Barnala, April 2
Local police booked three persons, including two NRIs for allegedly duping about 36 families worth crores.

The accused were Sadhu Singh, of Sadhu Singh and Sons firm, and his two sons - Angrej Singh and Prem Singh. A case under sections 406 and 420 of the IPC was registered against them. No arrest has been made so far.

Nearly 36 families from Barnala and adjoining districts complained before the police that Sadhu Singh and his son Angrej Singh were working as commission agents at Bhadaur, while his other son Prem Singh was running a tier shop at Barnala. As the firm was enjoying good reputation in the area, many farmers started depositing their money with the firm. Sadhu Singh and Sons firm also attracted many people on the pretext of sending them abroad. But no one was able to get immigration despite paying money.

After collecting crores of rupees, Sadhu Singh and his sons shifted to Canada about two years back. Recently when Sadhu came to India, people came to know about his arrival and they collectively lodged their complaints before police seeking action against the accused.

The accused duped Kudeep Singh of Rs 6,75,000, Rajinder Singh of Rs 5,85,000, Shamsher Singh of Rs 5,14,000, Gurdev Singh of Rs 2,70,000 and many others.

SHO Bhadaur Kulwant Singh confirmed that a case had been registered in this connection. He said that the police was conducting raids to nab the accused. He added that as the police was apprehending that Sadhu might try to return to Canada, so it had taken up the matter with the Canadian Embassy for not letting him return to Canada. He hoped that the police would be able to make the arrests shortly.

Bathinda, April 2
It is a ‘home away from home’ for hostellers, especially the NRI and foreign students at Delhi Public School here.

The facilities at the school, be it recreation, sports, education or comforts are unmatched.

Hostellers from countries like Nepal, Thailand and Hong Kong find the ambience of the school very conducive for academic pursuits and other developmental activities.

Besides facilities for various games, the school has provision for adventure activities like horse riding, swimming and polo.

The well-furnished hexagonal rooms and dormitories of the Hostel coupled with perfect hygienic conditions makes the School, object of envy for others.

The principal of the school, Arun Jee says that the activities of the school are not confined only to studies and academics and all possible facilities are provided to the students for the overall growth and exploring their talent and potential.

The students of the school have excelled in studies, sports and cultural and co- curricular activities due to proper atmosphere and able guidance, he claims.

The sprawling campus of DPS spread in 14 acres has two different hostels for boys and girls and are no less than a luxurious hotel.

The unique feature about the school was that all the students in one voice praised the faculty and the staff of the school. Another distant aspect of the school was teachers’ couple that stays in the campus and has a 24-hour availability.

Wasan, a XII class student from Thailand said that English learning was the very reason of his presence in the school and this gives him an edge over other students in his native place.

Another student Yem Thapa from Nepal informed that he is not the only student from Nepal as his cousins just appeared in XII board examinations this year. 

Bathinda, April 2
At a time when the procurement of wheat in all the grain markets of the state has formally started, the local grain market looks more of a parking lot for trucks, tractors, trolleys, private buses and has even turned into a repairing point for these vehicles. Despite tall claims made by the state government that the grain markets are ready for wheat procurement, scores of trucks can be seen parked under the shed at the market these days.

Even as the time for wheat arrival has formally started, cleanliness process has not been started at the market yet. Roads leading to the market are also in a bad shape.

A TNS team visited the place today and found about 50 trucks parked under the shed and repair work was being done on others, as these truckers even call mechanics to repair their vehicles.

A trader, on the condition of anonymity, informed, “All unions of trucks, trolleys, tempos and others have set-up their offices here. But they have not made any appropriate arrangements to park their vehicles. Almost all of them are using the government land. The vehicles’ weight also make the surface of the grain market uneven besides forming small pits that are water-logged during rains.”

A trader of iron bars has also set up his shop here and has kept all the iron bars in open on the land meant for wheat crop. Besides, a sawmill is also operating at the place, which has led to accidents in the recent past. Stray cattle were also spotted roaming in the market.

When contacted, president of local Arhtiya Association Satish Kumar said, “These vehicles remain parked around-the-year and pose problem every season. We have written to secretary (market committee) in this regard but no steps have been taken so far.”

DC Rahul Tewari said, “Wheat arrival is late by almost a week this season. So by the time, wheat starts coming in the mandi, it will be cleaned up and vehicles will be shifted from there.”

District Transport Officer Bhupinder Singh, when contacted, said, “We would take action against all those who are using government property for their personal use. And if they still remain there, they would be fined.”

However, Amarjit Singh, secretary of market committee, Bathinda, could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.

Bathinda, April 2
A three-member team of experts which came here to inspect the infrastructure and other facilities at the local Industrial Training Institute (ITI) was not allowed to enter the campus by students, protesting against the reported move of the government to privatise ITIs.

The apprehensive students considered the visit of the team as prelude to privatisation and handing over of the ‘Government property to private sector in the name of public-private partnership’. The students declared that they would not allow this to happen.

The protesting students led by president of the Punjab Students Union Shaheed Randhewa, Pawel Kussa, along with ITI president Gurpal Singh, vice-president Gurpreet Singh Nathana, secretary Sandeep Faridkot and other students said that a clandestine move was afoot to privatise the ITI.

President, ITI Employees Union, Sunil Dutt said that inspite of firm assurance from the Punjab technical education minister that there would be no privatisation, vested interests were at work.

He also called upon all sections of the society, especially the people concerned to raise their voice against the sinister moves of the government which he alleged, was planning to handover 60 ITIs to private sector.

The leaders further alleged that the move was aimed at handing over the sprawling complex of the ITI, spread over an area of 27 acres, to private sector and provide cheap loans to the concerned partners for strengthening the infrastructure and other facilities.

Sources said that there was also a buzz that the five ITIs of the Malwa region were going into the hands of Lakshmi Mittal.

However, the two expert professors—BK Gupta and S.C. Gupta, who constituted the team, sought to allay the fears of the students and maintained that they had come only to inspect the institute and recommended measure to improve their functioning.

Most of these ITIs in the region sans basic facilities and are understaffed.

Bathinda, April 2
“The SAD-BJP coalition is ready to contest the elections any time, but the declaration of the election date depends upon the orders of the State Election Commission,” said Manoranjan Kalia, the state local bodies minister, in a reply to a query related to the inactiveness regarding Bathinda Municipal Corporation elections.

During a press conference held at circuit house here today, he hinted at a short delay in the polls. “It is not in my hand if the date is postponed. So far, I am also not aware of the exact date. But we hope to conduct the polls within the declared period.”

When asked about the appointment of chairmen of boards, the minister said, “Balbir Punj, in-charge of the Punjab BJP affairs, was expected to come here on April 6 and he would announce the further course on the matter.”

Kalia also condemned the attack on the protesting Anganwari workers on March 27 and assured to take up their demands with the union government.

During the meet, he tried to declare the ‘foundation stone laying spree’ in Bathinda as an historical achievement. When asked about the need of flaunting, as all foundation stones laid were a part of single project worth Rs 40 crores, he evaded the query saying that the works would be completed in time and the foundation stones were laid to assure the public.

When apprised of the misuse of “power” in Chak Fateh Singh Wala village, where a private religious programme, in the memory of the in-laws members of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal was in progress, he said, “We should not put the system in water tight compartment. The arrangements were made by the government officials keeping in mind the visit of the CM and the cabinet ministers.”

The minister added that if there were some charges to be collected from the family for the services availed, it would be recovered from them.

When asked about the negative view of the public regarding the selling of public properties, he replied, “Some people have taken the step in negative sense but in fact, the money generated from the sale of properties would be spent on the development of the cities concerned.”

He added that the government had also been looking for other sources to generate funds.

Speaking about the achievement of the state government, the minister said, “Minor mineral quarries of the state has attracted bids totaling Rs 2,095.9 lakh, as compared to Rs 402.1 lakh received in April 2002 during the Congress regime, yielding about five times increased revenue.”

Manoranjan Kalia was accompanied by Kamal Sharma, general secretary of Bharatiya Janata Party, Punjab, and various district-level BJP leaders.

Bathinda, April 2
Being much busy in VIP duties, apparently the Bathinda police could not respond to the call made by people, when mob was giving blows to a rogue, near Hanuman Chowk, at a distance of mere couple of yards away from a police check post, here today.

Giving details of the incident an eye witness said that people called up police helpline before seizing a rogue with a rope and beating him badly. Mob kept on waiting for a long time before taking law into own hands.

The rogue had been reportedly looting people of the market by befooling them. He used to make innocent people target of his deeds.

A victim of the rogue told that he trapped him in his mischief and assured to double the money.

Claiming to have supernatural power, the rogue took a currency note from him and returned after making it double. Taking the boy in confidence, he took a note of 500 from him, swallowed it and tried to flee.

In that run-away plan, mob caught him and dragged on the road.

People called up police but two policemen reached the spot after an hour, when the whole incident was over.

To control the situation, the police registered a case against the accused, Charna Ram of Rampura, under section 420 of the IPC.

Interestingly, a senior officer of the Bathinda police called up in the evening to the TNS and told the police was involved in VIP duty so no one could reach the spot at the time of occurrence.

People present on the spot rued that since the government had changed the hands, police of the district remained much busy in the security of VIPs, frequently visiting the area, putting the security of the society at stake.

It may be mentioned here that due to the alleged absence of police force from the city, the thieves enjoyed the day as four cases of thefts had been reported to the Kotwali police station on Tuesday.

Moga, April 2
Members of the All India Food and Allied Workers Union (AIFAWU) clashed with a rival group over awarding of tender, for loading and unloading of wheat in grain market for the government procuring agencies, in front of DC’s office here today.

The clash left some persons injured while the police had to use mild lathicharge to disperse the members of the warring groups.

The warring groups came to blows when the AIFAWU learnt that the tender had gone into the favour of another organisation.

Sukhdev Singh, secretary, AFAWU, said that workers of their union had been earning their living by loading and unloading grains for government procurement agencies in grain markets of this predominantly agriculture-based district.

He claimed that about 500 workers were members of his union, who had been getting tender for the past over three decades. He said that they had been running their hearth from this profession solely.

Tenders are sought for annual contract.

Sukhdev rued that all of a sudden an “expelled” leader of their organisation cornered tender, which was unfathomable. They smelt something fishy, he added, and claimed that their men were manhandled by the opposite group.

Meanwhile, the opposite group could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.

When contacted, officiating district police chief Ashok Baath said that it was dispute between the two groups and timely intervention by the police saved the situation from spilling out of control. He informed that a case under sections 342, 148 and 149 of the IPC was registered against some persons at the City One police station. 

Bathinda, April 2
The deadlock between media and Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal would apparently not end without the suspension of six cops, who maltreated media persons.

Supporting the Bathinda journalists, reporters of Talwandi Sabo and Raman Mandi today showed their resentment with the CM, during a function at a private college at Raman Mandi. As per the reports, pressmen boycotted the CM speech and the chairs of press gallery remained empty. In an attempt to fill the vacancy, a number of policemen were be seated on them.

It has been reported that Veer Pal Kaur, a leader of Shiromani Akali Dal (ladies wing), along with around 65 women workers wanted to meet Badal to make him apprise of some problem, but the security personnel did not allow them the access to CM.

Meanwhile, the police sleuths took out a girl student Pavneet Kaur out of the Pandal, but let her free after verifying her particulars. Police sources said that she was taken out as she had covered her head with a black cloth, raising suspicion in officials.

The residents were already irked over the 4-hour delay in the arrival of the Chief Minister.

It may be mentioned that frustrated with the ill- treatment on March 27 in the presence of the CM, media persons have been demanding the suspension of six cops. In support of the demand Bathinda pressmen have intensified the protest against the CM and announced to carry out a silence march through out the city, wearing black badges on April 4.

Meanwhile, journalists from various corners of the state have been assuring the cooperation with Bathinda media on the issue.

Mansa, April 2
With jaundice inflicting nearly 400 persons during the last two months in Bareta Mandi and its adjoining villages, residents of the areas are fearing outbreak of an epidemic.

According to sources, contaminated water was the reason behind the spread of the disease in the areas.

Babu Lal, a retired employee of the health department, said that water was being contaminated due to the mixing of water of sewage lines with the drinking water supply line. Testing of water samples had confirmed contamination.

Several persons, including women, named Surinder Kumar, Lalit Kumar, Shanti Saroo, Satpal, Rampal, Amit Arora, Manju, Rakesh Kumar, Jyoti Rani, Ragbeer Guddu, Lachha Ram Pansari, Ghanshyam and Bhupinder Singh are suffering from the disease. Several patients have been undergoing treatment at civil and private hospitals. Some patients have also visited Ludhiana for the treatment.

Some other residents of the Bareta Mandi said that nearly 4 to 5 members of several families had been suffering from Jaundice.

It may be mentioned here that Budhlada MLA Mangat Rai Bansal had raised the issue in the recently concluded Assembly session. Government had also assured that all compulsory arrangements would be made to control the spread of disease. Civil Surgeon Mansa Dr. G.S. Nagi said that consumption of contaminated water was the reason behind the spread of the disease. Now drinking water was being supplied through tankers and pipes of water supply was also being cleaned, he added.

He admitted that nearly five to six patients suffering from Jaundice had been coming daily for treatment. He said all medicines had been supplied for treatment of this disease. 

Barnala, April 2
As many as 1,100 patients suffering from various eye ailments were counselled at the three-day free eye camp organised by the Bhagat Mohan Lal Sewa Samiti, Barnala, at Shanti Hall.

NGO’s general secretary Jagir Singh Jagtar said that an eight-member team of doctors led by Dr Neha, Dr Sandeep and Dr Thomas from the CMC, Ludhiana examined the patients.

Sixty-four operations were performed and patients were implanted intraocular lenses free of cost.

On the concluding day, DC R.L. Mehta visited the camp. He applauded the efforts of the NGO who has been orgainsing this camp for the last 47 years. Mehta assured the NGO to extend full cooperation from the administration in its future endeavours. 

Bathinda, April 2
Bathinda and its surrounding areas were lashed by a squall this evening, disrupting the normal life. The squall raised dust obscuring the landscape and forced people to rush indoors.

People were seen covering their eyes and ears to protect themselves from piercing dust particles, which came zooming, like rockets. Sand dunes, which had become a thing of past in Malwa, emerged at several places and the situation was worst on Bathinda- Goniana road where construction works were on.

The visibility was reduced to few meters and vehicles were forced to move at snail’s pace. However, there was no rain but mercury registered a sharp fall as strong velocity winds continued to sweep the region. — TNS