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Chandigarh, December 20 The Municipal Corporation elections saw 45.72 per cent voters exercise their franchise here today. According to officials, the polling was conducted peacefully.

FLAUNTING THEIR IDENTITY: Voters queue up to cast their ballot in the MC poll at a polling booth in Mauli Jagran, Chandigarh, on Wednesday. — Tribune photo by Malkiat Singh

Hung House likely 
Chandigarh, December 20
The city may be heading for a hung House in the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh despite rhetoric displayed by the top political leadership in the city. Low voting, particularly in the urban wards, may not give clear edge to any of the major three political formations—the Congress, the BJP-SAD alliance and the Chandigarh Vikas Manch (CVM) — in the civic body poll, counting of which is slated for December 22.

Parties allege bogus voting
Chandigarh, December 20
Candidates of major political parties “enjoyed the outside help” in the elections to the local Municipal Corporation held here today. The help was seen in the form of supporters, bogus voters or leaders from Punjab, who enjoy a political clout in the city.

Polling peaceful, except ...
Chandigarh, December 20
The polling was more or less peaceful in the city. However, tense moments were witnessed in Ward No 2 when BSP candidate Anita Sahini was denied voting right after her name was found missing in the voters’ list present with the officials there.

63 pc turnout in panchayat elections
Chandigarh, December 20
The elections to the panchayat samiti members recorded a voting percentage of over 63 per cent. The State Election Commissioner, Mr S. P. Marwah, said till 4 p.m., 58 per cent of the electorate had cast their vote. Constituency No 8 recorded a high of 70.36 per cent followed by constituency No 11 which had a polling percentage of 70.25 per cent.

Dry day: Inebriated youth kills father
Chandigarh, December 20
A youth murdered his father on a dry day in an inebriated condition. The provocation: Not being served his choicest meal. The incident took place in Bhaskar Colony, Sector 25, last night when a 23-year-old-youth allegedly bludgeoned his 75-year-old father to death.

Bill being introduced in Parliament to check unsolicited mobile calls
Chandigarh, December 19
Your quintessential accompaniment all around — mobile phone — is invading your privacy, every single moment of your life. From the spam calls and sms alerts by your cell phone operator or by banks and/or insurance companies, to being forced to part with your cell phone before entering several government buildings or during air travel — ensures that you cannot remain ‘connected’ at your own will.

Watch out
DR V.K. Chhabra, a leading family physician in the city, will be cruising on the Arabian Sea, from Goa to Mumbai, to participate in a three-day conference — Inspire 2006 — Update in Chest Medicine, beginning Thursday.

In Town
Back from Pakistan Ludhiana-based Punjabi scholar and literary critic M.S. Cheema is in the city on the invitation of the Secretary General of the Punjab Arts Council. M.S. Cheema, known as the encyclopaedia of Punjabi literature, is admired both in India and Pakistan especially after the release of his latest book ‘Signature’ at the Nehru Centre, London, recently. He will review the maintenance of the archives of the old folk musical instruments on the verge of extinction at the Arts Council archives and the modalities for providing representation to the folk artists from the Doaba region.

Passing Through

COMMUNITY

SAD youth leader flays govt policies
Mohali, December 20
The Congress had exploited various sections of society, including, farmers, businessmen, employees, workers and Dalits, during its regime in the state. This was stated by Mr Harsukhinder Singh Babbi Badal, general secretary of the youth wing of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) at a rally held in Phase XI here today. The youth leader said the government had shown no concern for the common man who was finding it very difficult to make both ends meet due to rising prices.

Blast triggers panic at Mani Majra

Chandigarh, December 20 There was panic in Mani Majra following an explosion near the Solitaire hotel this afternoon. The explosion ripped through the skull of a bitch, killing it on the spot. No one was reportedly injured in the blast. Cops examine the spot where a bitch was killed in an explosion near the Solitaire hotel, NAC, Mani Majra, on Wednesday. — Tribune photo by Malkiat Singh

Panchkula becoming city of crime 
Panchkula, December 20
Four days, three thefts, two clashes, two snatchings and unprovoked beating up of two boys by policemen — shocking statistics for a district considered to be Haryana’s show window and whose resident list includes the Deputy Chief Minister and ministers of the Haryana government.

India needs effective library policy framework: Expert
Chandigarh, December 20
Social Sciences in India have not received the due attention they deserve. Social scientists must come out of their narrow groove in the globalised world. This was stated by Mr Rashpal Malhotra, Director-General, Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development (CRRID), while inaugurating the four-day workshop-cum-symposium on the "Role of Information Technology for the Advancement of Social Science Research", at CRRID here today.

Terrorism: Experts for more teeth to police 
Chandigarh, December 20
Top security experts in the country have expressed their serious concern over the prevailing security scene in the country. In a signed statement, they have demanded more teeth for the police and also change in laws to deal with terrorism.

Night Life
Farmhouse bashes the latest fad

Chandigarh, December 20 Placed far from the rules of social existence and inhibitions on the freeway meandering its way through the hustle and bustle of city life, you miss noticing so many extravagant farmhouses flourishing near Zirakpur during the daytime. In fact you tend to whiz past them unconcerned, if parties or marriage ceremonies are not commemorating their holy union with the partying crowd in the hours of daylight.

Speaking Out
‘Justice still exists in India’
Chandigarh, December 20
The Delhi High Court judgement, awarding life imprisonment to Manu Sharma in the Jessica Lall murder case, has got the thumbs up from the city. Residents have termed it as “victory for justice and the media”.

Oustees urge govt to allot plots
Mohali, December 20
The Pre-1966 Punjab Capital Project Oustees Rehabilitation Committee, Mohali, has urged the Punjab Chief Minister to allot plots to 6,000 capital project oustees at the 1966 price schedule to rehabilitate them.

Two cops suspended
Panchkula, December 20
Two cops involved in the beating up of two boys in the Sector 9 market were suspended today. The personnel of the Haryana Armed Police, Ajit and Rakesh, were accused of beating Sameer Chadha and Abhinav Bansal, students of Class XI, without provocation.

Dhillon new SSP of Mohali
Mohali, December 20
Mr Gurinder Singh Dhillon took over as SSP of Mohali district here today. He replaces Mr Naunihal Singh who has been transferred to Jalandhar.

CRIME

Thieves strike at house, decamp with gold

Panchkula, December 20 Thieves struck at a house in Sector 4 here today and decamped with 12 tolas of gold, some foreign currency and a Rado watch among other items. The owner of the house, Mr Randhir Singh Dhindsa, was away with his family for a vacation when the incident took place. A neighbour shows the ransacked house in Sector 4 of Mansa Devi Complex in Panchkula on Wednesday. — Tribune photo by Malkiat Singh

Drunk cop crushes youth to death
Chandigarh, December 20
A police personnel in an inebriated state allegedly crushed a youth to death and injured two persons on the Rajpura-Chandigarh road last night. An inebriated Joginder Pal, posted at the Sadar police station here,was on his way from Rajpura to Chandigarh when he allegedly lost control over his car and rammed into the bicycle of Narinder Kumar (18), who was going to his village. Narinder Singh and Harish Kumar, who were on their bicycles, to were injured.

Two arrested with liquor
Chandigarh, December 20
Two persons, including a woman, were arrested on the charge of illegally possessing liquor yesterday. The police said Krishna Devi of Sector 29 was arrested from her residence with three cartons of whisky. In another incident, Joginder Singh of Dadu Majra Colony was held on the allegations of possessing 15 bottles of whisky and four bottles of country-made liquor.

BUSINESS

Chadha Group signs Kapil
Chandigarh, December 20
Legendary cricketer Kapil Dev has been signed as brand ambassador by The Chadha Group to endorse its residential township project, Westend Estate, in Mohali. Under the project, the group will develop sports infrastructure for residents under the supervision of the cricketer.

Get set for surprises
Chandigarh, December 20
Christmas may still be nearly a week away, but commercial houses have come out with bag full of yuletide surprises for city residents. At Cafe Coffee Day, you can take part in the “Be a Santa” contest. Buy two gift certificates of Rs 202 and forward the bill number and the outlet’s name at a specified number through an SMS.

EDUCATION

Tribune Impact
I was misled, says Sobti
Chandigarh, December 20
The Panjab University Vice-Chancellor, Prof R.C. Sobti, today revoked his decision regarding the revision of the Board of Studies in Defence and Strategic Studies. The fact that members of the board had been changed at the fag end of their term was highlighted by Chandigarh Tribune today.

Satluj Public School wins group song contest
Panchkula, December 20
The Saraswati Kala Sangam organised a cultural programme and a group song competition at Satluj Public School. Six schools participated in the contest.

Scintillating performance by Saupin’s students

Chandigarh, December 20 The annual function of Saupin’s School, Sector 32, was held at LECMA, Air Force Station, here today. The function saw amazing performance by young Saupinites. The function started with Saraswati Vandana and was followed by the recitation of poem ‘Common Courtesy’. Students perform ‘Dandia’ at Saupin’s School-32 at the annual day function on Wednesday.

Christmas spirit at St Peter’s
Chandigarh, December 20
Christmas spirit came alive at St Peter’s School in Sector 37 here yesterday. Children enthusiastically decorated their classrooms with Christmas trees, bells, stars, buntings and balloons.

St Xavier's X-mas celebrations
Mohali, December 20
The Christmas celebrations of St Xavier's High School, Sector 71, took place here today, with lots of fun, entertainment, and competition. Maninder Singh of Class 8 B was adjudged the best actor. The award for best dancer went to Jaskiran Kaur of Class 5.

Cultural programme at Saraswati Kala Samagam
Panchkula, December 20
The Saraswati Kala Sangam organised a colourful cultural programme and a group song competition at the Satluj Public School. The cultural programme featured noted composer singer Devki Anand, Shikha Mukeryee, Vandana Tewari, Sarita Bakshi, Achla Dhingle, Debashish Dhar and others at the Satluj School complex.

COURTS

Gursewak’s case
Panchkula, December 20
Punjabi singer Gursewak Mann’s case was adjourned for January 23 after the police failed to produce a challan here today. Mann and Neha Thakur appeared in the court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Mr A.D. Gaur.

CULTURE

‘Moti Panj Daryavan De’ released
Chandigarh, December 20
Litterateurs of the region participated in a seminar and book-release function of a Punjabi poetry book, “Moti Panj Daryavan De,” organised by the Punjab Sahit Akademi at the Kala Bhavan hall here.

SPORTS

Kapil backs Sreesanth Chandigarh, December 20 Former skipper Kapil Dev has come out in favour of Sreesanth over his act of aggression on the field in the first Test at Johannesburg. He has been fined 20 per cent of the match fee for his act. Former Test cricketer Kapil Dev readies to face questions from journalists in Chandigarh on Wednesday. — Tribune photo by Manoj Mahajan

MCM win inaugural match of JAL series

Chandigarh, December 20 The 115-run off 90 balls partnership of Karan Khosla and Shubham Vij guided the host team MCM Blue Caps Cricket Academy to register a 76-run win over City Cricket Academy, Leicester (UK), in the inaugural match of the JAL Friendship Series (U-13) at MCM DAV College, Sector 36, here today. A match in progress between City Cricket Academy, (UK) and MCM Blue Caps Cricket Academy at MCM in Sector 36, here on Wednesday. — Tribune Photo by Vinay Malik

Snooker title for Satyan Anand
Panchkula, December 20
Satyan Anand won the junior (u-21) snooker title beating Chirag Arora in the final of Haryana Billiard and Snooker meet held at Haryana Billiards, Sector 11, here today. Satyan hit the break of 39 but Chirag also replied with a break of 31. As luck would have it, Chirag while potting the last black ball, gave a foul and lost the frame.

JJ beat Kalsi in cricket
Chandigarh, December 20
A fine knock of 62 runs off 52 balls by Sondi engineered the victory of JJ Cricket Club, Sector 42 against Kalsi Cricket Club in a Twenty-20 match. The match was organised jointly by Guru Nanak Public School and CC, Sector 36 at the GNPS grounds, Sector 36, here today.