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August 26, 2003, Chandigarh, India
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IAF rocket falls on two houses Sherpur Khurd (Ludhiana), August 25 The major part of the rocket fell on the house of Sub-Inspector Harchand Singh (retired), at about 7.15 a.m. today. The splinters and some parts of its shell fell on the house of his elder brother Hoshiar Singh. The rocket missed Harchand Singh’s daughter Amandeep Kaur by about five feet. She was reading a newspaper in the verandah when the rocket fell. Other family members were inside the house. The family of Hoshiar Singh also had a miraculous escape. ‘‘I don’t know what happened. I just heard a loud noise and I only thought of running out of the house”, said Amandeep Kaur. She said her mother Harpreet Kaur and brother Gurbhagat Singh were inside the house and her father was in the bathroom when the incident took place. They all ran out and were joined by other villagers. A four-feet crater was formed at the site. A blast took place just before the rocket hit the house, eyewitnesses claimed. Two rooms of the house were partially damaged. The SDM, Jagraon, Mr Gurmeet Singh, SSP Mukhwinder Singh Chhina and Security Officer Air Force Station, Halwara, G.S. Riar, controlled a mob that was protesting against the practice by the Air Force pilots. The Air Force authorities cordoned off the area. Air Force officials maintain that there was very less scope of a human error and greater possibility of technical mal-functioning, the SDM was told. The SDM said that the villagers had not officially demanded shifting of the range and were only concerned about the safety of the residents. The panchayat of the village had a detailed meeting with the civil, police and Air Force authorities later at Jagraon. The Air Force officials have agreed to compensate the family by paying for the repair work of the damaged rooms. The Sodhi walla range has had such accidents before. In October last year, residents of Sidhwan Bet had fled their houses when fighter planes came very close to the village during their routine target practice. The loud noise caused by the rocket jolted not only this but adjoining villages also. Hundreds of persons, including women and children rushed towards the site fearing that there was another MiG crash. One such plane had crashed in Mullanpur Dakha few months ago. |
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Consumer
Forum order not heeded to Ludhiana, August 25 The complainant, Mr Amrit Pal Singh, a resident of Atam Nagar, had filed a complaint under the Consumer Protection Act against the bank in the forum, which had directed the bank to return the car on July 17. But he has been running from pillar to post to get the possession of the Santro car which, he claims, is parked in the Car Bazar. Mr Amrit Pal said he had paid all instalments and did not owe anything to the bank but the bank authorities were not giving the car back to him. The bank authorities had impounded the car in June this year after one of his post-dated cheques had bounced. He said that four-five unidentified persons had descended on his house one morning and gone with the car. They had even hit him on his head and he was still on medication. He added that the persons had even gone with some expensive items kept in the car. “While I have already paid the amount due to me to the bank, why are they not returning my car? It is parked in the car bazar unattended in rain and shine, said Mr Amrit Pal. He claimed that he had submitted the no dues certificate to the bank authorities also but they were dilly-dallying the return of the car without any reason. “I have gone to them several times. But they say that they will teach me a lesson before handing over the car to me. But when I have paid the amount, on what grounds are they victimising me?” he asked. Mr Amrit Pal had filed a complaint under the Consumer Protection Act against the bank, alleging that he got a Santro car financed from ICICI Bank in Feroze Gandhi Market. He said that an amount of Rs 3 lakh was financed for the purchase. At that time it was agreed that he would repay the loan amount in 59 monthly installments of Rs 6,525 each and he also issued 59 post-dated cheques in favour of the bank. He added that 13 cheques were duly encashed but due to some financial constraints and without any mala fide intentions, the cheque dated June 1, 2003, got bounced, and a request was made to the bank officials to present the cheques after some time. He alleged that without considering his request, the opposite party, through some hired persons, forcefully snatched the car. He pleaded that no notice was issued by the opposite party before taking the possession of the car and its accessories. |
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Nominations
filed for PAUTA elections Ludhiana, August 25 Standing for the post of the president are Mr A.S. Joshi from the Department of Economics who is currently heading the association. Opposing him is Dr Ranjit Singh Brar from the Department of Agronomy. Various representatives of Mr Joshi’s group include Dr Amrik Singh Sohi from the Department of Entonomology, vying for the post of vice-president. Dr Joginder Singh Brar from the Department of Soils has filed his nomination for the post of secretary. Dr Harmeet Singh Kingra from the Department of Economics has sent his name for the post of joint secretary. Standing on the post of treasurer from the same group is Mr Jasbir Singh Deol from the Department of Agronomy. The group has also filed 10 nominations for the post of 10 councillors. These include Mr Sarabjit Singh from the Department of Civil Engineering, Dr H.S. Sandhu from the Department of Pharmacology, Dr Devinder Kaur from the Department of Clothing and Textiles, Dr Vipin Kumar Sharma from the Department of Plant Breeding, Dr Harjit Singh from the Department of Horticulture and Dr Amrit Lal Singh from the Department of Livestock Management. Among the members who have filed their nominations for councillors in the outstation centres are Dr Paramjit Singh for the Regional Research Station, Bathinda, Dr R.J.S. Sahota for the Krishi Vigyan Kendra at Kapurthala and Dr Parambir Singh for Farm Advisory Research Centre at Sangrur. In contrast, the members of Dr Ranjit Singh Brar group have Dr Gurmeet Singh Bains from the Department of Agronomy vying for the post of vice-president. Dr K.N. Sharma from the Department of Soils has filed his nomination for the post of secretary. Dr Kulwant Singh Sandhu from the Department of Food, Science and Technology is trying for the post of joint secretary and Mr Mandhir Singh Aulakh from the Department of Landscaping and Floriculture has filed the nomination for the post of treasurer. Three members from the team have filed their nominations for the post of councillors. These include Dr Charanjit Singh Bagga, Dr Videsh and Dr Vashisht. Giving this information, Dr G.S. Deol, returning officer, said that this was the last day for filing nominations. Tomorrow, he said, would be the last day for withdrawal of nominations. In case there are no withdrawals, preparations for elections, including printing of ballot papers, would begin. Meanwhile, highlighting their past achievements and promising fulfilment of all their demands, both the parties have issued their memoranda and are busy
canvassing from department to department for getting their members elected. |
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Buying domestic help Ludhiana, August 25 A resident of Civil Lines, after much persuasion, revealed that the 16-year-old Nepalese girl working as domestic help in her house was brought by one of the employers in her husband’s
factory. "The employer said she was his cousin. As her parents were old, they could not look after their five children. The employer gave the parents Rs 2,500 and brought her here. We also paid the employer Rs 5,000 in advance so that she did not go anywhere else,” the woman said. Another Nepalese girl was brought in the city by her father, a handicapped person. “My mother, the bread-winner in the family, used to work in the fields and earn money. But after her death, my father was unable to take care of me and my brother. Someone suggested to my father that I should be sent to India to work. I am here for the past seven years. Every year, my father comes and takes advance from my employer.” Hundreds of girls are bought here in the city. Employers pay a handsome amount to parents of the girls. Ms Shalini Aggarwal, a housewife, said these teenaged girls were proving to be good domestic help. “I have two daughters and to look after them, I need a helping hand. We have a good maid from Kerala. I had paid a good amount to her parents so that she did not leave my house. It's good that her parents are away,” she said. It is learnt that these teenaged tribal girls are sold for between Rs 3,000 and Rs 7,000, depending on their stay. One such girl, who did not wish to be named, said, “In Ludhiana, people pay you handsomely. One of my sisters is in Jalandhar, but her employers do not pay her well. We both have been sending money to our parents regularly in Jharkhand.” A 14-year-old Christian girl, working in Aggar Nagar, said, “I came here with two of my cousins from Bihar. They had already spoken to my employers, who paid him Rs 6,000 in advance. I will visit my parents after six months now. I am leading a comfortable life here. I would prefer settling down in the city as my place (a village in Bihar) offers no scope for money-making.” Most of these girls belong to the labour class. Initially, they face a number of problems but they gain confidence once they become accustomed to their new lifestyle. “I used to miss my parents and my friends when I was brought here. We used to speak Tamil in our native village but here everyone spoke Punjabi or Hindi. It was very difficult to communicate but now I am quite comfortable with the language and lifestyle,” said a 17-year-old girl, who was brought to the city as a domestic help about six years ago. |
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Husband
gets life term in dowry death case Ludhiana, August 25 Delivering the verdict, Mr A.S.Kathuria, fast-track court judge held that the guilt of the accused had been proved beyond doubt. However, the court acquitted Shakuntala Devi, mother, and Seema Rani, sister-in-law of Gulshan Kumar, as the charges levelled against them could not be proved. The accused were booked under Section 302 of the IPC on July 29, 1997, at the Focal Point police station, on the statement of Varsha Rani, the girl’s mother. But the court awarded sentence under Section 304-B of the IPC, as the charge under Section 302 was not established. The victim’s mother had stated to the police that adequate dowry had been given at the time of the marriage but the girl’s in-laws were not happy. She alleged that they used to taunt and maltreat the newly-wedded girl. Several times, we convened panchayats and sent her back to the matrimonial home with the hope that better sense would prevail upon them but all in vain. According to the prosecution, on July 29, the accused forcibly took Kiran into the bathroom, poured kerosene oil on her and set her on fire. The mother and the brother of the victim reported the matter to the police. During the trial, the accused claimed that they had been falsely implicated. However, the Judge found the husband guilty and awarded the sentence. |
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Group clash
at district courts Ludhiana, August 25 Rana is a complainant in a case against Lalla. Supporters of both persons had come in large numbers at the courts. Some comments passed against each other led to the clash in which soda bottles were freely used for about 15 minutes. The number of injured persons could not be ascertained as none of the group members lodged a complaint with the police. People present in the court complex had to run for cover in order to escape injuries. Some bottles fell into a court room also. |
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Register case against MLA, son: BJP leader Ludhiana, August 25 Addressing a press conference here today, Mr Gosain said it was ironical that while the Congress government in the state was boasting of a stringent drive against corruption, its own MLAs were making a mockery of the education system by allegedly using their influence. Vindicating his stand Mr Gosain said MLA Surinder Dawar’s son, Manik Dawar, had taken admission in B.Com part-II in a local government college although he had failed in B.Com part-I examination conducted by Panjab University, Chandigarh. Mr Gosain alleged that Manik had appeared in B.Com part-I examination with roll No. 5183 and as per a copy of the gazette he had failed in the examination. However, he managed to take admission in B.Com part-II in Satish Chander Dhawan Government College. Mr Gosain demanded the resignation of Mr Dawar, alleging that he was also involved in forging the documents as he had signed on the admission form submitted by his son. He said the father-son duo should be booked under Sections 420, 467, 468 and 471 of the IPC. He also demanded a thorough inquiry into the case. The BJP leader alleged that Mr Dawar’s son had not even applied for revaluation and had failed in five of the six subjects. He alleged that Manik had attached a copy of the B.Com part-I certificate which showed that he had obtained very good marks. Mr Gosain stated that he had complained to the Controller of Examinations and the Vice-Chancellor of Panjab University to order an inquiry into the case. He claimed that a team of PU officials had confiscated documents pertaining to Manik’s admission. Mr Surinder Dawar said when he signed on his son’s admission form, he was not aware that he had flunked in the examination. “Maybe out of fear my son came to me and told me that he had passed with very good marks.” he said, adding that the university should inquire into the case and if he was found guilty he should be punished as per the law of the land. He refuted the allegations that he had used his influence to forge a certificate. Mr Dawar said his political rivals had kicked up this controversy to malign him. |
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Bring defence under NHRC scrutiny: Mann Ludhiana, August 25 In a memorandum to Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani, the Akali Dal (Amritsar) president has further sought that amnesty international and the International Committee of the Red Cross must have access to Jammu and Kashmir, Gujarat and Punjab to gauge the gravity of ‘war crimes’. Mr Mann has urged the Deputy Prime Minister to implement the constitutional review committee report and amend Article 25 of the Constitution whereby the Sikhs have been clubbed as a religion. “With the Hindus ‘I have already requested you to move a constitutional amendment Bill in this respect. Please ensure you move the Bill in the next winter session of Parliament,” he has emphasised. He has further pointed out that the Sikhs would like to be governed by the Anand Marriage Act 1909 instead of Hindu Marriage Act. He has drawn the attention of the Deputy Prime Minister to the removal of sacred treasures and artefacts during the Operation Blue Star from the Golden Temple complex and demanded that the same be returned to the Sikhs. Mr Mann has further attracted the attention of Mr Advani to the incidents of ‘hate crime’ against the Sikhs in the USA and emphasised that the Indian Government must spend handsomely in the western democracies to advertise that the Sikhs are not Arabs, Iraqis and Talibans to prevent them from being identified as such and thus becoming targets of ‘hate crime’. He has also suggested opening of the Indo-Pak border at Wagah and Hussainiwala in Punjab for trade, commerce and pilgrimage and tourism with Pakistan. Mr Mann has demanded a nuclear power station for Punjab and funds for harnessing wing and solar energy. Mr Mann mentioned the names of Ranjit Singh Gill who is lodged in Tihar Jail and Balwinder Singh in Amritsar jail, who have spent more than the stipulated terms of 14 years in prison. Opposing the interference of the government in the religious affairs of the Sikhs, Mr Mann has demanded that the elections to the SGPC should be held immediately. |
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Pedestrian
pushed off GT Road sidewalks Ludhiana, August 25 When drilling work on the road, for laying the foundations of pillars for the elevated road began, a lot of water was used, causing the road to cave in at several places close to the pillars. Due to the deep craters on the road, heavy vehicles from the Jagraon bridge side are being denied entry on this stretch. A sign to this effect has been put up right on top of the Jagraon bridge. Even though heavy vehicles do not ply on the road, auto-rickshaws, two-wheelers, cycle-rickshaws and the cars etc from the Ghanta Ghar side ensure that the road is as busy as ever . With encroachments on both sides of the stretch in place, the road has become almost impossible to negotiate on foot. Despite the fact that the road was narrowed down considerably with the start of the elevated road project, shopkeepers and rehriwallahs, who had encroached upon the road, continue to occupy it despite claims by the municipal corporation to the contrary. The footpaths on both sides of the road are out of bounds for pedestrians. On the railway station side of the road, the footpath
adjoining the railway park is occupied by sellers of cheap, roadside food. They have not spared even the bus stop shelter erected a couple of years ago. Opposite these food stalls is the temporary market put up along the boundary wall of the railway colony. Shopkeepers of this market have made extensions to display readymade garments. Further towards the Ghanta Ghar side are a number of roadside stalls which display an array of sports shoes, electronic gadgets and so on. The stretch between the Ghanta Ghar and the Mata Rani chowk is also a congested one due to encroachments. Local mini-buses plying between the city and Phillaur occupy a good part of the road opposite the Minerva market. Autos and cycle-rickshaws also dot the roadside, making the road congested and risky. The problem has been aggravated with wide spaces between the erected pillars being put to use for parking purposes by car owners and scooterists apart from taxi and auto-drivers. The vehicles are parked in a haphazard manner, leaving little place for pedestrians. It is time the civic body pays some attention to repairing the damaged road and providing some relief to commuters on this stretch. |
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MC, PUDA colonies in state of neglect Ludhiana, August 25 The Urban Estate locality was developed by PUDA and later transferred to the Municipal Corporation for maintenance about two years ago, whereas other colonies, including Sector 32-A, are still under the administrative control of PUDA. As far as infrastructure is concerned, the residents of all these colonies are sailing in the same boat. The main roads, approach roads and streets are in bad shape with almost the entire stretch of these roads being without top surface and having huge potholes and depressions. In the absence of proper drainage or road gullies, stagnant water causes further damage to whatever is left in the name of roads and streets. Even after light rain, water accumulates all over and the slushy roads become difficult to traverse for commuters. According to Mr Kuldeep Singh Kreer, a resident of the area and general secretary of the New Millennium Club, the growth of weeds and congress grass on both sides of the roads and other vacant places all over the colony has added to the misery of the residents. The sanitation level is poor and the drains choked with weeds are never
cleared. The pools of stagnant water in many of the vacant plots and on the roadside have become breeding grounds for flies and mosquitoes, posing a health hazard to the residents. In the vicinity of the Sabzi Mandi, heaps of uncleared garbage and waste material remains littered around
houses. The entire area looks like a huge garbage dump, attracting swarms of mosquitoes and flies, besides stray animals which feed on the leftovers and scatter garbage on the streets. The pitiable condition of the parks is another eyesore, both for residents and visitors to these colonies. The parks in the colonies maintained by the MC and PUDA present a picture of total neglect, with weeds and shrubs growing where ornamental plants or shady trees ought to have been. The residents said encroachments on roads, lack of parking places, stadium and public utilities, besides erratic water supply, were other problems being faced by them which demanded immediate attention. The authorities need to arrange periodic meetings with residents associations and draw a plan to solve these problems. |
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Poor traffic
arrangements for mega show Ludhiana, August 25 Caught in the traffic jam the visitors to the Mega Show had to spend two to three hours in their vehicles as the people were caught in a vicious traffic jam. The mega show was put up in South City and had started on August 21. Yesterday was the last day and hundreds of keen visitors had gone to see the mega
show. The visitors were caught in the traffic jam on return from the mega show. It was surprising that no traffic personnel and security persons were in view to clear the traffic. It was due to the efforts of some enterprising persons that traffic eased after 2 hours. The approach to the venue south city, is lined on both sides with canals and deep gorges on the other side. Since there was no regulation as to which side of the canal the vehicles had to go and from which side they had to return, there was confusion confounded and a massive traffic jam. The motorists did not how to manoeuvre their cars on the narrow canal roads. The situation got worsened as a lot of heavy trucks were also plying on the
road. The arrangements were pretty shabby as the traffic was not regulated at all. The exhibition sight was also not well equipped with fire-fighting
devices. With the city getting overcrowded by the day, there are hardly any suitable venue for big exhibitions. The exhibitors either choose some resorts or far off places like south city. Sadly these places lack fire fighting amenities. Fire engines will take a long time to reach such venue on time in case of any
mishaps. The stalls put up during such exhibitions are made of inflammatory stuff and can go up in minutes in case of fire. No proper exits are provided in case of emergency. Who has forgotten the great tragedy that caused a great loss of life due to fire in Uphaar Cinema in Delhi and a marriage palace at Dabwali Mandi? Ms Rippy
Chatwal, who loves collecting things for her house said,”I persuaded my husband to go with me to the mega show as we have to traverse the road along the canal. When we reached the sight, it was greatly crowded. The arrangements were poor. Moreover the exhibition was disappointing. There was only one stall displaying furniture. Mostly the stalls displayed only complete kitchens and bathrooms. The paintings were selling in many stallsas if one requires only paintings for the homes. The building material and tiles displayed were not very interesting. Last year the products displayed had more variety. The worst was when we got caught in a traffic jam on our return. In the hot and humid weather we had to keep sitting in the car and got a headache. There was honking all around . By the time we reached home, we were definitely feverish. The Administration should oversee that the organisers make proper arrangements for the public. We definitely expected Business India to put up a better organised show. ” |
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Bhanwar’s ‘Canada Pheri’ released Ludhiana, August 25 Jathedar Tohra said Bhanwar had worked in Amritsar for most part of his career After his four-month visit to Canada he has not only illustrated the routine life of Punjabis who have immigrated there, but also narrated the history of almost all important cities and tourist spots of that country. Canada has virtually become the second home of Punjabis. Bhanwar has penned these write-up in the form of a news feature . It is like a guide for a visitor to Canada. Bhanwar in his brief speech said as a journalist he had observed every aspect of Indo-Canadian society. They attend to their duties very honestly and faithfully and abide by the laws of that country. Had they been so punctual, dedicated to their duties, law abiding , honest taxpayers, Punjab could have surpassed Canada, he added. The publisher of the travelogue, Mr Parduman Singh Bedi, presented a copy of his recent book “Sardar Sobha Singh Simriti Granth” to the SGPC president. |
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Minorities
panel to discuss acquittal issue Machhiwara, August 25 Mr Tarlochan Singh, who was the chief guest on the second day of the rural Olympics at Kot Gangu Rai said that the Commission had suggested a three-point formula to the Government of India, which included the hearing of communal riots by fast-track courts, declaration of evidence to be noted by magistrate instead of the police and watching of interests of petitioners by prosecuting agencies. He added that the government had agreed to the proposal of evidence to be noted by magistrate. He further said that the Commission had demanded to authorise its own investigating agency to ensure free and fair inquiries. |
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Mobile
missing from parcel Phillaur, August 25 She contacted her husband, who told her about sending the mobile in the parcel. Ms Bhatia approached the Postal Department, but could not got any satisfactory reply about the missing mobile. |
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Cycle march held Ludhiana, August 25 They said the police had registered a false case to save the guilty. The march later dispersed at Agwar Khawaja
Baju.
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One held with 25 kg of poppy husk Ludhiana, August 25 The Sahnewal police has registered a case against Radhe Sham, a migrant from Uttar Pradesh who was intercepted near Ramgarh village and 3 kg of opium seized from him. 2 pickpockets arrested:
Cash snatched:
Two booked:
Assault cases:
Another case was registered on the complaint of Mr Mohinder Pal of Gagandeep Colony against Sonu and Laddy, resident s of the same locality. The complainant alleged that the accused beat him up and also threatened him on Sunday. A similar case was registered on the complaint of Mr Sudhir Tanjea of New Kidwai Nagar Mohalla against Ramesh Kumar of Ram Nagar Mohalla in Vishwakarma Colony. Ms Kiran, wife of Mr Surinder Pal of Tilak Nagar Mohalla also complained against Pamma of the same locality on the same ground. Theft case:
Booked for scuffle:
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Trader
robbed of Rs 9,000 Mandi Ahmedgarh, August 25 Karnail Singh, a local sickel manufacturer, said he was returning in his car from Jhamat village, when a scooterist stopped him near Pohir Chowk. When he came out of the car, three other miscreants attacked him. One of them hit him on the face with a sharp-edged weapon. He became unconscious and the assailants decamped with Rs 9000. The victim was taken by a passerby to the rural health centre of Dayanand Medical Hospital at Pohir, from where he was sent to the Civil Hospital, Dehlon. Karnail Singh said he had to return to the Pohir hospital as there was no doctor to attend to him at the Civil Hospital. He said the matter had been reported to the Dehlon police.
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Suicide
bid by undertrial Ludhiana, August 25 |
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Maintenance-free car batteries launched Ludhiana, August 25 Identifying the high potential that exists in these markets, the company has launched aggressive marketing initiatives in this region. Addressing a press conference on the launch of the car battery in Ludhiana, Mr Pankaj Arora, Director, Base Corporation Ltd. said, "With a market share of over 35 per cent Panasonic is Japan's Number 1 car battery brand and all leading companies like Nissan, Toyota, Mazda, Honda and Isuzu use Panasonic batteries’’. Base Corporation is the first company to have set up exclusive battery stores by the name of ‘‘Base Terminal’’ in India. |
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City hand tools units
fear closure Ludhiana, August 25 The members said the steel dealers engaged in hoarding the billets were exploiting the market and the hand tool industry was not in a position to bear the increase in the price. Meanwhile, Engineering Export Promotion Council members have unanimously decided to go slow and work only for one shift till the stabilization of steel price and appreciation of the Indian rupee against the US dollar. They have also decided to support the manufacturers by not pressing them to supply. |
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