Car catches fire, driver safe

Zirakpur: A moving Skoda car (CH 01 AT 5310)   suddenly caught fire on VIP Road here on Wednesday. However, the car owner, Randeep Singh, a resident of Zirakpur who was driving the vehicle, escaped unhurt as he managed to alight from the burning car. Randeep was returning home from Chandigarh when he noticed smoke emanating from the engine. OC 

Cyclist hit by a PCR vehicle, hurt

Chandigarh: A 48-year-old cyclist, Mahinder Singh, was seriously injured after being hit by a speeding PCR Ertiga vehicle of the Chandigarh Police in Sector 17 on Wednesday. The incident took place at a light point near Hotel Taj. The driver of the police vehicle, Head Constable Panjab Singh, was arrested and later released on bail. The injured, Mahinder, was rushed to the PGI in a police vehicle. The victim works at a hotel in Sector 17 and resides in Nayagaon. A case has been registered against the policeman. TNS

RLA office closed on April 15

Chandigarh: The office of the Registering and Licensing Authority, Sector 17, Chandigarh, will remain closed on April 15 (Saturday). TNS 

Workshop for cops, wardens of childcare institutions

Chandigarh: The Chandigarh Commission for Protection of Child Rights (CCPCR) in collaboration with the UT police and the Department of Social Welfare organised a capacity-building workshop for policemen and wardens of child-care institutions at Snehalaya in Maloya. Mahavir Singh, Member Secretary, State Legal Services Authority (SLSA), Chandigarh, was the chief guest and stressed on the need for multi-sectoral efforts and cooperation to improve lives of children in difficult circumstances. Nina Nayak, former chairperson of the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KCPCR), spoke about the role of police and wardens towards children entering the juvenile justice system.  She said child-friendly measures must be adopted at all stages to promote the dignity of children. TNS

Fire destroys wheat crop on six acres in Kharar

Kharar: Standing wheat crop on six acres was destroyed due to a spark in electricity wires at Bassian Brahamna village here on Wednesday. The crop belonged to two farmers of the village, Sukhwinder Singh and Prem Chand. Village sarpanch Mohinder Singh and the president of the Bhartiya Kissan Union, Mohali, Ravinder Singh Dehkalan, said though the Electricity Department was informed about the wires many a times, no action was taken in this regard. OC

Two arrested with 10 kg of poppy husk

Dera Bassi: The police arrested two persons and recovered 10 kg of poppy husk here on Wednesday. The accused has been identified as Jot Jatinder Singh and Daljit Singh, residents of Nawahsaher and Jalandhar, respectively. Ashwani Kumar, the ASI posted at the Dera Bassi police station, said a naka was laid near Sukhmani College, Dera Bassi. The accused who were coming from the Ambala side in a Scorpio car were stopped for checking and the police party recovered 10 kg of poppy husk from their possession. The police produced both accused in a local court, which sent them to 14-day judicial custody. OC

Two men die after consuming liquor in Kharar

Kharar: Two persons died after consuming excessive liquor in Kharar on Tuesday. Head Constable Rajpal of the Kharar sadar police said one of the deceased, Sukhdep Singh (25), was an alcoholic. Following a severe pain, he was referred to the Civil Hospital in Kharar from where he was refereed to the GMCH-32, Chandigarh, where he died. In another case, Tuntun Tewari (18) of Bihar was found hanging at an under-construction house in Nav City here. Head Constable Kewal Krishan said he committed suicide under the influence of liquor. OC

One nabbed with 3.5 kg of ganja in Lalru

Lalru: The police on Wednesday arrested a drug peddler with 3.5 kg of ganja. The accused has been identified as Sunil Kumar (45), a  resident of Ambala Cantt. Sahib Singh, in-charge of the Lehli police post said the police party had laid a naka near the Dappar bus stand and the accused was stopped for checking. The accused would be produced in a local court tomorrow. OC   

Chandigarh Police arrest 2 drug peddlers with heroin

Chandigarh: Two drug peddlers were arrested on Wednesday by teams of the operation cell of the UT police. According to the police, accused Vikas, a resident of Sector 45, Burail, was arrested from the road separating Sectors 45 and 46 with 25.14 gm heroin. Another police team arrested Sonu Goyal, a resident of Baltana, Zirakpur, from the road separating Sectors 44 and 45 with 10.14 gm heroin. TNS

Bansal condemns 3-fold increase in entry tax 

Chandigarh: Former Union Minister and senior Congress leader Pawan Kumar Bansal has condemned the decision of the Haryana Government for the three-fold increase in entry tax on non-Haryana taxis from Rs 3,000 per quarter to Rs 100 per day. In a statement, Bansal said that besides imposing financial burden on commuters, the hike militates against the concept of eliminating inter-state entry barriers and would unnecessarily tax people for moving within the tricity of Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula. TNS

Theft at booth in Sector 46, jewellery, Rs 20,000 stolen

Chandigarh: A theft at a booth was reported in Sector 46, where thieves decamped with jewellery and Rs 20,000 in cash. The police have initiated an investigation into the matter.According to the police, Rajiv Gupta reported that someone had stolen gold and silver jewellery and Rs 20,000 in cash from his booth on intervening night of April 10 and 11. A case has been registered at the Sector 34 police station. TNS

Mason alleges assault by village panch, three others

Fatehgarh Sahib: Saudagar Singh, a mason of Kalemajra here, was allegedly assaulted by a panch and three others of Havara Kalan village after he demanded money for the services rendered by him. The victim, who suffered a fracture in his left arm, has been admitted to the local Civil Hospital. The accused have been identified as Ranjit Singh, Jiwan Singh, Gurddeep Singh and Gulzar Singh. Saudagar said he had worked as a mason in the house of Jagtar Singh, a resident of Hawara Kalan, but the latter refused to pay him in lieu of the services rendered by him after which he complained to the police. He alleged that panch Ranjit Singh, who also owed money to him, called him to his house and pressured him to withdraw the case before assaulting him. However, panch Ranjit Singh termed the allegations baseless. TNS

Women’s wing at armed forces preparatory academy

Fatehgarh Sahib: Lt Gen Surinder Singh, GOC, Western Command, inaugurated a women's wing at Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Armed Forces Preparatory Academy here. He said it was an honour for any youth to be a part of the Indian armed forces. Presiding over the function, SGPC chief Kripal Singh Badungar said it was a matter of concern as the number of youth joining the armed forces from Punjab had dwindled. He said the preparatory academy, set up last year, would prepare 40 girls for the armed forces. Last year, 65 boys were selected from the academy. This, year the number has touched 80. TNS