L U D H I A N A   S T O R I E S



Accused NRI bride says her parents did not attend wedding
Mahesh Sharma

Mandi Ahmedgarh, September 10
If revelations made by Dr Parwinder Kaur, an NRI woman arrested by the local police for allegedly duping Punjabi youths on the pretext of fake marriages, are to be believed then a majority of the marriages registered with the authorities are allegedly based on fake testimonials. From arranging witnesses, the agents go to the extent of producing fake parents also, on some extra payment.

“How can I ask my parents to come to my rescue now when I did not call them at the time of marriage and subsequent registration at Ludhiana office? Tell Kuldeep to bring those persons who vouched as my parents at the time of Anand karaj and to the registering authorities,” argued Dr Parwinder Kaur when Mr Rachhpal Singh Hara, DSP of Malerkotla, inquired if her parents had been informed about her arrest.

Blaming the social system for her dark future Dr Parwinder disclosed that none from her parents’ side had either attended her marriage with Kuldeep Singh, solemnised at Raj Palace Cheema Shergarh on March 12, 2006 or at the Marriage Registration Office in Ludhiana for registration later. “When I asked Kuldeep Singh to wait for my parents, he told me that he would ask some persons to represent parents on the occasion of the anand karaj and registration,” said Parwinder. She alleged that she was not allowed to read the papers submitted at the time of the registration.

When she showed her inability to call any members of her family, the DSP directed Mr Darshan Singh, SHO Sadar, to arrange a lawyer to present her case. However, she maintained that did not want to get her case defended by an advocate.

Dr Parwinder Kaur, daughter of Gurdeep Singh Sandhu of Marwah Khurad in Yamunanagar district, and NRI mother of two daughters, was arrested by the local police in connection with a case registered under Sections 420, 494, 406 and 120 B for allegedly duping Kuldeep Singh of Manakheri village of Rs 12 lakh by marrying him dishonestly and deserting him later.

Kuldeep Singh, only brother of three sisters, had taken up insurance business to supplement his earning as agriculture, according to him, had ceased to be a remunerative profession. He had married Parwinder after being introduced by Bhupinder Singh of Dhulkot village and Baljinder Singh Kuku of Koom Kalan. “Before settlement of marriage Parwinder had told me that she had come alone and asked me to spend the required money on the ceremony on behalf of her parents and that she would return my money later. Besides spending Rs 3 lakh on celebration, clothes and jewellery, I paid her about Rs 7 lakh at various times,” Kuldeep had reported to the police.

Parwinder had stayed with Kuldeep for around two months and left on the pretext of visiting her relatives. Before going she convinced Kuldeep to buy a new Scorpio.

When Parwinder did not return for a long time, Kuldeep lodged a complaint with the local police and a party led by Darshan Singh swung into action. Parwinder was arrested a week ago when she was about to dupe Beant Singh, another youth of Momnabad, village near.

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Grewal alleges vendetta
Vimal Sumbly & Jupinderjit Singh
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 10
Former minister and senior Akali leader Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal has said the FIR registered against him on September 8 under the Prevention of Atrocities to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes by the Sadar police was politically motivated. He regretted that the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Commission had issued the orders without giving him any chance to submit his version.

Talking to The Tribune here yesterday, Mr Grewal pointed out that the case was not new and it had been investigated by the police and he had been found innocent. He said rather the complainant, Chamkaur Singh, had been booked for filing a false complaint. He claimed that the FIR was deliberately registered to tarnish his image on the eve of elections to the state Assembly.

Mr Grewal disclosed that Chamkaur Singh had alleged that on July 27, 2005 he was called by him (Mr Grewal) who was then the additional secretary of the SGPC-run Nankan Sahib Public School and abused. Incidentally, from the records of the school, Chamkaur Singh was found to be on leave that day.

Chamkaur Singh had initially given a complaint to the local police. It had reached the then Senior Superintendent of Police, Mr Narinderpal Singh. He had marked the inquiry to the then SP City II, Mr Kuldeep Singh. Mr Kuldeep Singh after the investigation had found the charges baseless and filed the complaint. He had recommended the registration of case for perjury against Chamkaur Singh.

Following this, Chamkaur Singh filed a complaint in the court of Judicial Magistrate, Ludhiana. The court in an order asked for the report from the police. It had ordered that the police will only submit its report and not investigate the matter. Mr Grewal had challenged the order in the Sessions Court. He pointed out that the matter was pending decision in the Sessions Court and there was no legal basis for registering the case at this stage, while arguing that the case was politically motivated.

Meanwhile, a delegation of the district unit of the Shiromani Akali Dal led by the Member of Parliament, Mr Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, met the Senior Superintendent of Police, Mr AS Rai, yesterday. The delegation asserted that Mr Grewal was being falsely implicated as he had already been acquitted of the charges by the police. Mr Gabria told the Tribune that the SSP assured them that there would not be any undue harassment to anyone. He quoted the SSP as saying that the case had been registered at the directions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Commission. 

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Youth goes missing in New Zealand
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 10
The dream of a family to see one of their members settle in a foreign land were shattered when they learned that their son had gone missing there. Balkrishan, a resident of Rampur, had paid travel agent Surinder Pal Singh of Phillaur a sum of Rs 4 lakh for sending his son Sandeep Kumar to New Zealand against the agreed amount of Rs 6 lakh.

Surinder took Sandeep along with him to New Zealand on November 30, 2005. The family talked to Sandeep on a couple of occasions, but his calls ceased to come after two months.

Not knowing the whereabouts of Sandeep, Balkrishan approached the police.

The matter was looked into by Sub-Inspector Bhupinder Singh of the Economic Offences Wing, following which the Payal police booked Surinder under Section 420 of the IPC.

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Man booked for rape

Ludhiana, September 10
The police has booked Banwari Lal of Harkrishan Nagar for alleged rape of a migrant woman.
The complainant, a domestic help known to the accused, was returning home on the Disposal road on September 6, when the accused who was standing in front of Malkit Singh’s house in street No. 9, asked her to come inside as his sister-in-law wanted help.

Banwari took her in the garage and raped her. He also threatened her with dire consequences if she disclosed the matter to anyone. TNS

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Ludhiana calling

The Do Moria bridge connecting the new city to the old one is unable to handle the traffic. With the volume of traffic increasing day by day, the bridge requires expansion in such a manner that the vehicles have four paths to pass through. This would go a long way in avoiding traffic jams at the place but no one seem to be thinking about it.

Fourth Estate impact

It took news reports for Municipal Corporation officials to learn that the water in the swimming pool of the corporation was unfit for any use. It was disheartening to note that the departmental procedures of learning about such issues and taking action there on has taken a beating not only in the corporation but also in all government departments in the district. Any problem would be known to all but action would be initiated more or less only when the problems are highlighted by the media.

No male bastion

Gone are the days when only males were spotted playing cards in the open. Now, even girls can be spotted playing cards. Sentinel caught a girl playing cards near the railway station the other day. Other girls are also seen playing cards there usually. It seems the slum education campaign of the government, claimed to be a success by the politicians, has not reached this corner of the city.

Politicians stir up

With the elections few months away, politicians have geared up for seeking attention. While the Congress MLA’s harp on development, opposite parties have started staging more protests that normal. Protests and rallies have also become main focus of those politicians who were desirous of seeking a ticket for the election or many who were sitting at the fringes till now. No day passes in the city when one or other protest has not taken place.

Hospital or clash site?

The Civil Hospital of the city seems to have become a favourite hunting ground for settling scores. It has become quite common for different groups to clash at the hospital. The groups first clash outside and then run to the hospital for medico-legal examination. At the site they again come face to face and often exchange blows. One of the main reasons for the clashes is the alleged exaggeration of injuries by one of the parties. But neither the police nor the hospital authorities have been able to do anything.

Traffic blues

Bollards have gone missing from the Ludhiana-Ferozepore road causing immense confusion for commuters, especially those passing through the city. The bollards were quite necessary for smooth traffic flow. There are many three roads intersection on the road. The bollards directed traffic on one end to move freely. But with the Municipal Corporation failing to put them back after they were damaged over the years, the free movement of the vehicles has been curtailed causing huge traffic jams and regular snarls.

Tailpiece

Sentinel spotted an auto rickshaw that had painted quite contradictory messages on the front and rear of the vehicle. It said on the front: “Hum do, hamare do, chotta pariwar, sukhi pariwar.” But on the rear it read: “Bittu, Rinku, Sonu, Tony, Minku te Pinku de daddy di gaddi!”

(Contributed by Jupinderjit Singh)

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Residents-shopkeepers row turns worse
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 10
The confrontation between the residents and shopkeepers in the posh area of Sarabha Nagar, Block-I over the use of a urinal by the latter has taken a serious turn, with the residents claiming that they would seek action against the shopkeepers for urinating along the park side.

The Municipal Corporation and the area councillor, Ms Amrita Varsha Rampal, found themselves sandwiched in the confrontation, with both the parties accusing them of helping the opposite one.

An emergent meeting of the residents held at Block-I park to discuss the unique way of protest against the demolition of a urinal by the shopkeepers, who had started urinating in the open decided to seek the intervention of the MC Commissioner, Mr Vikas Partap, for taking action against the shopkeepers and also for the misuse of the shopping complex by some car mechanics.

Though the residents and the majority of the shopkeepers are unanimous against the car mechanics, strong difference of opinion has taken place over the demolition of the urinal.

Mr S.S. Channa, representing the residents, said the shopkeepers had been given a place in the market where the urinal would be constructed. They claimed that the MC had also sanctioned Rs 25,000 for the work and the area councillor was part of the decision.

However, the shopkeepers have outrightly denied the claim, saying that they were not given any alternative.

“We understand the problem of the residents, but we also need a urinal. The administration had not taken us into confidence or provided us an alternative site before demolishing the urinal.” said Mr Ravinder Kumar Ahuja, a shopkeeper.

He said the MC should have first constructed a toilet for them as existed in the main Sarabha Nagar market, but instead they first demolished the existing urinal and left them with the problem.

The residents have also sought shifting of certain car mechanics from the place, claiming that the mechanics had started using all the space on the road and the market making it quite difficult for the residents living near the market to venture out, especially for the women.

They alleged that certain shopkeepers had also expanded their shops illegally and the MC has not done anything in this regard. They alleged that a dhaba owner had expanded his shop in utter violation of the law.

Meanwhile, timely intervention by PCR cops averted a tense situation in the market in the morning when the shopkeepers objected to the use of the parking lot by some youngsters for playing cricket.

PCR cops shooed away the youngsters, who claimed they came here as they had no other place to play.

The residents too were quite upset at the youngsters who used to create a lot of noise and even abused each other loudly. The shopkeepers and the residents had lodged separate complaints with the authorities.

The residents said, of late the place had become an open drinking spot with a number of youngsters drinking liquor in cars or standing near the vehicles.

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Badal stresses on education of Dalits
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 10
Former Chief Minister and president of the Shiromani Akali Dal, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, today accused the Congress of exploiting and betraying the Dalits across the country.

He was addressing a Dalit chetna rally here today organised by the Bhartiya Valmiki Dharam Samaj.

Mr Badal alleged that during the long-drawn rule of the Congress, the Dalits had only been exploited. He said even now the Punjab Government had made so many promises like free electricity up to 150 units, small plots and other facilities to the Dalits. But everything remained in papers only.

The Akali leader said if his party came to power in the state, he would set up several schools at the pattern of Sanawar for the students belonging to the Dalit and economically weaker sections of society. He observed that the Dalits had not been able to get quality education. He pointed out that reservation in jobs could only be helpful if the Dalit children were given better education.

Addressing the rally, the Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker, Mr Charanjit Singh Atwal, underlined the need for Dalit awareness. He regretted that even after 60 years of independence, the Dalits had not been able to get what they should. He called upon the Dalits to ensure that their children got good education.

The Akali leaders, who included, local MP, Mr Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, former ministers, Mr Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, Mr Gurdev Badal, Mr Jagdish Singh Garcha, Mr Hira Singh Gabria and others targeted the Congress for all the ills of the Dalits.

The Dalit chetna rally ultimately turned out to be an election rally with everybody criticising the Congress.

The Bhartiya Valmiki Dharam Samaj leaders, including Mr Vijay Dhanav and Mr Laxman Dravid, listed a number of demands of the Dalits. They promised Mr Badal that they would ensure he stormed to power with a thumping majority.

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Deaths of field workers expose PSEB faults
Ravi Inder Singh Makkar

Machhiwara, September 10
The Punjab State Electricity Board’s negligence towards the security of field workers is becoming a matter of great concern as two field workers have lost their lives in the past around two months in Machhiwara subdivision alone.

The two deceased include lineman Jagjit Singh of the Ghumana feeder who had died near Rahimabad Kalan about 45 days back. The second victim is assistant lineman Khajan Singh who lost his life on September 8 while working on 1-KVA lines of Lakhowal village of Jassowal feeder.

Both the workers lost their lives due to voltage Back Feeding in the electric lines.

The board authorities have not formed any committees to find the cause of the deaths of both workers. As a result, field workers in this subdivision are in a state of shock and are feeling insecure.

In fact, the Chief Electrical Inspector has not even to visited the area for primary investigations.

These two deaths in Machhiwara subdivision have put a question mark on the attention being paid by the PSEB towards the safety of its workers. As per instructions of the board, all field workers are supposed to wear safey belts, gloves pliers of good quality, and long rubber shoes. But, the field workers have not been provided this kit for the past many years.

On the other hand the board provides dresses made of insulating materials to the workers who work on hot lines of 132 KVA or 220 KVA. If the board provides this sort of dresses to all the field workers, many lives can be saved.

The main reason of ‘voltage back feeding’ is the unauthorised installation of generators as per rules of the board, every consumer is supposed to take permission of the board after submitting a test report before installing a generator. But, of the thousands of generators working in this area, not even a single consumer has taken permission of the board.

The electricity workers who work in the fields are also not happy with the health services available in the local PHU. Both the field workers breathed their last in the local PHU after struggling for quite a long time as they were not shifted to Ludhiana or any other station for better health services.

One of the reasons for their not being shifted to some where else is the non-availability of an ambulance here. Secondly, no other official of the sub division took any pains to carry them to some big hospital.

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Thousands visit Chhapar Mela
Our Correspondent

Mandi Ahmedgarh, September 10
Even after its ceremonial conclusion, thousands of devotees today thronged the Chhapar Mela to pay obeisance to Guga, the embodiment of “nag devta”.
Contrary to the expectations of locals, the gathering was thickest today as all establishments were closed due to Sunday.

A large number of fun-rides, including merry-go-rounds, swings, etc, were doing brisk business. Police sources said organisers of various fun-rides and swings were asked to remove their paraphernalia by tomorrow.

To supplement arrangements made by the administration, various social organisations of the town and surrounding villages organised langars, chhabils and medical assistance camps for the welfare of devotees and volunteers performing duties during the mela.

Hind Hospital and Bharat Vikas Parishad jointly organised a camp near the main gate of the Guga Mari.

“Besides providing first aid, volunteers shifted substantial number of drugged victims, who had become unconscious after consuming drug-laced parsad given by some swindlers,” said Mr Des Raj Sharma and Mr G.S. Grewal, both office-bearers of the parishad.

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Keralites organise community lunch to celebrate Onam
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 10
Members of the Keralite community celebrated Onam, the festival of harvest, here today. A considerable number of the Keralites live in Ludhiana. They organised a community lunch also as part of the celebrations.

According to Mr Alex P Sunil, Onam is celebrated annually in Kerala during August-September. It heralds the harvest festival.

According to the folklore, it is the time of the year when King Mahabali, the legendary ruler of the ancient Kerala, returns to visit his subjects.

The festival includes dances and songs to proclaim the glorious reign of Mahabali.

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Yoga guru against Ramdev’s methodology
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 10
Eminent yoga expert Yogiraj Swami Lal today said there could never be a “thumb rule” in yoga, which suggests that all ‘aasans’ (yogic exercises) will suit everyone.
Yogiraj, who has over 50 years of experience in yoga, is currently conducting a week-long free camp at the ground adjacent to Government College for Women. Hundreds of people attended the camp on the inaugural day today.

Talking with Ludhiana Tribune, the Yogiraj said he disagreed with Swami Ramdev’s method of teaching yoga.

He said: “Yoga spells out what one should do and what one ought not to.” There cannot be a generalised application of yoga.

“Every individual has his own genetic order and metabolism that need different treatment,” he said, adding that the same “aasan” could benefit someone and harm another.

The Yogiraj also warned against instant “taming of breathing”. He said the modern-day teaching of instant breathing practices (pranayam) was quite dangerous.

Questioning Swami Ramdev, he said though he had been preaching against the use of medicines, his own pharmacy sold medicines worth crores of rupees.

During the camp, Yogiraj will give personal hearing to people with specific problems or questions.

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Stir threat by drivers’ union
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 10
The Punjab Government Drivers and Technical Employees Union has said the authorities were not redressing their grievances despite several representations in the past.

Mr Yadvinder Singh, president of the outfit, said the government was silent on the charter of demands submitted by them a few weeks ago despite an assurance that their demands would be accepted.

He said a meeting had been fixed for September 11 with Deputy Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal. In case nothing tangible was achieved that day, they would launch a state-wide agitation to get their due, he added.

Their main demands include giving an assured scale after four, nine and 14 years, extending the special allowance of Rs 700 being given to Secretariat staff to field employees also, getting all government vehicles insured, scrapping of Section 304-A of the IPC, besides regularising the services of all ad hoc, daily wage and work-charged employees.

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Pistol, cartridges seized 
Our Correspondent

Machhiwara, September 10
The police has arrested two migrant workers, employed in a yarn factory on the Kohara road, and seized one country-made pistol and three cartridges from them.
SHO Parkash Singh said the two — Ram Parvesh and Pappu Kumar — were stopped by ASI Surinder Paul Singh while they were on their way from Ranwan-Bhattian to Thakhran village on foot.

The ASI, who was on patrol, got suspicious and stopped the two. On frisking, a .315 bore cartridge and a country-made pistol were seized from Ram Parvesh. Two more cartridges — one of .315 bore and the other of .303 bore guns — were seized from the possession of Pappu Kumar.

The police has booked the two under Sections 25, 54 and 59, Arms Act. The police has not yet revealed if the migrant labourers were involved in any crime.

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Free Maruti check-up camp held

Ludhiana, September 10
Stan Autos today organised a free check-up camp for Maruti vehicles.
According to Dr Naresh Malhotra, Managing Director, Stan Autos, a few hundred vehicles were checked. He maintained that in order to ensure full customer satisfaction the Stan Autos has regularly been organising such camps. TNS

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