Robbers strike 2 villages, 10 hurt
Our Correspondent

Kharar, February 20
As many as 10 persons were injured when they were attacked by unidentified persons at two places near Landran and Swara villages, near here, in the wee hours today.

The assailants, armed with thick wooden planks, first went to a farmhouse near Thunder Zone falling in Swara village and later targeted a poultry farm near Landran village.

It is learnt that at least 12 persons went to a farmhouse owned by Mr M.S. Gill, a retired judge, at 1.15 am. In a statement to the police, Mr Jaspreet Singh, grandson of Mr Gill, said he was about to go to sleep when he heard footsteps on the rooftop.

He went out and saw two persons near the house. Soon after, other assailants hiding in a guava orchard nearby, joined them and attacked the family members, seriously injuring them. The injured were taken to the GMCH, Sector 32, Chandigarh, by the police. Ravinder Kaur, daughter of Mr Gill, who was critically injured, was referred to the PGI, Chandigarh.

Among the injured are Mr Gill, his son, Mr Mohinder Singh, his wife Gurpreet Kaur and two grandsons, Vaneet and Jaspreet. It is learnt that a chowkidar of a nearby house, Karnail Singh, was also injured.

As most members of Mr Gill's family were in the hospital, nobody could tell the police what had been looted by the assailants.

In another incident, three members of a family living at a poultry farm near Landran village, were injured by unidentified persons around 2.15 am. Two of them sustained head injuries and are undergoing treatment at the Civil Hospital, Kharar.

Mr Nagender Joshi, who works as a supervisor at the poultry farm, said the attackers were wearing jackets and shorts. Their faces were concealed. They spoke Hindi.

Mr Pardeep Joshi, son of Mr Nagender Joshi, said he was doing graduation at a college in Chandigarh and was working as a chowkidar at the poultry farm to earn money for his education. He said while he was on duty, he saw 14 to 15 persons with wooden planks coming near the house. He tried to confront them, but was soon overpowered and beaten up. His parents, who were sleeping inside the house rushed out after hearing his shrieks. They were also injured.

However, his brother and sister who were sleeping in another room were not harmed. All three were then locked up in the room where other family members were sleeping.

He said Mr Ajaib Singh, who was also working as a chowkidar at the poultry farm, was manhandled by the assailants and locked in another room. He, however, jumped out of the window and opened the door where the family members of Mr Joshi were locked in. Pardeep said the assailants searched the cupboards and took away Rs 2,500 in cash and gold jewellery worth about Rs 10,000.

It is learnt that the assailants then went to another poultry farm and as occupants of the house there did not open the doors, they left.

The SSP, Ropar, Mr S.P. Singh, said the assailants were probably from Rajasthan.

There was a group of more than 70 persons indulging in similar crimes earlier. They had been arrested by the police. It was likely some members of the gang were still around.

The police has registered a case under Sections 458, 459 and 397 of the IPC.

Meanwhile, the Mohali police carried out raids in various slum colonies around the town in search of the assailants.

Verma opens Festival of Gardens
Crowds face parking blues
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 20
The Governor of Punjab and Administrator, UT, Chandigarh, Justice O.P. Verma (Retd.) today inaugurated the 32nd Festival of Gardens at Zakir Rose Garden.

The festival was as colourful and vibrant as it always is. Veiled flowers made the venue look like paradise. Crowds had first to beat the parking blues before entry into the venue.

The festival was inaugurated by Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Justice O.P. Verma (Retd), who spared time to interact with participants.

The events organised were flower competition, stalls displays, band competition and folk dance competitions. The venuer resonated with the sound of music- Punjabi beats, Assamese, Gujarati or Rajasthani rhythms.

Students of various government schools presented a cultural show. The best presentation came from folk dancers of Orissa. The cultural performance by students of Ajit Karam Singh International Public School, Chandigarh, was also appreciated.

The Governor paid special attention to bands playing in the garden. Various organisations participated in this favourite contest. He also took a round of the garden which displayed several varieties of flowers and photographs by professional and amateur photographers.

Later, Justice Verma inaugurated the Garden of Shrubs at Sector 46. The garden has been developed by the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh. Later in the day, the Governor of Himachal Pradesh along with the Chief Justice of the Kolkata High Court, visited the Festival of Gardens and appreciated the cultural programmes presented by various artists.

Other officers present during the inaugural ceremony were the Home Secretary, the Finance Secretary, the Chief Engineer and the Chairman, Chandigarh Housing Board.

The result of the folk dance competition held today on the inaugural day of the Festival of Gardens at Rose Garden, Sector 16, are as follows:-

SCHOOL CATEGORY:

1. Govt. High School, Srangpur

2. Anchal International School, Sector 35.

3. Govt. Model High School, Sector 39

SOLO DANCE:

1. Baby Mohit

2. Master Gobind

3. Baby Chandani

CONSOLATION PRIZE Pragati Trikha

FLOWER COMPETITION

Class - A (OPEN TO ALL EXHIBITORS)

Arrangement with roses First- Rashmeet Sahni; MCM DAV College, Sec 36; Second:- Krishna Sangar, H. No. 2159, Sector 27-C, CHD. Arrangement with Dry flowers

First:- Rupinder Kaur; # 88, Ph-5, Mohali; Second:- Divyanjali, MCM DAV College.

Arrangement with fresh foliage First:- Sadhna Sangarh, # 2159 Sec 27-C; Second:- S. No. 45.

Arrangement of flowers on the theme “ADVENT OF SPRING”

First:- Divyanjali, MCM DAV College; Second:- Sonia Bansal, MCM DAV College.

Making of garlands

First:- Anjali Khurana; # 261 Sec 7-A, and Second:- Bininder, MCM DAV College, and Simran, MCM DAV College.

Making of rangoli (with flowers)

First:- Bindu; # 509/C, Sec 35-A, Second:- Satnatri Singla, # 1369, Sec 21, Pkl.

Making of rangoli (with rangoli powder)

First:- HAV-Saji V.S. Nair, # 323, AD Regt, Chandimandir; Second:- Alka Kansal, # 1371, Ph-11, Mohali.

OPEN TO COLLEGE STUDENT

Arrangement with rose only

First:- Parul Dutta,MCM DAV College, Second:- Vandana Gupta, Home Science College, Sec 10.

Arrangement with flowers other than roses

First:- Vandana Gupta, Home Science College, Sec 10, Second:- Mini Pun, MCM DAV College.

Arrangement with dry flower

First:- Rashmeet Sahni; MCM DAV College, Second:- Bharat, Department of Laws, PU.

Arrangement with fresh foliage

First:- Abjeet Johar, MCM DAV College, Second;- Sonia Bansal, MCM DAV College, and Vandana Gupta, Home Science College, Sec 10.

Making of rangoli (with flowers)

First:- Poonam Kapur, # 335, Sec 9-D, and Second:- Sanjuhi Bhagi, # 1204, Sec 23-B.

Making of rangoli (with rangoli powder)

First:- Isharpal Kaur, # 91, Sec 18-A, Second:- Rashmeet Sahni, MCM DAV College.

OPEN TO SCHOOL CHILDREN

Arrangement with roses only

First:- Aakriti, Shivalik Public School, Mohali, and Second:- Jevanjot, Shivalik Public School, Mohali & Jashan, Shivalik Public School, Mohali.

Arrangement with flowers other than roses First:

Harshleen,# 1257, Sec 15-B, and Second:- Pranav Sehgal, # 653, Sec 16-D, & Surabhi Sehgal, # 653, Sec 16-D.

OPEN TO GARDENERS

Arrangement with flowers

First:- Suresh Chand, Khuda Ali Sher, U.T. , and Second:- Ram Saran Mali, #349, Sec 40, CHD & Shiv Prashad Mourya, C/o. St. Xaviers.H.School, S/20, Pkl.

Making of bouqus:

First:- Shiv Prashad Mourya, C/o. St. Xaviers.H. School, Pkl, Second:- Ram Saran Mali, #349, Sec 40.

Making of gajras and garlands

First:- Prabhu, # 1096, Sec39-B, Second:- Prabhu, # 1096, Sec39-B, Mr. Ram Ashrey Maurya & Mr. Sajjan Maurya, St.Xaviers.Sr.Sec. School, Sec 44.

Class-B

OPEN TO AMATEURS ONLY

Antirrhinum

First:- Balbir Singh,#1003, Sec 44-B, and Second:- Principal S.Marriya, D.A.V.College, Sec 10.

Aster Principal S.Marriya, D.A.V.College, Sec 10 and T.L.Eashwar, Village Toansa, Distt. Nawan Shahar.

Stock

First:- Sukhi Rana, #53, Sec 4, Second:- S.S.Gill, Ram Shankar Yadav, #2417, Ph-10, Mohali.

Carnation

First:- HarGobind Verma, # 4059, Sec 56, and Second:- Balbit Singh, # 1003, Sec 44-B & Ram Sankar, #1003, Sec 44-B.

Candytuft

First:- Prabhu, # 1096, Sec39-B, Second:- Principal S.Marriya, D.A.V.College, Sec 10, CHD.

Dahlia

First:- Principal S.Marriya, D.A.V.College, Sec 10, Second:- Dr. Arunanshu B., # 8-H-7, Sec 12, PGI.

Gladiolus FIRST:- Hira Lal Verma, Ambala city, Second:- Principal S. Marriya, D.A.V.College, Sec 10, & Ram Singh, # 3101, Sec 55, CHD.

Gerbera

First:- Samarjit Singh, #407, Rajiv Colony, Sec 38 West, Second:- Dr. Arunanshu B., # 8-H-7, Sec 12, PGI, & S.S.Gill, Ram Shankar Yadav, #2417, Ph-10, Mohali.

Lupin

First:- Jashwant Lal, #61, Ph-3, Mohali, and Second:- Principal S.Marriya, D.A.V.College, Sec 10.

Lashkar

S.S.Gill, Ram Shankar Yadav, #2417, Ph-10, Mohali.

Marigold

First:- Dr Arunanshu B., # 8-H-7, Sec 12, PGI, and Second:- Dr. Arunanshu B., # 8-H-7, Sec 12, PGI.

Pansy

First:- U.D. Kapre, Vill. Toansa, Distt. Nawan Shahar, and Second:- Ram Kirpal Mourya, # 2838, Sec 56, CHD.

Rose Hybrid Tea

First:- Chandrama Singh, # 128, Rajiv Colony, Sec 38-D, and Second:- U.D.Kapre Vill.Toansa, Distt. Nawan Shahar.

Rose Floribunda

S.S.Gill, Ram Shankar Yadav, 2417, Ph-10, Mohali.

Rose Hybrid Tea in three stages unopen bud, semi-open and open

First:- Jashwant Lal #61, Ph-3, Mohali, Second:- Jashwant Lal, #61, Ph-3, Mohali.

Rose Hybrid Tea Collection of three named varieties

Jashwant Lal, # 61, Ph-3, Mohali.

Sweet Peas

First:- Suresh Chand, Khuda Ali Sher, U.T., Second:- Dr. Arunanshu B., # 8-H-7, Sec 12, PGI.

Any other flower

First:- Paramjeet Singh, # 127, Sec 9-B, Second:- Ms. Payal Kang Singh, # 127, Sec 9-B, & Dr. Arunanshu B., # 8-H-7, Sec 12, PGI.

RESULT FOR CLASS C

OPEN TO GOVT. SEMI GOVT. BODIES INSTITUTION AND PRIVATE NURSERIES

Antirrhinum

First:- Director, P.G.I., Second:- C.H.B.

Aster

First:- I.M.T, Sector 39-A, Second:- Deltrone Ltd., #132, Indl.Area, Ph-1.

Stock

First:- CITCO, Sec 17, Second:- C.H.B., & Regional Director, R.I.C.M.

Carnation

First:- C.H.B., Second:- Director, P.G.I. & Pb.S.W.H.C., # SCO 74-75, Sec 17-B.

Candytuft

First:- Director, P.G.I; Second:- Director, P.G.I Dahlia

First:- Regional Director, R.I.C.M., Second:- Regional Director, R.I.C.M., & C.I.T.C.O., Sec 17.

Gladiolus

fIRST:- C.H.B., Second:- C.IT.C.O., Sec 17.

Gerbera

FIRST:- Regional Director, R.I.C.M., & Pb.S.W.H.C., # SCO 74-75, Sec 17-B, Second:- C.R.R.I.D, # Plot No.2A, Sec 9-A & Pb.S.W.H.C., # SCO 74-75, Sec 17-B.

Lupin

First:- Deltrone Ltd., #132, Indl.Area, Ph-1, Second:- Director, P.G.I

Larkspur

First:-

Director, P.G.I, Second:- C.H.B.

Marigold First:- Director, P.G.I, Second:- Director, P.G.I

Pansy

FIRST:- C..IT.C.O, Sec 17,Second:- Pb.S.W.H.C., # SCO 74-75, Sec 17-B & Deltrone Ltd., #132, Indl.Area, Ph-1, CHD.

Rose Hybrid Tea

First:- Director, P.G.I, Second:- C.R.R.I.D, # Plot No.2A, Sec 9-A.

Rose Floribunda

First:- Ranbaxy Lab. Ltd, Distt, Nawan Shahar, Second:- Director, P.G.I

Rose Hybrid Tea in three stages unopen bud, semi-open and open

First:- Chief Administrator, HUDA, Second:- Pb. S.W.H.C., # SCO 74-75, Sec 17-B.

Rose Hybrid Tea Collection of three named varieties

First:- S.E.Hort., HUDA, PKL, Second:- Director, P.G.I

Sweet Peas

First:- Vatika Nursery, # Kirshan Garh, M.Majra, Second:- Director, P.G.I.

Any other flower

First:- C.H.B. & C.I.T.C.O, Sec 17, Second:- Director, P.G.I & Pb.S.W.H.C., # SCO 74-75, Sec 17-B.

Vegetable and fruit carving

Gurmeet Kaur w/o Harjinder Singh, # 37, Ph-4, Mohali.

Jazzy B keeps fans in a tizzy
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, February 20
If colours dominated the inaugural session of the 32nd Rose Festival today, then it was the rhythm that reigned supreme at the Leisure Valley tonight, which came as a part of the festival. With Jazzy B, the prince of Punjabi pop taking the stage on this opening night, music lovers could not have asked for more.

Known for his powerful stage performance, Jazzy B lived up to the expectations of his fans, singing all his popular numbers and gyrating to peppy tunes as he hopped on and off the stage to interact with the audience.

Jazzy B started the show with a sobre number, “Sachi Suchi Bani” from his religious album “Sikhi Khandio Tikhi”. The mood soon changed as the performer presented hit songs like his all-time favourite “mar Gaye, tera roop vehk”, “Naag”, “O Kedi” and other hit numbers from his latest album “Tera Roop”.

Jaswinder Singh Bains, popularly known as Jazzy B, has been credited with introducing a fresh new image to the world of traditional bhangra. Since the debut album, “Ghugian da Jorra” in 1993, Jazzy B has been delivering a number of hit albums including his latest “Tera Roop”.

Jazy B, who epitomises the new-look singers, is rooted to his culture which he tried to promote through his first devotional album “Sikhi Khandio Tikhi”.

“I am planning to do more devotional albums in the future, says the singer. At present he is working on a re-mix album which is about to hit the market soon.

Mother and son hit by car, killed
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 20
An allegedly inebriated car driver today hit a scooter head on, killing a primary schoolteacher and her 22-year-old son near Kaimbwala village.

Munish Sharma, who was scheduled to leave for Australia on March 3 for higher education, died on the spot while his mother, Brij Bala Sharma, a teacher with a government primary school in Banur, succumbed to injuries on way to PGI. They were declared “brought dead”.

They were residents of the Working Women Rural Welfare Society, Kansal.

It appears Munish noticed the car being driven rashly and went off the road, yet the car hit the scooter, breaking it into two and flinging the scooterists almost 20 feet away from the accident site.

The red-coloured Ford Escort (DL 2 C H 5349) was found abandoned near the Burail village barrier and impounded by the police.

No possibility of cobalt theft by terrorists: expert
A.S. Prashar
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 20
Prof B.D. Gupta, one of the top oncologists of the country, has discounted media speculation that cobalt-60, commonly used in India for the treatment of cancer patients in hospitals. could be stolen by terrorists to make a "dirty" nuke radiation bomb.

Dr Gupta who has spent a lifetime employing radioactive material as a tool for the treatment of cancer patients, points out that Cobalt-60 (Co-60) has been in use in India for nearly four decades now. "But I have never heard of any incident of theft of radioactive material from any hospital in the country," he says.

"Those who know how Co-60 is used for radiotherapy of cancer patients will know that the theft of this material from a medical institution is just not possible," said Dr Gupta in an interview here today. "Therefore, media speculation apparently sparked off by an eventuality visualised by Washington's Henri L. Stimson Centre in this regard is rather far fetched, if not entirely baseless", he said.

Dr Gupta who remained Professor and Head of the Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology at the PGI for nearly a quarter of a century pointed out that for use in a hospital, radiation source i.e. Co-60, was put in a "drawer" which in turn, was encased in a well-protected head weighing 3-4 tonnes. "It is not possible to access the radioactive source by breaking the container because radiation will instantly kill everyone in its vicinity. As regards the head, it is too heavy to be carried along with the radiation source", he said.

Radioactive cobalt is an artificial radioactive isotope and is produced in nuclear reactors. It emits Gamma rays of 1.3 million electronic volt (3 MeV) energy equivalent to almost 3 MeV of X-ray energy.

The Cobalt machine and radioactive radiation source is widely used in clinical practice of radiotherapy and there are almost 250 machines installed in the country which are regarded as a workhorse for treatment in India. Some of the machines are very sophisticated in that they can give precise radiotherapy and are versatile in their use since new technology is introduced in their planning and manufacturing. The great advantage of cobalt is that the unit is maintenance-free and requires a small budget for its continued use.

The only problem which continues to be a factor is that the cobalt source has to be changed every five to seven years since the cobalt source decays with its half life of five years. The disposal of radioactive source is also a procedure which is taken up by the Atomic Energy Commission.

In India, the first cobalt machine was installed in 1960 as a super voltage energy source for radiotherapy, in fact, to replace the 250 kv deep X-ray therapy machine by cobalt units. The major event in practice of radiotherapy for cancer patients was initiated under the Colombo Plan when 15 units were installed at various places in India during 1965-66. This ushered in a new era in the treatment of cancer by super voltage radiotherapy which could treat deep-seated tumours and also spare the high dose on the skin which was earlier a limiting factory with deep X-ray therapy treatment.

Shut the door on criminals, corrupt, says Dua
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 20
The Editor-in-Chief of the Tribune Group of Newspapers, Mr H.K. Dua, today called upon people to launch a movement to clean the system by shutting the door on the corrupt and criminals who had infiltrated the legislature.

Delivering a lecture on the “State of the Nation” organised by the Servants of the People Society in memory of Lala Achint Ram, Mr Dua said: “We are asking the lawbreakers , whose ranks have been infiltrated by the lawmaker, to provide a healthy political system.”

The change was required as the fruits of progress were being shared by only a section of the people.

“Still a large number of people have no reason to lead a good life. From getting a job to catching a train to standing in a long queue at an employment exchange to basic health facilities to getting potable drinking — the facilities were still to reach the common man”, said Mr Dua.

Recalling the objectives of the freedom movement, he said the leaders now were not bothered to share the fruits of progress with a large number of people. Unhappy with the class of leadership, he said the class was not bothered to serve the nation. Mentioning the Telgi stamp scam, he said criminals were getting into the legislature and the politician-criminal-bureaucrat nexus posed a threat to the nation. The figures of criminals making it to the assemblies might vary from state to state.

He held the politicians responsible for diverting the energy of the nation to irrelevant issues. Much of the energy was being wasted in getting over communal bitterness in the post-Babri Masjid demolition period. This could have been used in building a creative India, said the Editor-in-Chief.

“The ideals of freedom did not preach the destroying of places of worship. The lessons of the Partition did no preach dividing communities. The quality of democracy promised in the initial years of freedom was yet to be delivered”, said Mr Dua, adding that in the first 25 years of freedom, the country was moving on the right path. Then there was a halt.

He said the shift from sacrifice to working for personal motive was more visible in the second generation.

Referring to Lala Achint Ram, he said he was influenced by great leaders for whom national interest was above other things. He said Lala Achint Ram did not forget the social content of the freedom. He recalled his interaction with the late Vice-President of India, Mr Krishan Kant, who was a son of Lala Achint Ram.

Speaking on the occasion, Justice S.S. Kang , a former Governor of Kerala, said people had started believing that power and money could be earned through dubious methods. He said it was high time people took up cudgels against the corrupt.

Earlier, Mr Onkar Chand, Chairman of the Servants of the People Society, said the purpose of the lecture was to find out the truth.

Later, talking to The Tribune, Mrs Suman Krishan Kant, wife of the late Vice-President, who is the National President of the Mahila Dakshita Samiti, said a joint action committee had been formed to ensure that all parties cleared their stand on women’s rights in the next general election.

She said an awareness campaign had been launched to make the women realise the power of voting and play a decisive role in the elections. Every candidate, irrespective of the party, must declare his or her commitment to women’s causes.

“Every candidate would be asked to check the sale of drugs and liquor, ensure 33 per cent reservation in the legislature and the jobs and discourage family violence”, said Ms Kant, adding that the awareness campaign was a continuous programme to unite women.

COMMUNITY

POLL POT
Cong remarks on Hema invites flak
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 20
A former local MP, Mr Satya Pal Jain, today ridiculed the Congress for objecting to film star Hema Malini joining the BJP. The Congress, he said, was displaying its ignorance about the constitutional provision in this regard. The 10th schedule of the Constitution says that a nominated MP can join any political party within six months of the nomination. However, the Constitution did not permit Independent elected members to join a party and the Congress probably got confused on this, Mr Jain said.

Chandigarh seat

The local unit of the Janata Dal has shot off a letter to the party President and Union Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes, saying the Janata Dal, which is a constituent of the NDA, must stake a claim on the Chandigarh seat while making adjustments with the BJP. Mr Surinder Bhardwaj, president of the local unit of the party, claimed that the BJP had lost last time and a chance should be given to the Janata Dal.

Redefine cyber crime, says expert
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 20
Sessions on computer forensics and cyber crimes marked the concluding day of the conference on “e-security, Cyber Crime and Law”, being organised by the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Public Administration, here today. Fourteen presentations were made by experts on the occasion.

Speaking on network forensics, Mr Kuldeep Raina from TAS Integrators Limited, emphasised the need to study cyber crimes in totality and subsequently analyse and correlate the entire data to check online crime.

Discussing the procedure of cyber forensics in detail, Mr Sanjay Pandey from ISEC Services Limited highlighted various measures to secure vulnerable networks. He also emphasised the need to redefine cyber crime and make it a state subject. He also suggested that the scope and ambit of the Information Technology Act be widened and it be renamed the Electronic Use and Misuse Act.

Mr Mahesh Singh from Network Security Solutions made a presentation on the tools and methods used in computer forensics. Discussing three cases of cyber crimes reported in Chandigarh, Mr H.G.S. Dhaliwal, SP (Operations), Chandigarh, stressed the need for dedicated and trained police forces, which were conversant with computer hardware and software technology. He also suggested the enactment of common IT laws in all countries.

In his lecture on “Save the Country from Cyber Threats”, Prof Surya Narayan Panda from Shri Atmanand Jain College, Ambala, suggested that an anti-cyber campaign should be initiated under e-security volunteer teams. These teams, which could make people aware about cyber crimes, should be formed in schools, colleges, professional institutes and police organisations.

Delving upon the IT Act and other issues, Dr K.K. Bajaj, Director CERT-in, said the IT Act provided legal framework for digital signatures and electronic records for e-commerce and e-governance applications. He said under the Act, digital signatures were considered on a par with handwritten signatures and electronic records were on a par with paper records for the purpose of e-transactions.

In his talk, Mr Vakul Sharma, a cyber law consultant, said cyber laws were laws which required a dynamic set of rules and regulations. He was of the opinion that cyber laws required a dynamic approach as the information and communication technologies had resulted in “one wired world”. Cyber laws, he added, must be approached as a proactive piece of legislation.

IT Adviser to the Comptroller and Auditor-General, Dr K. Subramanian, discussed global identity issues, trends and techno-legal security aspects, while Dr K. Jaykumar from the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances said that it was necessary to centralise the security audit process for recording, examining and receiving any security relevant activities on the networked systems.

PSIEC men hold strike
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 20
The 24-hour enmass fast observed by Punjab Small Industries and Export Corporation ( PSIEC) employees in front of the Udyog Bhavan, Sector 17, here ended today.

The employees had been agitating against the recommendations of the Disinvestment Commission and demanding that they be allowed to function as an independent identity. A rally was also held on the occasion.

The president of the association, Mr Dalbir Singh, alleged that the government had started implementing these recommendations even without waiting for its formal approval. He charged the management of holding back due benefits of employees, including promotions against vacant posts, regularisation of service of daily-wage employees as per government notification.

Later, a memorandum was submitted to the Director, Department of Disinvestment, by the association.

Vendors block traffic
Our Correspondent

Panchkula, February 20
Following a crackdown on roadside rehriwalas and vendors, and pulling down of unauthorised structures in Industrial Area, Phase-I, a large number of vendors blocked traffic at Sector 7,8,16 and 17 roundabout this morning.

The police had to resort mild cane-charge to disperse protesters who blocked traffic on this busy road around 8.30 am.

The agitators assembled near Kalagram and later marched towards the roundabout. They blocked the road, causing traffic snarl and inconvenience to motorists.

The protesters alleged that policemen had been harassing roadside vendors for the past couple of months. They further alleged that they had been abused by policemen on certain occasions.

Meanwhile, continuing with its anti-encroachment drive, a team of HUDA, headed by Estate Officer, Mr Ashwani Kumar Sharma, today demolished 45 unauthorised structures in Industrial Area, Phase-I, 20 meat sheds from Sector 20 and removed a large number of pushcarts from different sectors throughout the day.

He said no unauthorised structures would be allowed in the city. Rehriwalas had been a nuisance on roads, which had caused a number of accidents in the past.

He added that encroachments from barandas of various markets would soon be removed.

CRIME

Car used by robbers found

Meanwhile, Mr S.K. Nayar, president of the Panchkula Residents Welfare Association, has criticised the police for its failure to make any headway in the case.

Police custody

Guddu, an accused in the Panchkula triple murder case, who was arrested by the police from a slum was today remanded in police custody till February 27. OC

Man held for abetting suicide
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 20
The Sector 36 police here today arrested a Sector 35 resident, Devi Dutt, for allegedly abetting his wife, Parbati, in attempting self-immolation on February 18.

Devi Dutt was arrested after his wife regained consciousness last night and recorded a statement alleging that her husband had been suspecting her fidelity and had forced her to attempt self-immolation. They were married a year ago.

Twentytwo-year-old Parbati was admitted to the PGI with 90 per cent burn injuries on Wednesday. Devi Dutt, an attendant in an old age home, took his wife to the hospital but she was not in a position to give a statement before the Subdivisional Magistrate on that day.

The police said, Parbati, allegedly set herself on fire after dousing herself with kerosene. She was "critical" till the filing of the report.

Parbati and her husband, Devi Dutt, have been living in Sector 35 C.

The woman had allegedly threatened to commit suicide in front of her husband who allegedly dared her carry out her threat.