A policeman shows damaged windowpanes at the police station; and (right) arms seized from the attackers. Tribune photos: Manoj Mahajan

Notably, the police had arrested Sandeep, a resident of Naya Gaon, when he assaulted the policemen on duty at a naka last evening. Sandeep has done BTech from Devi Dayal College at Barwala and is unemployed, said the police.

SSP denies political angle to attack

Denying any political angle in the attack on the police station, Mohali SSP Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said the police had investigated the backgrounds of all the accused but none of them had been found having any political connection. “Most of the accused are youngsters, having ordinary backgrounds. Attacking the policemen in the police station is really a serious matter. No guilty would be spared,” said SSP Rajinder.

Attack Plan hatched over dinner

The police has said the plan to free Sandhu was made when his family, along with his close friends, came to give him food at the police station about an hour before the attack. “Just before the attack, Sandeep asked the policeman on duty to take him out of the lockup for answering the call of nature. Exactly at that time some of the attackers, who were present outside the police station, entered the building scaling the wall while the others started hitting the main gate of the police station with rods and ‘lathis’. In the melee, the attackers managed to make Sandhu sit in a Gypsy, which was parked outside the station, but our policemen managed foiled the attempt”, said the DSP.

Chandigarh, January 10
More than 50 per cent of the executive class tickets of the third Kalka Shatabdi were sold on the first day of booking for the train, which will be flagged off from Chandigarh on January 14.

According to the booking record, for the Chandigarh-Delhi journey, out of a total of 56 seats under the executive class category, 30 had been booked till 6 pm today, and of a total of 780 seats in the chair car category, 256 had been booked. Even the response to booking for the return journey from Delhi to Chandigarh is also excellent with 34 seats of the executive class and 195 seats of the chair car category having been booked till 6 pm.

Officials said the fare of the executive class would be Rs 1,080, including service tax and charges for lunch during the afternoon journey and dinner during the evening journey. The fare of the chair car will be Rs 513 for both the afternoon and evening trains. The officials at the booking counters said inquiries about the third Shatabdi had been on since morning.

Railway Divisional Manager PK Sangi said the response on the first day of booking for the third Shatabdi was good and more rush was expected on the weekends.

During a visit to the booking counter, it was found that there was a waiting list of 100 or 120 passengers for the morning Shatabdi. Most residents were cancelling their morning Shatabdi tickets and booking for the afternoon Shatabdi to get confirmed tickets. Sushma (70), the waiting number of whom in the list for the morning Shatabdi of January 13 was 50, said it was very difficult for a senior citizen like her to travel in the morning amid biting cold. The new Shatabdi timings are suitable and convenient for elderly persons.

A college student, Reshmi Verma, who was standing in a queue at the booking counters, said she and her friends wanted to enjoy the ride on the first day on the new train. As the fare of this train is the highest compared to other Shatabdis, the quality of food served on it would be better.

The afternoon Shatabdi will be flagged off by Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal from the Chandigarh railway station at 11:40 am and it will reach New Delhi at 3:00 pm. The train will leave Delhi at 7:15 pm and reach Chandigarh at 10:35 pm.

Chandigarh, January 10
The Station House Officers (SHOs) of the Chandigarh Police will no longer be allowed to issue residence proof certificates for the purpose of vehicle registration or getting a driver’s licence from the Registration and Licensing Authority (RLA).

The District Administration has now decided to be strict while accepting documents as proof of residence for the issuing of registration certificate or driver’s licence at the RLA.

While asking the general public to submit to the authority only the genuine proof of residence, the administration has done away with the old practice of accepting a report of the area SHO as a proof of residence.

At a meeting chaired by the Deputy Commissioner, Mohammed Shayin, it was decided to delete the clause from the checklist given by the RLA. It was also decided that instead of one year, applicants would be asked to furnish income tax returns of the last three years as one of the proofs of residence.

The DC said the amendments would be published in the information booklet within the next one week. “The SSP has already directed the SHOs not to issue any certificate of residence proof,” he said.

Mohali, January 10
A major tragedy was averted today when the pillars of four four-storeyed showrooms in a row started giving way today evening at Shahi Majra village here.

Over 200 persons, mostly youngsters, were present in the showrooms, which house several shops, computer retailers and placement centres there.

Several persons, who were present in the showrooms at the time of the incident, said they heard a loud noise and felt a jolt at around 4.30 PM.

“Firstly, I thought it was an earthquake and I asked everyone to run out of the building,” said Bhupinder Singh, who works at ISSSD Security Service, whose office is located in the building.

“When we came down, we were shocked to see the cemented material of two front pillars of the building giving way,” he added.

Similarly, Ashish Kumar, who runs Career Art on the third floor of the building, said he was busy in his work when all of a sudden he felt a shock. “Then I saw people running down for safety,” said Ashish.

Most of the shopkeepers were seen taking out their valuable goods out of the shops at the site. “I think that the building will cave in as the construction material seemed to be substandard,” said another shopkeeper.

Bir Singh, who runs Jai Lakshami Fabrics shop in the building, said goods worth about Rs 20 lakh were lying in his shop. “I don’t dare to enter in it now,” said Bir Singh.

Meanwhile, some of the shopkeepers started laying steel supporters and wooden poles to give support to the roof, along with the damaged pillars.

A team of the police immediately reached at the site. A fire tender was also sent to the spot to deal with any emergency.

“You see, the width of the each pillar is about nine inches and they have constructed four-storeyed building on it, along with basements. It is evidently an unsafe building,” said one of the shopkeepers there.

An owner of one of the showrooms, Colonel SS Sohi, said he had bought the showroom around seven years ago. “Like me, all owners have bought the already constructed showrooms,” said Sohi.

Chandigarh, January 10
One more case of swine flu was reported from the PGI today. A woman from Rajpura with symptoms of swine flu was admitted to the hospital, taking the total number of swine flu cases at the institute to 10.

A spokesperson said one out of the 10 patients admitted earlier was discharged today.

Among five vehicles, which the attackers used in the attack on the Naya Gaon police station, one car belonged to Haryana-cadre Indian Economic Service (IES) officer.

The DSP, Rajinder Singh Sohal, said the members of Sandeep’s family, Pawan Sandhu, Pritpal Kaur and Amandeep Sandhu, came in an SX-4 (having a red beckon). They left the vehicle when the policemen retaliated.

“We found that the car, bearing registration number HR70 L-0065, belonged to Haryana IES officer Hawa Singh, Director, Special Secretary (Finance). Then we came to know that Pawan Sandhu, Sandeep’s father, is the Haryana cadre IES officer’s driver,” said Sohal.

When asked whether the IES officer inquired about the vehicle or the police informed him about the development, the DSP said they would inform the officer soon about it.

“We did not get any call from the officer. May be he is not aware of the development but we will inform him soon,” said Sohal.

Along with the VIP vehicle, the police has also impounded a Swift (PB65R-477) and an I-20 (CH01AM 2357). The I-20 belonged to Sandeep while the Swift is owned by his friend Amit Saini.

Chandigarh, January 10
Internal rivalry among Congress councillors has once again surfaced when city Mayor Subhash Chawla agreed to take part in the Lohri celebrations of the Sector 21 Residents’ Welfare Association (RWA). Area councillor Mukesh Bassi (who represents Sectors 18, 19 and 21) has been completely sidelined in this entire episode.

The Lohri celebrations, scheduled for January 11, are being organised by the Sector 21 RWA, whose president, a Congress rebel, had independently contested the MC elections in 2011 against Mukesh Bassi, official candidate of the Congress.

In the invitation card of the Lohri programme, Mukesh Bassi’s name is also missing.

Besides, keeping in mind the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress is also planning to include the RWA president in the Congress, but in this process as well, Mukesh Bassi is never consulted, sources added.

Bassi said he was neither consulted nor invited in the programme.

Another Congress councillor and a former Mayor, Pardeep Chhabra, said every councillor should get due respect and regard in his ward.

It is worth mentioning here that Mukesh Bassi was also one of the contenders for the Mayor’s post this year but ultimately Congress High Command finalised the name of Subhash Chawla.

This is not for the first time that an argument has arisen among Congress councillors. Earlier on January 1, minutes after the victory in Mayoral elections, a scuffle broke out between councillor Satprakash Aggarwal and a former councillor Bhupinder Singh Badheri in the Mayor’s room. For the post of Mayor, Bhupinder Singh Badheri was lobbying for Subhash Chawla’s name and Sat Prakash Aggarwal, who was also one of the contenders for the Mayor’s post, was aware of it.

Enforcement staff of the UT estate office remove a partition from a shop in Sector 22 in Chandigarh on Thursday. Tribune photo: Manoj Mahajan

“Despite having no stay from courts, there are many building owners who continue with the violations. We are starting a concerted drive against such violators. Many are being issued penalty notices and others are being issued sealing notices,” said Rahul Gupta, Assistant Estate Officer.

UT to give 15-day notice to govt offices

The UT estate office has decided to give a final 15-day notice to the Haryana and Punjab offices in Sector 17 for glazing corridors. Several notices have been issued by the estate office in previous occasions, but to no avail.

Chandigarh, January 10
In an attempt to improve the sanitation condition of the City Beautiful, the Municipal Corporation today decided to impose a fine on throwing garbage in the open. The challans would be released only through the local districts court.

City Mayor Subhash Chawla said now whosoever would throw garbage in the open, MC officials would impose a fine of Rs 500 on the violators. He said earlier people were not taking challans seriously, therefore now they had decided that challans would be released only through court.

Chawla said no official or councillor would be authorised to reduce the amount of the fine.

The civic body today also gave challaning powers to all chief sanitary inspectors, sanitary inspectors, sub-divisional engineers and junior engineers. An MC official said challan books would be issued by the office of Medical Officer of Health and officials would submit the challaning amount with the same department after challaning the violators. — TNS

Chandigarh, January 10
A spectacular and enthralling performance, “Women with Broken Wings”, by Dr Mallika Sarabhai and Pianist Elizabeth mesmerised the audience at Tagore Theatre. The event was organised by the Chandigarh Police in collaboration with the Post Graduate Government College for Girls, Sector 42.

The performance depicted the plight of women throughout the world that took a special meaning after the Delhi gang rape incident. It aimed at generating awareness about the need to raise a collective voice against every act of violence against women.

Mallika with her lyrical but strong movements accompanied by stillness of eyes complemented Elizabeth’s rendition on the piano.

Answering queries, Mallika emphasised that we must stop pointing fingers at the victim, and instead focus the accusations on the perpetrators of violence. She said that though it was very difficult to step out of the house in such an environment, it was more traumatic and dehumanising to be a continuous victim of violence.

mohali scan
Cancer awareness

Cancer prevalence is increasing in India; however, the cases can be reduced through simple lifestyle changes, stated Dr JD Wig, director and head, department of general surgery, Fortis Hospital. Dr Wig was addressing over 90 senior citizens at a special free health education lecture organised by the hospital. Talking about cancer and its prevalence, Dr. Wig said, “Cancer is set to become a major health problem in every region of the world. The UN has forecast that global population will increase from to 8.3 billion by 2030. These changes translate to a predicted global burden of 20.3 million new cancer cases by 2030. Over the years, researchers have convincingly shown that lifestyle factors play a huge role in cancer incidence and mortality.”

Farewell party

The department of airlines tourism and hospitality management of Desh Bhagat University organised a farewell party for the BSc final year students. Various activities were organised during the event including fun games, modelling, musical chair and talent show. Sukhvir and Bablu Sharma were crowned Miss Farewell and Mr Farewell respectively. The award for Mr Personality was bagged by Gurpreet Singh, while Rajni Sharma was adjudged Miss Personality. — TNS

Chandigarh, January 10
Some unidentified miscreants broke the windowpanes of four cars parked outside the Boy’s Hostel Number 4 at Panjab University here early morning. Although the parking lot is situated just a few metres away from the hostel gate, the security personnel present at the gate was oblivious of the incident.

This happened while the university is making tall claims of strengthening the security on the campus by intensifying patrolling. Moreover, one security guard is always present at the hostel gate and is supposed to man the parking lot of the hostel. While CCTV cameras are installed at all the hostel gates, there are no cameras installed for the surveillance of the parking lots.

The PU authorities came to know about the incident in the morning, when the students saw the broken windowpanes. Around 10 cars were parked in the hostel parking lot when the incident took place. Videography of the damaged cars was done by the university security staff and the students who owned these cars were informed.

One of the students, whose Maruti Suzuki Zen car was damaged in the incident, said that a stereo and speakers were also stolen from the car.

Chief Security Officer (CSO) PK Dhawan said that it seemed some anti-social elements had broken the windowpanes as nothing was missing from the remaining three cars. “We are investigating the matter and the hostel security has being directed to remain alert,” Dhawan said.

The hostel authorities have also directed the students to avoid leaving expensive things in their cars.

Chandigarh, January 10
Despite separate rate lists of food and beverages for students and outsiders at Panjab University’s Student Centre, the students end up paying the same amount as the outsiders as the vendors have failed to display these rates. The students submitted a memorandum regarding this to the PU authorities today.

Following a protest staged by the students in November, last year, over the increase in the price of food in hostel messes and Student Centre, the university had decided that at Student Centre food would be available at the older rates for the students, while the new rates would apply only to outsiders. The PU authorities had asked the vendors to display the rate lists; however, the vendors have not complied with the direction.

NSUI leader Sunny Mehta said: “The students who are not aware of the fact that they are supposed to pay less are being fleeced by the shopkeepers, who are making a profit of several thousands of rupees everyday by overcharging the students.”

Mehta said the students had once again submitted a memorandum to the university authorities. “I don’t understand why the university is being lenient with the shopkeepers,” he said.

Students have threatened to launch a massive agitation if the university failed to act immediately.

Mehta said that a drive to inform the students about the different rates of food and beverages had also been launched. The university students can get food at cheaper rates by showing their university identity card, he said.

Chandigarh, January 10
Further doubts have been raised over the recruitment of 536 teachers by the UT Education Department in 2009, after around 10 candidates, who failed to get through at that time, recently submitted written representations to the department, claiming their eligibility under the original recruitment criteria advertised by the department in August 2007.

The stated criteria were allegedly overlooked during the recruitment in 2009, which is still under investigation.

These fresh representations are in a series of similar accusations made earlier. Recently, the department expelled two teachers to make way for Raminderjeet Kaur and Shalu Chawla, who managed to secure permanent appointment with the court’s intervention based on the recruitment criteria issued in 2007.

The candidates alleged in the fresh representations that the then procedure did not ensure full transparency and gave an edge to even those candidates who did not clear the screening test and lacked experience. The whole procedure was circumvented to keep the eligible candidates away, the representations stated.

Sources said that since the department is not expected to take any action on the fresh representations due to the ongoing litigations involving the matter, all these candidates are likely to move Chandigarh Administrative Tribunal against the alleged “faulty” recruitment procedure.

Officials feared that more accusations in the matter could bring the entire recruitment procedure under the scanner. So far the litigations were confined to SST, fine arts and math categories, but the fresh litigations could lead to scrutiny of appointments made under other categories too, officials said.

The department has also failed to justify the basis to expel Arpana Mahajan, one of the appointees during the 2009 recruitment process, who has argued in her petition filed to the tribunal that she should not to be considered the last candidate in her category (TGT SST). Mahajan was expelled to make way for Shalu Chawla, and her petition is pending before the CAT.