Honk, honk, this is PM’s motorcade
Yet another intrusion on sanitised route
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 30
For the second time in less than three days, the security on the sanitised route of the prime minister was breached when a motor cyclist suddenly appeared before the motorcade on Mathura Road in Kaka Nagar area. The prime minister was returning from Raj Ghat after paying homage to the Father of the Nation, Mahatama Gandhi, on his death anniversary this morning.

However, it was not a re-enactment of Tuesday night’s episode when the Maruti Esteem car managed to speed away to neighbouring Gurgaon and the motor cyclist was caught on the spot and taken in for interrogation.

The youth was identified as one Atul Tyagi, an employee of a local motor cycle manufacturing company who claimed that he had come to meet his sister living in the government colony of Kaka Nagar and had strayed onto the VIP route because of the morning fog. The police said that his antecedents were being checked but prima facie it appeared to be a case of “accidental straying” onto the sanitised route.

The incident has once again highlighted the inadequacies in the security system and the lack of proper coordination between the various agencies engaged in the onerous task of providing security to the VVIPs.

The police said that this morning’s incident occurred when the prime minister’s motorcade was returning from Raj Ghat. When the procession reached Mathura Road in front of the sprawling Kaka Nagar, across the road from Sunder Nagar, the motor cyclist suddenly appeared on the route and almost collided with the pilot car. The policemen on duty immediately swung into action and overpowered the youth and whisked him away to the nearby Nizammudin police station.

While the incident did not cause any delay or inconvenience to the VIP motorcade, it once again left a lot of red faces in the top echelons of the Delhi Police which is responsible for securing the routes and ensuring that no one strays on it. The president’s motorcade had used the same route and had passed a few minutes earlier. The motor cyclist may have thought that since the VVIP motorcade had passed, it was safe to proceed. The poor visibility possibly confused the motor cyclist further.

Senior police and security officers said that the breach in security incidents were being taken very seriously and were perhaps a blessing in disguise, enabling them to identify the areas which need to be reinforced. A specially convened meeting in the home ministry last night had laid stress upon upgrading the security around the prime minister and other VVIPs.

SPG frowns at faux pas
Syed Ali Ahmed
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 30
The Commissioner of Delhi Police called a meeting of senior officers on Thursday evening to review the security arrangements for VVIPs after the SPG submitted a report on Tuesday night’s faux pas to the Ministry of Home affairs. The SPG has expressed displeasure over the two security breaches in a week, sources said.

The commissioner pulled up the senior officers of South and South-West districts as both the security breach incidents occurred in these areas. The first incident occurred on Rao Tula Marg when a Maruti Esteem intruded into the path of the Prime Minster’s motorcade when he was coming from IGI Airport on Tuesday night. The second incident occurred on Thursday morning when he was returning to 7, Race Course Road after paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi.

The police commissioner also cautioned the senior officers of other districts and ranges that they must prevent such incidents from happening in future as the Capital is a sensitive city and on the `hit’ list of militants and other anti-national elements. In its report, the SPG mentioned that security arrangements of roads is the responsibility of the local police. If any security breach takes place, the local police should be held responsible. The roads are sanitised by the local police, after they are informed about the VVIP travel plans.

The joint commissioner of police, Mr S.K. Kain, said that a constable of Central Police Force was deployed at Kaka Nagar crossing from where a motor cyclist strayed onto the PM’s route. He had drifted in from a road opening at Kaka Nagar and intruded between the traffic pilot and the advanced security pilot, at Subramaniyam Bharti Marg. The incident occurred even though the traffic had been stopped at SB Marg and the Presidential motorcade had passed that way.

Shoppers’ Stop weans away Sadar Bazaar crowd
Ravi S. Singh
Tribune News Service

Gurgaon, January 30
The mushrooming of international brand retail outlets in the shopping malls that now dot the Gurgaon landscape has warmed the hearts of the consumers, but rung an alarm bell in the old bazaars of the city.

A few days ago, the Shoppers’ Stop, billed as the country’s premium lifestyle store, officially launched its first retail outlet in Gurgaon in the MGF Metropolitan Mall. This outlet, its 11th in the country, provides 28,000 sq ft of shopping experience with over 125 brands vying for attention under one roof.

According to the Director (Operations) of the Shoppers’ Stop, Mr. Sanjay Badhe, the firm was geared to a new level of growth with plans to open a minimum of 2 to 3 stores every year. However, the shopping extravaganza has rattled the owners of stores scattered in the main bazaars of the city, who thus far were snugly ensconced in a complacent sellers’ market.

The expanse of business shelves in the Shoppers’ Stop can be gauged from the fact that the ‘ground level’ houses a cosmetics and accessories section, which includes perfumes, trinkets, watches, sunglasses and a collection of ladies footwear and handbags. The ‘Level I’ showcases well-known ladies ensemble from ethnic wear to classic and western outfits to lingerie and exotic nightwear.

The ‘Designer Galleries’ will showcase the exhibits of some of the eminent designers. To boot, there will be a wide range of merchandise from leading brands for men — shirts, trousers, ties, suits and semi-formal attire — virtually everything that a man requires in his wardrobe. This floor also plays host to the e ‘Royal Sporting House’ and displays the latest sportswear. Also, this floor will house the home collection, men’s footwear, kidswear and toys.

The other malls set up by DLF Universal Ltd are again threatening to swamp the store owners in the city who have been doing one-way business with customers for several years. In DLF City Centre, there are 146 shops. The anchor store is: ‘Lifestyle’. The brand names housed under its roof are Time Zone, Bombay Selections, Mohan Lal and Sons, Meena Bazaar, Masper Stores, Shakuntalam Exclusive, Sarobe Fashion, Genesis Dream Merchant, L’Affaire, Fashionlite, Heritage, La’Coste, Barista, Bon-Ton and Moets.

In DLF Mega Mall, which will be commissioned shortly, the anchor store is that of “Big Joe”. Several brand names have lined up under its auspices. Some of them are: Old Street, Fashion Boulevard, Designer Ritu Kumar, Designer Ravi Bajaj, Peerless Carpets, Lee, Zodiac, Panna Sarees, Mehrasons, Baluja Shoes, NEXT, Planet Sports, Pall Mall, Chopsticks/Hot Bread, Foodworld, Flosyn Fragrance and K.B.Toys. The story is no different in other malls in the pipeline.

These stores are able to entice more customers by offering a holistic package. They provide a new “family shopping experience” with a sense of leisure and outing. The outlets offer an opportunity to have fun and play games and relax in the celluloid comfort of snazzy and spacious multiplexes. An owner of a garment store in the upmarket Sadar Bazaar summed up the mood among the members of his ilk, saying that the development did not augur well for their style of business.

JUVENILE LOVE
Khoon bhari maang and that too in the classroom
Our Correspondent

Sonepat, January 30
A Bollywood scene was enacted by a youth when he slashed his thumb with a blade and filled the `maang’ of his beloved with blood streaming down his wrist. The youth is a student of Class XI and studying in the non-government Senior Secondary School at Gohana town, 35 km from here.

According to a report, the youth forced his way into the classroom of his beloved and completed the `maang’ ceremony in the presence of other girl students. The classmates neither cried out in disbelief, nor did they turn cheerleaders. They were merely amused at how real life imitates reel life. Moreover, the youth did not linger in the classroom after doing the honours.

The youth reportedly fell in love a few months ago. When he found that the girl, too, was smitten, he decided to exhibit his true love, followed by a vow to marry her at all costs.

The girl belongs to a nearby village and was a trifle embarrassed before her classmates after the ceremony. She had to later fend off interesting queries from the other girls. The news about the incident spread like a wild fire in Gohana town, but the local residents were unfazed, preferring to take such display of affection in their stride. 

Rich haul of mongoose hair, 5 held
Our Correspondent

Gurgaon, January 30
The district police have seized around 25 kg of mongoose hair and arrested five persons, including the owner of the factory engaged in making brushes used for painting and white-washing.

This huge quantity of hair had been generated after killing more than 6,000 mongooses, observed the Chairman, People for Animals (PFA), Haryana, Mr Naresh Kumar Kadyan. As per a central government notification, the species of mongoose had been inserted in Part II of Schedule II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The Act states that no person shall hunt, use animal’s articles, trophy etc for any purpose.

Mr Kadyan informed mediapersons that the Chairperson of the PFA, Mrs Maneka Gandhi, got information that brushes were being made of mongoose hair in Gurgaon and surrounding areas and supplied to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bangalore.

Acting on the tip provided by her, Mr Kadyan with his team visited the place in 4/8 Marla and found that the unit had been shifted to a new place in Feroz Gandhi Colony recently. The police raided the place and found four workers busy at the job of making brushes. The police seized a large quantity of finished brushes of different sizes and around 25 kg of hair, which were to be used in producing brushes. The police have also taken possession of other raw materials used for the purpose.

The cost of the seized hair was more than Rs 5 lakh, said Mr Kadyan. More than 50,000 brushes could have been manufactured from the seized hair. The SSP, Mr Kuldeep Singh Siag, informed the owner of the unit, Mr Prabhu Dayal Chawla, and four workers, Kanahya, Ashok Kumar, Rafik and Sanjay, had been arrested. The police have lodged an FIR.

INNOVATIVE EDUCATION
Retrieving childhood through class libraries
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 30
If you thought that unconventional ways of learning find favour with just the students, sample what a MCD teacher has to say. “I feel like a six-year-old on a picnic. I must have read these stories a hundred times over in my career, but never had so much fun. I am dying to go back and share this with my students. My students will wonder where their strict Hitler has disappeared to and who is this new friend!”

This was Sumitra Meherwal’s confession. A teacher in the MCD School, Madangir, Sumitra along with her counterparts has received training to introduce the joy of learning through storybooks to students in MCD schools.

The Bharat Soka Gakkai (BSG), a Buddhist organisation working for peace through culture and education, has taken this initiative to introduce reading habits to the students in the Capital’s MCD schools.

Together with the MCD and the National Book Trust (NBT), a collaborative effort has been launched wherein these students will be introduced to reading through a series of NBT books. “We have begun with 10 schools. Each class will be supplied between 80-150 books along with the storage facility. These books are a mix of stories, picture books and even manuals for teachers”, explained Mr. Ashok Arora, Head of BSG’s Education division.

The books coupled with activities are being used to provide students conducive learning environs. “Since most of these students come from the marginalised sections of the society they have no access to any child-friendly media. With no reading habits, these children fail to perform despite the efforts made by the teachers”, added Arora.

The initiative called the ‘class library’ technique will be launched in 10 MCD schools. The BSG undertook an orientation programme for 117 teachers and 10 headmasters. Though convincing the MCD was not difficult, it was the teachers who showed reluctance. “The teachers were not ready to take on the added responsibility of looking after the books. We had to allay their fears first by relieving them of this responsibility. An orientation programme was also organised for the students, teaching them the value of books and why reading is important”, pointed out Arora.

The BSG will supply the materials required for the activities planned along with the NBT books. “ The idea is to have at least one activity in a month. Meet the author or stage a play, these children will be involved in various such activities”. Many feel the project will help guarantee a normal childhood to the students. Sangeeta Anand, a primary school teacher, MCD School, Pushp Vihar said, “Children in our schools are underprivileged. Their parents are by and large illiterate and domestic violence is a daily occurrence. In this milieu they are forced to become adults. So, it is heartening to see how BSG is trying to retrieve their lost childhood.”

Taking about the sustainability of the project Arora said, “Since most projects once launched fade away, we have ensured the sustainability of this one. Our members have adopted one schools each and they will aid the teachers in running the project, which will continue for two years”. 

41 held for hospital arson 
Our Correspondent

Bhiwani, January 30
The police have arrested 41 persons in connection with the arson and damage caused to property at Sangwan Hospital in Badhra on December 29. The police had registered cases under Sections 452, 427 and 437 of the IPC against 49 persons.

Earlier, executives of the Sarvjatiya Sheoran Khap Chaurasi had decided at a meeting held at Bhandwa village under the presidentship of Ram Swaroop Sidhanwa that they would court arrest if any attempt was made to nab a few of the villagers. However, Dr Anant Kaur, wife of Dr Sumer Singh Sangwan, who is under judicial custody at present, did not appear before the panchayat. The village elders had decided to have a meeting with the administration on Thursday in the presence of those booked in the case and demand the withdrawal of cases against people who had been allegedly implicated falsely. The meeting decided to demand a judicial inquiry into the hospital episode. The panchayat flayed the arson at the hospital.

Dr Sangwan had been arrested on the charge of molesting a girl of Lad village. The victim was later found dead under mysterious circumstances. The residents of Badhra had protested against the opening of the hospital and launched a silent agitation.

Manmohan denies getting notice from NDMC

New Delhi, January 30
Senior Congress leader and former Union Finance Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, today categorically denied receiving any notice or challan from NDMC for illegally keeping cattle in the backyard of his bungalow.

Endeavour to preserve Delhi’s heritage & ethos
Jeevna Bhinder

New Delhi, January 30
Delhi without any doubt has a rich heritage. The best way to know the heritage of the city is to know its monuments. These monuments stretch from Wazirabad in the north to the Qutab. Between these two points, the history of this ancient city lies. Today, when the city is facing the challenge of the 21st century, the concept of conservation of heritage is becoming more complex. For this reason the Conservation Society of Delhi (CSD) has put conservation on the agenda as a prime objective for India’s fastest growing city.

Ms Nalini Thakur, President of the CSD, said, “The CSD is keen to preserve not only the physical remnants of Delhi’s heritage but also the intangible ethos that lend strength and vitality to its cultural environment.”

Out of 1,400 monuments, as many as 500 no longer exist. In Mehrauli alone, there are about 189 monuments. It is one of the 111 traditional settlements within the city which have been of special significance for the CSD. The havelis of Mirza Babar and Mirza Salim constructed during the regime of Akbar Shah ll are in a shambles and many more are on the list. One example of this is the Bhulbhulaiyan, the tomb once used as residence by an Englishman , Blake, who was assistant at Jaipur. It was later used as a police station and tehsil office. Nowadays, it is a popular place for a rendezvous, especially in the cool evenings, with the locals playing cards while munching fried pakoras from the stalls nearby.

The Conservation Society of Delhi has launched the Mehrauli Archaeological Park concept to safeguard the area. In association with INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage), the CSD has brought out a set of well-researched maps on the heritage of Mehrauli.

Apart from the Lalkot ramparts and the Qutab complex, there are many other historical monuments in Mehrauli worth exploring but they are all in a state of disrepair. These include mosques, tombs, baolis and gardens scattered in the DDA parkland or half-buried in the natural undergrowth.

Ms Naraini Gupta, a historian and a writer of many books, lamented that Delhiites are not taking keen interest in the preservation of these monuments. According to the former convenor of INTACH, if every citizen of Delhi visits the monuments three or four times in a year then their demolition can be checked.

The objective of the CSD is organising and conducting study courses, seminars, lectures on topics related to Delhi’s heritage. The CSD activities include people from different walks of life, such as students, local communities, professional and the general public. The CSD heritage walks are a veritable educational experience. The areas covered are Lalkot, Sultan Ghari, Khirkee Masjid, Satpula, Kotla Mubarakpur, Chirag Delhi, Lodhi tombs, Lal Bangla in the Golf Course, Hastal, Purana Quila and other recent excavations in Delhi.

Labour leaders deny sending memo to CM
Our Correspondent

Sonepat, January 30
Mr Ram Swaroop Lakra, a leader of the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), and Mr Howa Singh, vice-president of the Haryana unit of CITU, have denied sending a memorandum to the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, demanding an inquiry into the functioning of the Labour Department and suspension of the District Labour and Conciliation Officer as well as the inspectorate staff of the department.

In a joint press statement issued here today, they also maintained that the trade union leaders and workers were satisfied with the functioning of the Labour Department as the officials were taking steps for safeguarding the interests of the workers. They also said hey had not levelled allegations against the District Labour and Conciliation Officer and the inspectorate staff

regarding ‘their partisan attitude’ towards the workers of the industrial units while settling the disputes between the employers and the employees.

The union leaders also alleged that certain mischievous elements were out to malign the image of the District Labour and Conciliation Officer and the inspectorate staff for their selfish ends.

Meanwhile, inquiries made by this correspondent have revealed the District Labour and Conciliation Officer had received as many as 436 complaints from the employees and the employers of the industrial units during the current financial year. In turn, the District Labour and Conciliation Officer had disposed of 400 complaints through negotiations. Still, 36 complaints were pending with the DLO for consideration and the process for settling the disputes on a priority basis was on.

Regarding the violation of the Shops Act, the District Labour and Conciliation Officer has directed the inspectorate staff to take action against those shopkeepers who are found flouting the Act by opening their shops on Sundays, which has been declared a holiday for them.

Power tariff being pocketed

New Delhi, January 30
The BJP has sought a clarification from the Government of NCT of Delhi on the allegedly illegal collection and pocketing of electricity bills by private contractors from people living in unauthorised colonies, resettlement colonies and slums.

Bijli Sabha gets 25 complaints in Rohtak
Our Correspondent

Rohtak, January 30
As many as 25 complaints of electricity consumers were received at a Bijli Sabha organised by the Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN) here. A spokesman of the UHBVN said that the nigam had decided to arrange for bijli sabha in all towns under its command area comprising Rohtak, Jhajjar, Sonepat, Panchkula, Kaithal, Ambala, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Yamuna Nagar, Jind and Panipat districts.

He admitted that most of the complaints received had been pending for long and claimed that the complaints relating to wrong billing were settled immediately.

He informed a delegation of the residents of Nandal village that a distribution transformer had been allocated for the village by the Director, Operations.

He said it would ensure good quality power supply to the villagers and urged them to make timely payment of their electricity bills.

While addressing the officials, Mr S.S. Panwar, Superintending Engineer, urged them to settle the pending complaints in a good spirit. He said that the aim of the Haryana Power Utilities was consumer satisfaction.

He also announced that more bijli sabhas would be organised at Meham, Kalanaur, Sampla, Beri and Bahadurgarh towns. The pending complaints would be settled within 10 days, he promised.

PM to lay foundation stone of Rs 100-crore Aastha Kunj
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 30
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee will lay the foundation stone of the Rs 100-crore Aastha Kunj on February 1. Aastha Kunj is a project for developing and transforming the Lotus Temple and Kalkaji Temple into a cultural complex.

“The 200-acre complex that comprises several ancient temples like the Kalkaji and Shiva temples, Lotus Temple and Hare Krishna Temple of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) would be developed with an aim to offer an unique experience to pilgrims and visitors,” said the member of Parliament from South Delhi, Mr Vijay Kumar Malhotra.

He told media persons on Thursday that project envisages the construction of parking lots, ornamental parks, amphitheatre, prayer space, and food courts. The Delhi Development Authority (DDA), which will fund the project, has already spent Rs 50 crore to relocate slum dwellers in the area. Over 25 thousand residents were rehabilitated in Village Molarband.

CPM flays increase in phone tariff
Our Correspondent

Rohtak, January 30
The Haryana unit of the CPM has strongly criticised the substantial enhancement in basic telephone tariff by Telephone Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). Mr Inderjit Singh, state secretary of the party, has charged the Vajpayee government of forcibly pushing the ordinary telephone consumers towards the multinational companies.

He condemned the TRAI proposals, particularly those related to the enhancement of the monthly rental, reduction in per call timing from 3 to 2 minutes, curtailing the number of free calls and increasing the pulse rate.

The party has described the proposed move as “arbitrary” and a blatant attack on the common people. He said the proposed move has come at a time when the private sector mobile services had announced various concessions to their consumers. He said such retrograde move of the TRAI is bound to destroy the public sector and further reduce the job opportunities, he said.The party called upon the people to actively associate themselves with the ongoing struggle.

DELHI DIGEST
Delhi Tourism Folk Festival at Dilli Haat
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 30
The second Delhi Tourism Folk Festival, in association with SPIC MACAY, began in the Capital’s Dilli Haat today. On the occasion of Martyr’s Day today, bhajans, kirtans and folk songs were presented by Meeta Pandit and Deepmala Mohan. The festival, which will continue for a fortnight, will showcase a series of performances including one by noted Pandvani singer, Teejan Bai on the January 31.

Hans Raj Hans, with his Sufi kalaam, langas and manganiars presenting Maharashtrian folk music, will also perform on February 7 and February 9. The Wadali brothers will perform on February 2. These programmes will begin at 6 pm. Dilli Haat is currently playing host to nature bazaar.

Fund collection controversy: The All India Jat Mahasabha today asked the Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, to come out clean on the funds collected by him for helping the deposed Fijian Prime Minister, Mr Mahendar Choudhury, victims of Gujarat earth quake and martyrs of Kargil.

The mahasabha in a release asked the Haryana Chief Minister to state the amount collected, the bank account in which the money was deposited and contribution made for the said cause.

Medical Test postponed: The Post-Graduate Medical Entrance Test of Delhi University, scheduled for February 9, has been postponed to February 16. The announcement was made in the Capital today by the officials of the university. The timings of the examination, however, continue to remain the same. The pulse polio immunisation programme, which is scheduled on February 9, has been cited as the reason for the postponement of the exam. 

NCR BRIEFS
Girl student killed in road accident 
Our Correspondent

Sonepat, January 30
A girl student of Sir Chhotu Ram Modern Senior Secondary School at Rattangarh Majra village in this district was killed in a road accident. According to a report, she sustained serious injuries when a mini bus in which she was travelling, overturned on the Sonepat-Gohana road near Garhi village, about 15 km from here on Tuesday evening. She was rushed to the local civil hospital from where she was sent to the trauma centre in Delhi for further treatment.

Plea for transfer

Faridabad: The Nagar Palika Karamchari Sangh, Haryana and the employees of the Municipal Corporation Faridabad (MCF) have asked the Haryana Government to transfer the Municipal Commissioner, Mr Pushp Raj Singh. At a meeting held here yesterday, the Sangh leaders adopted a resolution seeking the transfer.

According to the general secretary of the Sangh, Mr Rattan Lal Rohilla, several works and files had been pending for long as the authorities concerned allegedly keep moving the files from one office to other just to ‘delay’ the work.

He said being one of the largest civic bodies in the state, MCF required active officials who take full interests in the matters concerning the development and welfare of the staff working here.

He alleged that as the `process’ of handling the development work was very slow, various departments had a large number of files pending.

Khurana accused of being 'opportunistic’
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 30
Joining issue with Madan Lal Khurana, the Congress on Thursday said the “concern” of the Delhi Pradesh BJP president for unauthorised colonies was opportunistic as he had, during his last stint as member of Parliament and member of the Consultative Committee of Ministry of Urban Development, appealed to the authorities concerned to dispatch bulldozers to the unauthorised colonies of Kakrola, Madhu Vihar, Raj Nagar, Sadh Nagar and Mahavir Enclave.

Ridiculing him, Mr Balwan Khokhar, told media persons that Khurana was only shedding crocodile tears for doling out ‘sops’ ahead of the elections.

DMRC gets two more trains 

New Delhi: The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) recently received two more trains from South Korea. The DMRC now has eight trains. One train has four coaches. Four such trains are in operation on the Shahdara-Tis Hazari corridor. The fifth and sixth trains are undergoing trials. The new trains that arrived on Monday will commence trials soon.

The 4.5-kilometre-long Tis Hazari-Tri Nagar corridor is expected to begin ferrying commuters in September this year. TNS

Best marching contingent
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 30
The Delhi Police have been adjudged the best marching contingent among paramilitary forces that participated in the Republic Day parade this year.

It has won the best marching contingent trophy 12 times since the trophy was instituted in 1987.

The contingent was commanded by Assistant Commissioner of Police, Sanjeev Yadav and included three Sub-Inspectors, 24 Head Constables and 120 Constables led by the Delhi Police band.

CRIME

Mass murderer held
Our Correspondent

Ghaziabad, January 30
The Vijay Nagar Police today claimed to have arrested a dreaded criminal of UP, who is a member of the Jatan Sirohi gang, after an encounter in the morning. Jatinder, who is allegedly behind 10 murders, is the right hand man of the notorious Jatan Sirohi.

The SP (City), Mr Rajesh Kumar Pandya, said the Station Officer, Vijay Nagar police station, received a tip-off that a dreaded criminal, Jatinder, son of Om Prakash, resident of Saidpur, was loitering in his area.

When he reached the place indicated by the informer and challenged the criminal, Jatinder opened fire on the police force. The cops fired back and managed to overpower the desperado, the SP said. SP Pandya said Jatinder was wanted by the Bibi Nagar police in Bulandshahr and was carrying an award on his head. Jatinder was responsible for the mass murder of 10 persons in Saidpur, the SP said.

Criminal escapes police dragnet
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 30
North district police have launched a hunt to arrest an alleged criminal, Suresh, alias Pawwa (35), who managed to escape from police dragnet after a brief encounter near Shakti Nagar. The criminal was on his way to attend a marriage, along with his associates and family members.

Special staff team of police was deployed there, which spotted him in a Maruti car. When the police chased him, he fired a few rounds from the car. In retaliation, the police returned fire.

Two shots were also fired at the police team from a white Ambassador car, in which his son, Rahul and his maternal uncle, Inderjeet, were travelling.

While Inderjeet was arrested, the other occupants of the car managed to escape. Nobody was injured in the encounter. A case has been registered, the police said.