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TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

Zila Parishad Poll
In Pojewal, it’s CPS Lal vs ex-MLA Kataria
Nawanshahr, May 11
The Pojewal zone for the zila parishad poll here has been emerging as a major attraction for the poll pundits. Though three candidates, Darshan Lal Manhupur (SAD-BJP), Bhajan Lal (Cong) and Manjit Sood (BSP), are in the fray but indirectly it has become a battle of prestige for the two arch rivals, chief parliamentary secretary Nand Lal and former MLA Ram Krishan Kataria of the Congress.

National Technology Day celebrated at Science City
‘Nuke energy key to devp’
Kapurthala, May 11
Stating that the India’ atomic energy programme is for peaceful purposes only, Dr S.R. Gowarikar, head, technical physics division of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, on Sunday said the focus was on giving thrust to the development process. One of the key areas was power production, said the scientist while addressing a gathering at Pushpa Gujral Science City (PGSC) on National Technology Day, celebrated every year since 1998 when India had done two nuclear tests in Pokhran.

Classical treat for city’s music lovers
Prof Hari Dev performs during Sangeet Sandhya in Jalandhar on Sunday evening. Jalandhar, May 11
Continuing with its tradition to promote classical music, the Sangeet Kala Manch organised 49th Sangeet Sandhya here today. Around 10 artistes from different places, including Benaras, Patiala and Chandigarh, performed during the event.

Prof Hari Dev performs during Sangeet Sandhya in Jalandhar on Sunday evening. — A Tribune photograph

Tarunvir murder case: Family seeks CBI probe
Jalandhar May 11
Alleging police inaction into the death of Tarunvir Khurana, who was allegedly killed by his three classmates on August 28 last year, his family on Saturday demanded a CBI probe into the case.

Sleeper Effect

These youngsters seem to be enjoying their siesta in a Jalandhar park. — Tribune photo by Pawan Sharma

Headless body found
in holy city
Amritsar, May 11
Hours before the visit of the Chief Minister, to address a rally of traders and industrialists at a private palace at Chamrang Road here, a beheaded body of an unidentified person was found near the Jahazgarh area, situated few meters away from the road.

‘Rukhan Di Daastan’ depicts different shades of life
Amritsar, May 11
A debate on Punjabi book “Rukhan Di Daastan”, authored by senior journalist Varinder Walia, was organised at Virsa Vihar here today. Punjabi Tribune editor Sidhu Damdami was the chief guest on the occasion.

Bid to supply liquor in jail, one arrested
Jalandhar, May 11
On the heels of the arrest of a person a few days back who was trying to throw a packet of intoxicated capsules into the central jail premises over the wall, the district police on Saturday claimed to have arrested a person who was trying to supply a cane full of country liquor concealed in a tin of “ghee”.On suspicion, jail staff intercepted a person identified as Amrik Singh who was carrying a laminated tin of “ghee” for his relative Narayan Singh lodged in the jail, sources said. — PTI

Rural Poll
Reduction in reserved seats irks Buta
Dharmendra Joshi
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, May 11
The National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes has taken a strong note of the move made by the Punjab government to reduce the reserved SC seats in the panchayat poll. The reduction of seats was a clear violation of
Panchayat Act.

This was stated by commission chairman Buta Singh while addressing mediapersons at Circuit House here today. He said he would review the decision.

“According to the Panchayat Act, seats for the SC in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI) should be reserved according to the population at the district-level. However, the state government had changed it by reserving the SC seats in accordance with the SC population at block-level,” said Buta Singh, adding that the reserved seats for the SC were reduced for the panchayat poll to be held on May 12 and 26.

Buta Singh said, “There is a provision to consult the commission before making any amendment in the reserved SC seats and the Badal government ignored.” Besides, the Punjab government changed the set procedure and issued a notification in April.

Answering to a query, Buta Singh said the commission had issued summon to Bhartiya Kisan Union leader M.S. Tikait on May 8 for allegedly making castiest remarks against UP Chief Minister Mayawati. If he failed to be present within the stipulated time, warrant would be issued against him and the state government would be responsible for the implementation of the warrant, he added.

He said the commission would review the conditions of the SC in Punjab and Haryana shortly.

However, he evaded a direct reply to the question whether he would be contesting the forthcoming parliamentary elections from Jalandhar or not.

One-third booths sensitive in two Doaba districts

Jalandhar/Kapurthala, May 11
Nearly one third of the total 1,358 polling booths set up in two Doaba districts of Jalandhar and Kapurthala have been identified as sensitive for the zila parishad and block samiti elections scheduled to be held on Monday.

Dry days
In the wake of the panchayat poll Jalandhar deputy commissioner-cum-magistrate Ajeet Singh Pannu has declared May 12 and May 14 as dry days.

As many as 59 candidates in 21 constituencies of zila parishad and 462 in 184 constituencies of block samitis are trying their luck in Jalandhar, whereas three candidates in Jalandhar east block and five candidates in Lohian Khas block have already been declared elected unopposed.

Similarly in Kapurthala, 25 candidates for zila parishad and 220 candidates for block samitis are in the fray. According to data collected by The Tribune, as many as 311 of total 810 booths in Jalandhar and 136 of total 548 booths in Kapurthala have been identified as sensitive.

Further, out of the total 311, as may as 209 booths have been identified as hypersensitive in ten blocks of Jalandhar.

While elaborate security arrangements have been made at all the booths of both the districts, special attention has been paid towards sensitive and hypersensitive booths.

According to police sources, two to eight security personnel would be deployed at each sensitive polling booth. Four SPs, ten DSPs and as many as 3,100 police personnel would keep a strict vigil on polling booths to ensure free and fair elections in Jalandhar.

Similarly, as many as 3,000 police personnel have been deployed to maintain law and order during polling in Kapurthala, said DC JM Balamurugan, adding that 28 police parties would also keep on patrolling the booths and special nakas would also be laid. Counting of the votes will start at fixed places on May 14 from nine am. District magistrates have issued directions to close liquor shops and ahatas on May 12 and May 14 in both the districts. Meanwile, in case of any complaint during polling in Kapurthala, election observer KBS Sidhu, also Punjab health secretary, may be contacted at his mobile number 9417233388, said DC JM Balamurugan. Sidhu is staying at room number two of Circuit House in Kapurthala. — TNS

Zila Parishad Poll
In Pojewal, it’s CPS Lal vs ex-MLA Kataria
Our Correspondent

Nawanshahr, May 11
The Pojewal zone for the zila parishad poll here has been emerging as a major attraction for the poll pundits. Though three candidates, Darshan Lal Manhupur (SAD-BJP), Bhajan Lal (Cong) and Manjit Sood (BSP), are in the fray but indirectly it has become a battle of prestige for the two arch rivals, chief parliamentary secretary Nand Lal and former MLA Ram Krishan Kataria of the Congress.

Hectic electioneering by Nand Lal is being witnessed. He is representing the Balachaur constituency for the third consecutive term.

In the last two assembly elections Nand Lal defeated Kataria and his daughter-in-law Santosh Kataria, former zila parishad chairperson.

During the last zila parishad poll held during the Congress regime, both the political rivals had faced each other indirectly. At that time, the daughters-in-law of both of them contested the election. Now, they have fielded their candidates and are again involved in a fierce electoral battle.

Ram Krishan Kataria and Santosh Kataria campaigned for Bhajan Lal and addressed corner meetings in the villages. While talking to The Tribune, the Congress leaders said their major poll plank was the failure of Nand Lal in providing basic civic amenities like drinking water, roads and electricity.

“Besides, the issue of redesigning of the digging plan of the Kandi canal is also a major issue in the area. The residents are opposed to the digging of Kandi canal in the plain areas,” said Ram Krishan Kataria, adding that though Nand Lal had been winning the assembly elections since 1997 by projecting himself as a simpleton, he has failed to raise the vital issues related to the development of the area in the assembly.

On the other hand, Nand Lal exuded confidence that the people of the Balachaur constituency would vote for development and the SAD-BJP combine would win all the zila parishad and block samiti seats. He claimed having got sanctioned a number of tubewells in the constituency to solve the water problem. Besides, the Kandi canal would be dug along the Shivalik Hills only, he reiterated.

National Technology Day celebrated at Science City
‘Nuke energy key to devp’
Dharmendra Joshi
Tribune News Service

Kapurthala, May 11
Stating that the India’ atomic energy programme is for peaceful purposes only, Dr S.R. Gowarikar, head, technical physics division of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, on Sunday said the focus was on giving thrust to the development process. One of the key areas was power production, said the scientist while addressing a gathering at Pushpa Gujral Science City (PGSC) on National Technology Day, celebrated every year since 1998 when India had done two nuclear tests in Pokhran.

Terming the recent Indo-American deal as the victory of Indian scientists, Dr Gowarikar, who was the chief guest at today’s function, said Indian scientists and technologists kept on developing nuclear and space programmes despite sanctions imposed by western countries on India after nuclear tests.

Also a former director of the CSIO, Chandigarh, Dr Gowarikar said, “India needs to attract youngsters towards science and great work has been done at the PGSC for achieving this purpose.”

Presiding over the function, the head of radiotherapy department at the PGI, Chandigarh, Dr B.D. Gupta, urged the gathering to be aware of cancer. “Early detection of cancer is helpful in saving life,” he said, adding that Cancer Awareness Week was organised every year in the month of November to spread awareness among the masses about the disease.

Speaking on the occasion, PGSC director-general Dr R.S. Khandpur said National Technology Day was observed every year to celebrate the indigenous development of technology. Dr Khandpur spoke in detail about the merits of the science city.

A film on Mount Everest was specially screened in the dome theatre on the occasion.

Besides, a project competition was also organised for students of different schools located in different parts of the state.

Among others, PGSC director Dr R. Sharma was present on the occasion.

Classical treat for city’s music lovers
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, May 11
Continuing with its tradition to promote classical music, the Sangeet Kala Manch organised 49th Sangeet Sandhya here today. Around 10 artistes from different places, including Benaras, Patiala and Chandigarh, performed during the event.

Founded by late Dr Joginder Singh Bawra, the manch has been organising musical programmes since 1978 with an aim to give budding classical musicians a platform to showcase their talent.

Talking to The Tribune, Jagdeep Kiran Bawra said, “My father started the Sangeet Kala Manch in 1977 when classical music was being shadowed by the Bollywood music. Since there were limited opportunities for classical artistes, so he thought to start sangeet sandhyas.” Besides, he had been associated with Harballabh Sangeet Sammelan for 55 years.

A post-graduate in music from the University of Delhi, Dr Joginder Bawa had studied and performed with famous ghazal singer Jagjit Singh. He had penned five books, including “Bharatiya Sangeet Ki Utpati Avam Vikas”, “Bharatiya Sangeet Ka Itihaas” and “Harballabh Darpan”.

Tarunvir murder case: Family seeks CBI probe

Jalandhar May 11
Alleging police inaction into the death of Tarunvir Khurana, who was allegedly killed by his three classmates on August 28 last year, his family on Saturday demanded a CBI probe into the case.

“We demand that the case should immediately be transferred to the CBI as we did not have any faith in the Patiala police, which was conducting the investigation in a shabby manner,” Tarunvir's parents said, adding they had also filed a writ petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking a CBI probe.

A student of the Thapar Institute of Engineering, Patiala, Tarunvir went missing on August 25, 2007, when he along with his three friends, Akshey Tyagi, Rahul Aggarwal and S. Bhan, allegedly met with an accident.

“It was a clear case of murder after kidnapping by the three students in connivance with one senior student, Ankit Tula,” mother of the deceased Inderjit Kaur said. Gurdev Singh, Tarunvir's father, said that although the police had registered an FIR against all the four boys under sections 365, 120-B and 302 of the IPC, it instead of arresting the culprits allowed them to roam freely.

He alleged that as the father of one of the accused boys was an IAS officer, he was using his influence to cover up the case. — PTI

Headless body found in holy city
Our Correspondent

Amritsar, May 11
Hours before the visit of the Chief Minister, to address a rally of traders and industrialists at a private palace at Chamrang Road here, a beheaded body of an unidentified person was found near the Jahazgarh area, situated few meters away from the road.

The legs of the person had also been chopped off. The body, which seemed to be dumped three-four days ago, was found during the search operation before the visit of the CM. The police authorities said a case has been registered in this regard.

They said illicit relations or gang war could be the reason behind the brutal murder. However, that something concrete could only be said after the identification of the deceased, they added.