in the city is in shambles. During the Congress house from 2002 to 2007, the city witnessed much development. But the SAD-BJP have failed to maintain the aesthetic look of the city," he said.

It’s a dry day for some Patiala areas
Umesh Dewan
Tribune News Service

Patiala, June 6
It would be a dry day in some of the areas of Patiala district as elections for the Ghanaur, Sanaur and Ghagga gram panchayats and by-election in Nabha Municipal Council are scheduled to be hold on June 7 and 10 respectively. The Patiala District Magistrate, GK Singh, has issued orders for the prohibition on the sale and serving of liquor.

On June 10 the election for the 50 municipal wards of Patiala are scheduled and hence the same orders will remain enforced within municipal limits of the city.

Singh has stated that orders have been issued under Section 54 of the Punjab Excise Act, 1914, prohibiting the sale and serving of the liquor from 5 am till midnight.

He further stated that all the liquor vends will remain close and liquor would not be served in the hotels, beer bars, restaurants, clubs and public places on June 7 and 10 in the areas mentioned above. “In order to maintain the law and order situation and to ensure free and fair elections, the orders for the prohibition of sale and serving of liquor have been passed,” said DM, while adding that anyone flouting the orders would be dealt strictly.

Singh has also instructed the Assistant Excise and Taxation Commissioner, Patiala, to ensure the compliance of the orders. He also said that all the arrangements for the polling on June 7 and 10 have been made.

Policeman kills wife
Our Correspondent

Dera Bassi, June 6
The police has been raiding various places to nab the police officer who allegedly killed his wife on Tuesday evening. The accused, Gurvishal Singh, was a senior assistant in police headquarters, Chandigarh. He allegedly killed his wife with a sharp-edge weapon in his house situated at Balajinagar. The victim was found wounded at five or six places on her body.

The accused had informed his 17-year-old son and in-laws after committing the crime and fled from the spot. The police said that family dispute has been the reason behind the murder. The body of the victim, Surinder Kaur, was handed over to the relatives after conducting postmortem.

The police has registered a case against the accused under Section 302 of the IPC. DSP Anil Kumar and SHO Gurdyal Singh said the accused would be arrested soon and raids would continue for this purpose.

Ornament snatched

Ambala, June 6
Two youths snatched the ‘mangalsutra’ of a woman at Defense Colony, near Ambala Cantonment, last night. The police registered a case.

Rajeshwari (28) stated in her complaint that she was sleeping on the roof of her house with her two children when two youths came and asked her to hand over ornaments.

She said both were carrying sharp-edged weapons. They snatched her ‘mangalsutra’ and fled. Neighbours came to her help after she raised an alarm. — OC

CRIME

2 held with smuggled whisky, intoxicants
Our Correspondent

Fatehgarh Sahib, June 6
The local police has seized 1,000 intoxicant tablets, 500 capsules and 24 bottles of smuggled liquor from two persons.

SSP Mandeep Singh Sidhu said police noticed a suspicious person in a car (No Ch-3N-8708). They stopped the car when the accused tried to flee. During the search police seized 20 bottles of smuggled whisky meant for sale in Chandigarh. The accused was identified as Bharat Bhushan, a resident of Bassi Pathana.

Similarly the police seized 16 bottles of smuggled whisky. The accused was arrested. Both the accused were arrested and cases under Section 61, 1 and 14 of the IPC were registered against them.

In another case, the police arrested Gurmeet Singh and seized 1,000 intoxicant tablets and 500 capsules from his possession. The police registered a case under relevant sections of the NDPS Act.

Sonepat resident held with pistol
Wanted to kill his sister-in-law
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, June 6
Jai Bhagwan, a native of Sonepat, who was nabbed by the Panchkula police with a country-made pistol and a live cartridge in Sector 12 recently, wanted to kill his sister-in-law.

The accused revealed this during the interrogation. The accused told the police that he had purchased the pistol and a cartridge from Ambala.

He said he rented an accommodation at Dhakoli in Zirakpur as he did not wish to get caught.

He was planning to return home on the same day to murder his sister-in-law.

He said that despite several warnings his sister-in-law continued to defame their family by having an extra-marital affair.

SPORTS

Jalandhar beat Mohali by innings
Abhishek Gupta hits triple ton in inter-district tournament
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 6
Jalandhar beat Mohali by an innings and 78 runs with the help of a triple-ton by Abhishek Gupta in the ongoing Punjab State Inter-District Cricket Tournament for Boys (U-22) held at Burlton Park, Jalandhar, today.

Resuming with his overnight score of 292-runs, Gupta struck his individual best score of 311-runs off 356 balls. His match-winning innings saw 41 boundaries and one six.

Jalandhar declared the innings at 600 for 8 with the first innings lead of 403-runs.

Chasing this target, Mohali could score only 325-runs despite Sachin Sohal’s knock of 159-runs.

Earlier, Mohali lost their opener Harpreet (10) with the team’s total at 19.Vaibhav Gupta and Sachin Sohal put on 63-runs for the second wicket before Vaibhav was given out on 18-runs.

Birkanwar was the other main contributor in Mohali’s innings, scoring 63 runs off 91 balls.

For Jalandhar, Harry grabbed 4 wickets for 3 runs while Yogesh Kumar claimed 3 for 86 to secure six points for the winning team, including a bonus.

Brief Scores

Mohali (1st Innings) -197 in 77.5 overs

Jalandhar (1st Innings) - 600 for 8 declared (Abhishek Gupta 311, Siddharth Sharma 86, Love Kumar 65, Yogesh Kumar 35, Subek Gill 33 not out, Narinder Singh 2 for 69, Gagandeep 2 for 111, A Brar 1 for 129, Amrit Pal 1 for 107).

Mohali (2nd Innings) - 325 in 81.3 overs (Sachin Sohal 159, Maninder Singh 34, Birkanwar 63, Harry 4 for 37, Yogesh Kumar 3 for 86).

In another match, the tail-end batsmen helped Ludhiana to gain vital 58-runs first innings lead over Amritsar. After resuming from 193 for 5, Ludhiana ended the first innings on 436 runs in 151.2 overs.

Overnight batsman, Anil Sihag, scored 148 off 320 balls, studded with 20 boundaries and one six. He along with Gurinder Hara (25) added 89 runs for the sixth wicket and then along with Himanshu put on a 96-runs partnership for the seventh wicket.

Later, Himanshu (72) and Sandeep (56) added another 83 valuable runs to edge past the rival’s total. For bowling side, Sunny and Rahul Kanojia took three wickets each while Vinay Chaudhary claimed two wickets.

Trailing by 58-runs, the Amritsar team ended the third day’s play on a total of 32 for 2 with Ludhiana’s medium pacer Sukhjinder claiming both the openers, Rohan Marwaha (6) and Karan Sharma (8).

Brief Scores

Amritsar (1st Innings) -378 in 199.4 overs

Ludhiana (1st Innings)- 436 in 151.2 overs (Akhil Agarwal 50, Anil Sihag 148, Gitansh Khera 25, Gurinder Hara 25, Himanshu 72, Sandeep 56, Sunny 3 for 89, Rahul Kanojia 3 for 111, Vinay Chaudhary 2 for 98).

Amritsar (2nd Innings) - 32 for 2 in 12 overs (Sukhjinder 2 for 15)

In the third match, Chandigarh bowlers tightened their team’s grip on the match after forcing a follow-on on Patiala. Patiala managed a second-innings total of 197 runs for the loss of six wickets at the end of day’s play.

Earlier, resuming from their first-innings score of 95 for 5 at Dhruv Pandove Stadium, Patiala, the home team was bundled out for 178 in 68.5 overs.

Karan Kaila scored an unbeaten 42 off 70 with nine boundaries to top the team’s score chart. For Chandigarh, Abhilash Sharma was the pick of the bowlers for taking 4 for 41. He was supported by Aman Bharti (3 for 47) and Ratan Singh (2 for 25). Trailing by 268 runs, Patiala once again failed to take off a good start. The team lost their first two wickets with 33 runs on the score board. Later, Prabhjot Singh (17) and Himanshu Chawla (45 off 46) took the score to 72-runs but both were dismissed in quick succession.

Karan Kaila (42) and Vikrant Sirohi (31) also failed to convert their good starts into big innings. Till the end of day’s play, the Patiala team still needed 71 runs to avoid an innings defeat. For Chandigarh, Aman Bharti, Abhilash Sharma and Naveen Dhiman claimed two wickets each.

Brief Scores

Chandigarh (1st innings) - 446 all out in 147.3 overs

Patiala (1st innings) - 178 for all in 63.4 over (Karan Kalia 42 not out, Jeewanjot Singh 28, Abhilash Sharma 4 for 41, Aman Bharti 3 for 57, Ratan Singh 2 for 25). Patiala (2nd innings) - 197 for 6 in 68 overs (Himanshu Chawla 45, Karan Kaila 42, Vikrant Sarohi 31, Aman Bharti 2 for 61, Abhilash Sharma 2 for 48, Naveen Dhiman 2 for 22).