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Woman who provided car arrested Chandigarh, February 1 The person who drove the car has also been identified and the car that carried the escapees recovered on information provided by Baljit Kaur, who was arrested late last night. The police has procured the production warrant of Baljit Kaur’s TADA detainee husband, Lakhwinder Singh, lodged in the Burail jail, and obtained his custody till February 6. Addressing a press conference along with the entire team investigating the jail-break case, DSP S.C. Sagar and S.C. Abrol informed Baljit Kaur and the mystery youth had accompanied Hawara and others in a Maruti car (PIQ 927). They, however, refused to say how many persons were in the car when the jail inmates escaped. The police today recovered brick-tied iron chains used by Narain Singh Chaura to disrupt electricity between 8.58 and 9.35 pm on January 21, when the inmates are believed to have escaped from the jail. The police is verifying if Baljit Kaur had informed the car owner to what use she was putting the car to. Baljit Kaur, a resident of Meer Maran village under Sirhind police station of Fatehgarh Sahib, was arrested from an area near Chandigarh, which the police did not specify. The woman allegedly worked as a go-between Narain Singh Chaura and Hawara through a mobile phone which she was carrying at the wedding of the niece of a slain militant Manochahal on January 18. Baljit Kaur (33) and her husband Lakhwinder Singh were lodged in the Burail jail after being arrested under TADA for carrying an AK 47 rifle. Baljit Kaur was released and when Lakhwinder came on parole he married her. They have two children studying in Fatehgarh Sahib under the non-residential project of Guru Asra Trust, Mohali. Sources said Baljit Kaur had lived at the trust with her children from March, 2003, to May, 2003, before she shifted to Fatehgarh Sahib to work in a gurdwara run by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). Baljit Kaur has
With the arrest of the woman and her husband, 15 persons have been nabbed in the jail-break conspiracy. The police said an unidentified couple who had met Hawara had also been identified. Meanwhile, arrested Jail Superintendent D.S. Rana, Deputy Superintendents D.S. Sandhu, Assistant Superintendent P.S. Rana and others were further remanded to police custody till February 3. |
Jail
staff dug tunnel? Chandigarh, February 1 Sources said investigations were now
focused on the role of certain jail employees in the carrying out of digging work. What has further raised the
suspicion of the investigators is that the cardboard box of the television set in the barrack of the terrorists had been used to cover the exit of the tunnel. It was not possible to take the carboard through the tunnel to cover the exit. In deviation from earlier reports that the inner walls of the entire tunnel had been plastered with some substance to make the structure stable, sources said close to 20 feet of the tunnel towards the exit end was not plastered. This means the last few days meant furious digging and there was no time for the tedious plastering. This also indicates the work of digging the tunnel had been speeded up in the last few days. The fact is corroborated by the statement of jail staff that they had heard scratching noise few days before the jailbreak. Sources said teams that had collected samples believed that the three crushed a portion of the earth to remove the solid particles and mixed it with water. The paste was then applied to the walls. The theory of the use of an electrically operated machine to dig the tunnel has been corroborated with the presence of an extension box from the barrack of the terrorists. Some wire has also been recovered.
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Naidu
harps on NDA achievements Sidelights
Chandigarh, February 1 Speaking on the occasion Mr Naidu said the BJP had made remarkable progress in the past five years. “The Opposition is questioning our slogan of “feel good” because they have nothing to feel good at the moment. Mrs Sonia Gandhi, President of the Congress, meets political leaders from opposite camps but several of her senior party leaders from her own party return without getting an audience with her”, he said. Now everything was available on demand. The country has surplus foodgrains. What else would feel good mean?”, he added. Mr Naidu said the results of the elections in five states held recently indicated of what one could expect in the forthcoming elections. In Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan the BJP had achieved clear majority. He said the BJP had won the semifinals and the results of the finals were likely to be same. Mr Naidu said the NDA government had shown an inclination of involving people for bringing peace. This was evident in the cases of Kashmir and Nagaland. There had been positive developments. The lines of discussion had opened and more positive results were expected, he said. Mr Naidu highlighted the growing foreign exchange reserves, lower interest rates of loans to farmers and strict anti-defection laws. He said, “We will contest the elections on the work that we have done for the masses.” He said there was no truth in rumours that the BJP was opposed to minorities. Earlier, sarpanches of the newly elected local gram panchayats garlanded Mr Naidu. These included Mr Sadhu Singh, Mr Mam Chand Rana and sarpanches from Raipur Khurd, Kaimbwala and Dadu Majra villages. Mr Yash Pal Mahajan, local president, and Mr Satya Pal Jain, former MP, also spoke on the occasion.
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Cong confused on leadership: Naidu Alliance with INLD BJP President Venkaiah Naidu today said an electoral alliance with the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) for the Lok Sabha elections was still being worked upon. He was talking to mediapersons after a meeting of the Regional Core Group in Chandigarh. Mr Naidu confirmed the BJP alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal in Punjab. Mr Naidu's comment comes against the backdrop that senior leaders of the BJP from Haryana, including Mr Krishan Pal Gujjar and Mr Ram Bilas Sharma, are not in favour of any alliance with the INLD. He also had separate closed-door meetings with the party leadership from Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh. Chandigarh, February 1 Congress President Sonia Gandhi was not acceptable to a significant section of dissidents in her own party, he said. Her party first decided to go in for the elections on its own, but later decided that a alliances were possible. "We cannot think of any person of foreign origin in control of the country," he added. Congress leaders were busy meeting their political rivals for alliances. "Things have come to such a pass that the Congress, which ruled the country for 50 years, is now itself approaching various quarters with a bowed head. This clearly indicates that the party has lost the position it commanded in the arena of power," he said. Most of the political parties, including the Congress, the Communist Party and the Janata Dal, had split into a number of factions. "The As, Bs, Cs and Ds attached to their party names are unending. We are a party with absolute clarity on our agenda," he said. Mr Naidu said for the first time in the history of politics in this country, a party (BJP) was contesting the elections on the basis of its performance. This was in contrast to the usual tirade of charges non-performance and the citing of anti-incumbency factor as a reason for loss in the elections, he added. The roads had improved, the number of trains increased, the rupee gained its value against foreign currencies and the country had surplus foodgrains, Mr Naidu emphasised. "This is a perfect setting for the 'Feel good' slogan and a prelude to a 'feel great' expectation that the BJP plans," he said. The foreign exchange reserves had increased and India was giving loan to 13 countries. "The day is not far when India will lend to 130 countries, if the present regime continued," he said. Mr Naidu informed the BJP office-bearers about the decisions regarding the election campaign taken at a meeting of the national executive recently in Hyderabad. The slogan was: "Reach every village, walk every street, knock every door and talk to everyone". Atal Sandesh Yatra was planned from January 23 till February 21. On February 6, all block, district and mandal presidents would assemble in Delhi on February 6, he said. The BJP had constituted a committee under Mr Arun Jaitley, the Bharat Bhavishya Darshan, which would interact with students, teachers, traders, ex-servicemen, bureaucrats and several other segments of society to understand what people actually wanted, he said. Talking to mediapersons later, he said the Ayodhya issue was not even remotely related to the election manifesto.
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BJP committee to mobilise resources Chandigarh, February 1 On the publicity committee are Mr Pramod Mahajan, Mr Arun Jaitley, Mr M.A. Naqvi, Mr Ravishankar Prasad, Mr Balbir Punj, Mr Dinanath Mishra, Mr Prakash Jawadekar, Mr Seshadrichary and Mr Prabhat Jha. The team in charge of media relations has Mr Pramod Mahajan, Mr Arun jaitley, Ms Sushma Swaraj, Mr M.A. Naqvi and Mr Prakash Jawadekar. Mr Naqvi, Mr Piyush Goyal, Mr Sanjay Bhalla and Mr Arun Singh will look after the tours and travels. The election control room will be handled by Mr Bal Apte, Mr Ram Kripal Sinha, Mr Ashwini Kumar and Mr Vinay
Sahasrabudhe.
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Verma for military training to all Chandigarh, February 1 Speaking at a function at Panjab University here after honouring NCC cadets of Punjab and Chandigarh who had participated in the Republic Day parade in Delhi, Justice Verma said the NCC was the only organisation that not only imparted military training but also equipped students to undertake activities in the service of humanity. Congratulating the cadets of Punjab for coming out with flying colours by winning the maximum number of medals, Justice Verma said Punjab and Chandigarh were proud of their achievements. Emphasising the need for channelising the energy of the youth in a constructive manner, Justice Verma said they were a vital part of every society. "Their energies, if utilised positively, could help the nation scale virgin heights of progress," he said. The Governor said it was commendable that during peacetime they were contributing substantially to social services like blood and eye donation, cleanliness, tree plantation, adult education, AIDS awareness camps and by campaigning against the dowry system. Justice Verma said the NCC was an important wing of education and the government should ensure that the organisation did not suffer on account of financial constraints. Earlier, Justice Verma honoured the NCC cadets by presenting them a memento. The cadets honoured included Manpreet Singh (Amritsar), Parminder Singh (Pathankot), Tejinder Singh (Pathankot), Tejpal Singh (Amritsar), Harpreet Singh (Gurdaspur), Azad Singh, Gurdeep Singh (Pathankot), Gourav (Gurdaspur), Gurpreet Singh (Amritsar), Ramakant Sharma (Pathankot), Kanwal Dass (Amritsar), Harpreet Singh (Amritsar), Rahul Bhalla (Amritsar), Dhanraj Thanker (Amritsar), Arundeep Randev (Amritsar), Sahil Sharma (Amritsar), Gurmeet Singh (Amritsar), Sumit Sharma (Jalandhar), Arpan Kumar (Ferozepore), Sudeepa Singh (Amritsar), Nargis Bamra (Phagwara), Divya Sharma (Amritsar), Neeru Salaria (Gurdaspur), Amandeep Sharma (Pathankot), Bhupinder Singh (Amritsar), Ravinder Kumar (Gurdaspur), Hiten Rana (Jalandhar), Aashish Thakur (Jalandhar), Harjinder Singh (Jalandhar), Sanjeev Kumar (Hoshiarpur), Jagpreet Singh (Jalandhar), Amandeep Kataria, Divya Sharma (Jalandhar), Paramjit Kaur (Hoshiarpur). Surinder Kumar (Kapurthala), Princepal Singh (Jalandhar), Harpreet Singh (Patiala), Malwinder Singh (Patiala), Gurwinder Singh (Patiala), Dheraj Pal Singh (Sangrur), Rituraj Singh (Nabha), Ravinder Kaur (Patiala), Charanjit Kaur (Patiala), Chamkaur Singh (Sangrur), Navroop Virk (Patiala), Paramjeet Walia (Ludhiana), Sunny Bhardwaj (Doraha), Sanjeev Rai (Ludhiana), Akash Kumar (Ludhiana), Lovepreet Singh (Ludhiana), Maneetpal Kaur (Ferozepore), Jyto Dagar (Ferozepore), Davinder Toor (Ludhiana), Pawandeep Kaur (Muktsar), Aastha Garg (Ludhiana), Jasmine Kaur (Ludhiana), Vibhuti Jain (Ludhiana),Gagandeep Maan (Ludhiana), Jatinderjeet Singh (Ludhiana), Dalpreet Singh (Ludhiana), Nitin Chand (Ludhiana), Amanpreet Kaur Gill (Ludhiana), Vikas Mehta (Ludhiana), Amrit Pal singh (Batala), Balbir singh (Gurdaspur), Ashandeep Singh (Batala), Rohit Mangla (Chandigarh), Jagdeep Singh (Ferozepore) Lakhwinder Singh, Visavjot Singh (Ajnala), Vikram Singh Dhaliwal, Jagdeep Singh (Kapurthala), Attinder pal Singh (Tarn Taran), Manpreet Singh (Shahkot), Amrit Pal Singh (Amritsar), Sunil Verma (Tanda), Sunny Bedi (Gurdaspur), Manmohan Singh (Gurdaspur). Gurajpal Singh (Amritsar), Randeep Singh (Gurdaspur), Gagandeep Sigh (Ajnala), Minki Singh (Ludhiana), Vikramjit Singh (Gurdaspur), Gagdeep Singh (Gurdaspur), Amandeep Singh (Tarn Taran), Manpreet Singh (Moga), Jaswant Singh (Batala), Gagandeep Singh (Fatehgarh), Gurjinder Singh (Gurdaspur), Bikramjit Singh, Harmaneet Singh (Amritsar), Jagbeet Singh (Gurdaspur), Atinder Pal Singh (Gurdaspur), Sartaj Singh Gill (Patti), Gurminder Singh (Gurdaspur), Amit Kumar (Kapurthala), Hira Singh Moga, R. Raja Kumaran (Gurdaspur). The cadets from Chandigarh honoured on the occasion included Sukhmeet Singh, Karam Chaudhary, Dharamvir Singh, Oscar Iqbal Singh, Mukesh Sharma, Longiam Cha Ravi, Rajbir, Devinder Singh Rana, Inderpal Singh Gill, Amandeep Singh and Tarun Kumar. |
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2 fake notes found in wad Chandigarh, February 1 The wad carries a seal of the bank stamped on January 23. Mr Singla said he was told that the wad had a fake note when he went to deposit the Mr Singla said he went to the grievances cell of the bank where another fake note was found. |
Despite court orders, cops yet to book principal Mohali, February 1 The Principal had allegedly managed to get five of his academy students ‘fictitious’ roll numbers to appear as private candidates in a PSEB examination. These students appeared in the examination but did not receive their results as it was discovered by the board that five other students had also appeared in the said examination under the same roll number from a Centre in Faridkot, whose results were declared. Following the discovery, the board had written to the SSP, Ropar, recommending the registration of a case against the Principal. ‘‘But no action was taken. The request was sent to the SHO concerned who came to the Board to examine the details, but a case was still not registered,’’said Mr Mahinder Bir Singh, Secretary, PSEB. Acting on a petition filed by the five students, a Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today directed the PSEB to get an FIR registered against the Principal. ‘‘We have asked for the copy of the orders from the court and the moment it is received, we will instruct the police to book the principal, Balraj Singh. He runs an academy called Shaheed Bhagat Singh Kanya College in Kheri Naud Singh Village in Fatehgarh Sahib,’’ said Mr Mahinder Bir Singh, pointing out that the police should have booked the principal on their earlier request.
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Warm adieu to General Mehta Chandigarh, February 1 General Mehta, who demitted office after 41 years of distinguished service, was bid a warm adieu send-off by a large number of officers and jawans as they pulled his vehicle with ropes from the Command House in Chandi Mandir Cantonment. It sure was an emotional moment for the General. Among those who saw off the General and his wife, Ms Madhu Mehta, were Lt-Gen P.K Grover, Chief of Staff, Western Command; Maj-Gen O.P Nandrajog, Maj-Gen K.S Rao and senior officers and ladies of the military station. The jawans were lined up on both sides of the road leading to the Tank TCP to bid adieu to their General. The General took an official flight to Delhi by an Indian Air Force plane later in the day. |
Mohali Diary Mohali, February 1 Workshop:
Prize distribution:
Health camp:
R-Day celebrations:
Members of the local branch of the Bharat Vikas Parishad conducted a flag hoisting ceremony at the Sanatan Dharam Mandir Phase IV here on the Republic Day. Mr S.R. Choudhry, patron member of the parishad, hoisted the flag and addressed the gathering. He exhorted the youth to participate in the parishad’s activities. Mr Rajeshwar Sharma, president of the parishad, distributed free winter uniforms and shoes to poor students. Students and staff of Little Blossoms School, Kharar, celebrated the Republic Day at the school. The function started with tiny tots singing patriotic songs followed by dances, skits, gidha and bhangra. A speech was delivered by Mr Harkanwal Singh on the history of the day. Speaking on the occasion, the Principal, Ms Narinder Bedi, appreciated the efforts of the students and teachers for presenting the programme. Annual
day function:
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Community centre sought Panchkula, February 1 Meanwhile the following were unanimously re-elected office-bearers of the association: president — Mr Shiv Kumar Sharma; general secretary — Mr T.R. Tuli; senior vice-president — Mr Gian Chand Kansal; vice-president — Mr Naresh Aggarwal; secretary — Mr V.P. Sood; and treasurer — Mr RA Bansal. |
Missing names on voters list dismay residents Zirakpur, February 1 The members were disappointed over the notice issued by the Election Commission, asking the residents to get their photo identity cards made immediately. They were also shocked to find names of almost 30 per cent residents missing in the voters list. Interestingly, the list did not even carry the name of municipal councillors from wards nos 13 and 15, said Mr Praveen Sharma, press secretary of the society. The members of the society have demanded that the voters list be prepared again.
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Panthers sent to Kanpur zoo Chhat Bir (Patiala), February 1 According to Mr Kuldeep Kumar, Zoo Director, the male and female panther sent to Kanpur are aged four and three while the crane is two. The zoo would also get a “chausinga” and “chinkara” besides five pairs of “khalij” pheasants next week. These animals would be acquired from the Junagarh zoo in Gujarat in exchange for two pairs of Royal Bengal Tigers.
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Man held for molestation bid, murder Chandigarh, February 1 The boy identified the body and recollected that the girl had collected wood with him, where Das was also present, on the evening of January 29. He had returned home, while the girl had stayed back. Raja Ram told the police that another friend of his, 12-year-old Pintu, was with him when they left for home and Das had helped them pick their pile of wood up. Pintu then accompanied the police to the house of Das who confessed to having committed the crime. Das told reporters that on seeing the girl alone he attempted to molest her and when she started abusing him he got enraged and gagged her to avoid being noticed by passersby. The rickshaw-puller, hailing from Katihar in Bihar, said he then pushed the girl down a slope when he heard some persons coming towards him. He then went and check out on the girl. He found her gasping for air. Fearing being caught, he pushed the girl into a nearby stream, where she fell headfirst and died.
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Bank issues notices to 88 Chandigarh, February 1 The spokesman said the bank had issued notices under the Securitization and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest (second) Act, 2002, to 88 borrowers in Chandigarh region for one-time settlement of old and chronic non-performing assets (NPAs) cases. |
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