Bathinda, July 20
As a precautionary measure in the ongoing Dera-Sikh controversy, the district administration today revived the district peace committee, which had reportedly played a crucial role when the controversy had first erupted last year. This time, the administration has made efforts to include people from the district to the village level in the committee.

The meeting was addressed by Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Faridkot range, Jitendra Jain, officiating Deputy Commissioner, Vijay Zade, Senior Superintendent of Police, Ashish Chaudhary, Mayor Baljeet Singh Birbehman and area in-charge of SAD (B), Sarup Chand Singla.

Addressing officers, councillors and other dignitaries of the city, Jain made an appeal for lending maximum cooperation so that disturbance can be prevented in the area. Cautioning the Sikh protesters who have given a call for Punjab bandh on July 23, he said that no one would be allowed to carry any kind of weapon, even lathi on that day.

He further said right from the SSP to a jawan of the Home Guards, all policemen have been instructed to keep an eye on miscreants and maintain law and order at all costs.

Speaking over the issue, Zade said the administration had planned to create 11-member peace committees at the ward level. The ward committees would play an effective role in calming down tense situations and moreover, they would provide information to the administration also.

He said the committees would be constituted at the sub-division, block, police station and village levels and various administrative officers would be included in these committees.

One the other hand, leader of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Sukhpal Singh Saran questioned the administration as to why a situation arises where protesters have to give a call for bandh? He openly accused the officials of not playing the desired role at a time when it is needed the most.

After him, various other leaders present there, including Congress leaders Tehal Singh Sandhu, Ashok Kumar and SGPC member Bibi Davinder Kaur expressed their opinions.

Later, councillors and others were found speculating over the working of the committee. Some of them alleged that the committees would more or less be dominated by the leading lights of the city.

Moga, July 20
The General Secretary of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) and former MLA Vijay Sathi lauding the role of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the Indo-US nuclear deal said that it was the need of hour to bring the nation on the road of progress in every field.

He said that the political parties that were opposing the nuclear deal were not in the interest of the nation and were betraying with the people of the nation. No matter, the association of the SAD with BJP was unquestionable but the interest of the nation was always above politics, he said. He appealed the Akalis to rethink over the decision taken by them on nuclear pact.

He said, "Manmohan Singh is a nationalist leader who does not believe in dirty politics, therefore, one should respect the decision taken by him with regard to the nuclear pact considering the interest of the nation".

Sathi said that the safety, honour and welfare of the nation come first than the comfort of the people.

Expressing his concern over the decision of the Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal not to extend support to the nuclear pact he said, "It is a decision seems to have been taken merely to oppose the ruling coalition because of its loyalty to the BJP without going through the visionary thought of the Sikh PM whose name will be included into the golden pages of the history".

While adding that for agricultural and industrial growth there was a need of cheaper and surplus power, Vijay Sathi claimed that he was the first legislator of Punjab to have raised the issue of setting up a nuclear power plant in the state legislative assembly during the Beant Singh government and this historical fact was recorded in the proceedings of the assembly. 

Ferozepur, July 20
President of the District Congress Committee Gurnaib Brar informed that the rank and file of the district Congress gathered at Congress Bhawan on Sunday to pray for the successful completion of five years tenure of the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government at the centre. He said it was unfortunate that the NDA and other parties were trying to endanger the nuclear deal and weaken the government. 

Bathinda, July 20
Due to the alleged careless attitude of the officials concerned, the development of Bathinda, the premier town of Malwa, is slowly becoming a mismanaged affair. In the name of development, the artery of the city, the Bathinda-Goniana road, has been dug up on both sides. Ignoring public inconvenience, the entry and exit points towards the Rose Garden have been closed.

This state of affairs has been irritating residents but the authorities concerned seem oblivious to it.

It comes as a shock for a visitor to find himself confined near the Rose Garden roundabout, where on the one side, the road gullies are being constructed and on the other, a knee deep pit, which remains filled with sewage and rain water, has blocked the road.

Frustrate over the indifference of the authorities over the issue, residents hailing from localities like Ganesha Basti, Vishal Nagar, Tagore Nagar, Aggarwal Colony and Green Avenue today approached The Tribune office and disclosed that repeated requests to the Improvement Trust had fallen on deaf ears.

The residents said that on the one side of the road, where the pavement and parking slot have been completed, tiles, cement, sand and other construction material are still found lying. It only serves to create hurdle in the flow of traffic. In addition to this, the authorities have started digging up trenches on the opposite side for road gullies, laying pipes, wires and pavement.

When contacted, X-En, Improvement Trust, Bathinda, Parmod Sharma, said, “We regret the inconvenience but it is due to the lack of time that the contractor has initiated work on both sides. Moreover, rains have added to the problem. Despite all this, we have been trying to tackle the problem.”

On his part, Mayor Baljeet Singh Birbehman said, “Though the project is not under the Bathinda Municipal Corporation (BMC), but as a representative of the residents, I will personally inquire about the matter from senior officials of the Improvement Trust.”

Bathinda, July 20
It was childhood revisited as one found oneself seated in the enclosure at the matinee show of the Asiad Circus that is in town now and proving to be a big draw. A quintessential part of growing up, circus has seen days of greater glory in India with Raj Kapoor’s immortal classic “Mera Naam Joker” brilliantly revolving around one of its central characters, the joker.

That circus remains etched in childhood consciousness was evident from the fact that the most elders present there were accompanying their children. In the age of Internet, computer, DVDs, CDs and iPods, the sight of children present in numbers was heartening and a reminder that recreation and entertainment do not necessarily have to be hi-tech. Birds, animals and acts of daredevilry still continue to fascinate children and the fun is remarkable for its innocence.

However, one could feel that the number of animals had been restricted. In the days of yore, one remembers that the circus also had animals like lions and bears on display. Their absence now probably reflects the concern for the dwindling number of the species and also to prevent cruelty towards the animals. But the sight of the grim ringmaster who made even the king of jungle follow his dictum is something that one misses.

However, the circus remains a perfect embodiment of national integration with artistes from places like West Bengal, Jharkhand, Punjab, Bangalore and Maharashtra coming together to perform. Not only this, there was an Australian artiste too performing at the Asiad Circus.

Over the years, the items performed at the circus have not changed. The cockatoos and the dogs were all too familiar. The motorcycle daredevilry inside the metallic ball, the acrobatics and feats performed with sleight of hand have all managed to be an element of continuity in this form of entertainment. One also felt an empathy for the artists whose working hours are long and require great physical endurance.

But it’s a great feeling to realise that with all its risk and daredevilry, circus is there for the thrill, and it doesn’t kill. Despite its old-fashioned charm and the sweltering heat, it is still a great form of entertainment.

Hindumalkot/Abohar, July 20
Even after a week-long interrogation, the sleuths from provincial as well as Central agencies have not been able to find out the reason as to why a Pakistan-born doctor took the risk of crossing the international border illegally to enter the Hindumalkot sector of the Indian territory last Sunday, sources indicated today.

The BSF personnel posted at Khakha Border observation Post (BoP) had warned him against entering the Indian territory after he crossed the zero line but he waved a piece of white cloth and surrendered before the soldiers. He was handed over to Hindumalkot police for interrogation. He appeared calm and comfortable in the police custody.

The photo I-card in his possession identified him as Tayyab Tahit Jameel, son of late Mohammad Yaqub, resident of Qwalik village in Daswan sub-division of district Siyalkot. Further search led to recovery of 200 American dollars, 3036 Pakistan rupees, a screw driver, some garments along with a few goods of daily use.

A pay-slip in his possession confirmed that he was posted in a rural dispensary and was drawing Rs 27,000 a month.

During preliminary interrogation, Jameel reportedly revealed that he was unhappy over the increasing activities of hardliners in Pakistan. He had planned to settle in Taiwan but could not arrange for visa and money. He had virtually become an agonist and learnt about similar persons across the globe by surfing websites.

Separate interrogation conducted by different agencies revealed that Jameel (27) did his MBBS from Lahore University and got a government job in 2006. In 2002, while he was studying, he had developed hatred for fundamentalists, militants and other hardliners, who decried the basic principles of humanity.

Denying strongly that espionage was his mission Jameel asserted that he was less worried about the behaviour of the BSF rather than that of the Pakistan Rangers. He had believed that it would be safe to cross over to India and initiate a new life than to live a depressed life in his own country, sources said.

Moga, July 20
Mystery shrouds the death of a married woman who reportedly died because of severe burn injuries at her residence in village Nihalsinghwala in the district on Saturday.

Husband of the deceased said that she allegedly committed suicide by setting herself on fire while the family members of the deceased alleged that the husband of the woman killed her.

Police had recovered the body of the woman and sent it for a post-mortem at the government hospital, the report of which was still awaited. The viscera had also been collected for a chemical examination, said police sources. Later, the body was handed over to the family members for last rites. The police was still investigating into the matter, when the news report was last written.

As the police sources, the deceased Veerpal Kaur (28) was married to one Major Singh, a resident of Nihalsinghwala about eight years back. They had two children but were allegedly not enjoying happy their marital life.

Manjit Kaur, the sister of the deceased woman, in a statement given to the police, had stated that Major Singh often used to quarrel with her sister for the past few years on petty issues. The sister added that she had mediated on many occasions between them to settle the issues but in vain.

Manjit alleged that on Saturday Major Singh had burnt her sister to death by pouring kerosene on her.

However, Major Singh while denying the allegations stated that her wife had committed suicide and he was in no way involved in her death. At the same time he also revealed to the police that her wife was 'characterless' and enjoyed extra-marital relations with many persons who used to come to their house in his absence.

The husband said that he had on many occasions asked his wife to stop all such acts and lead a respectful life but she did not listen to him. Major had stated that when he went outside to send his children to the school on Saturday morning, Veerpal poured kerosene on her and set her on fire. The husband denied that he was present in the house when the incident took place. 

Abohar, July 20
Congress MLA Sunil Jakhar alleged that those in power were mounting pressure on the police to save some active BJP workers, who were part and parcel of the game plan that led to the dubious sale of the prime agricultural land and subsequent triple murder in Usmankhera village on Thursday night.

In a signed statement today, the legislator expressed shock over the gruesome murders and pledged to ensure justice for the affected families. He warned that if the administration succumbed to any kind of pressure, the land mafia would expand its wings and force small farmers to quit the region. A BJP worker, who aspired to become sarpanch, as he enjoys close relationship with a senior BJP leader, was at the helm of the ugly affairs, Jakhar added. Such elements must be booked in the instant case, he urged.

Alleging that more groups of land mafia had become active after formation of the alliance government in Punjab, Jakhar said some senior activists of the ruling alliance had been aspiring to become billionaires overnight by adopting foul means in connivance with the administration.

The mafia men had earlier grabbed prime land located near NH 15 in Khuyiansarwar village and Sappanwali also under protection from the administration.

Jakhar urged the CM to order probe into the latest case by an independent agency so as to expose the conspirators behind it and get all of them booked. 

Bathinda, July 20
A couple allegedly ran away with a 10-month-old baby boy at the Bathinda railway station here today.

According to information, Rajni, a resident of Kannauj district of Uttar Pradesh, left her home along with her 10-month-old baby, Ranshu, because of domestic problems. Her neighbour Seema and her husband accompanied Rajni to Punjab.

She was working as a daily wage labourer in Muktsar. She said that when she got to know that her husband was not well, she decided to go back. She reached the Bathinda railway station to board the train.

Seema and her husband accompanied her to the station. She left her baby with the couple and went to wash his son’s clothes.

In the meantime, the couple allegedly whisked away her baby.

The Government Railway Police (GRP) station was immediately informed and they are looking for the culprits. SHO GRP, Kuljeet Singh, said that the local police had been informed and a case would be registered only after full investigations.

Sources said that Seema has only two daughters.

Bathinda, July 20
A blood donation camp was organised by the members of the Baba Farid Nagar Sports Club with the help of United Welfare Society.

It was inaugurated by state awardee Anil Saraf. As many as 12 youth donated blood at the camp.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief guest said that the blood donation mission has to be taken forward to ensure that there is no loss of life due to absence of the required blood group.

Bathinda, July 20
The M. Phil Distance Education Union of Punjab held its meeting at Sri Guru Gobind Singh Park, Muktsar, and have decided to boycott sitting members of the Panjab University (PU) senate in the ensuing elections. The PU has termed them ineligible for lectureship, as their M. Phil degrees have been acquired through distance education. Most members of the union have acquired their degrees through Annamalai University, Algappa University, Madurai Kamraj University, Periyar University and the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) etc.

To exert pressure on the university, the union has also decided to fight the elections. The representative of the union might fight the senate elections to put forward their point of view, said Jaspal Singh, president of the union.

This was the second such meeting convened by the union that has been formed merely a fortnight back. Nearly 50-60 participants from all over Punjab assembled under one banner. Most of them are also working as lecturers in private colleges.

Jaspal Singh is working as a lecturer of Physical Education at Sri Guru Gobind Singh College of Education, Malout. He claimed to have an appointment letter from the college. "But Panjab University is not giving approval in my case. I cleared the interview and was appointed last year. I did my M. Phil in 2006 from the Annamalai University. Now what should I do?"

Another participant, who didn't wish to be named, said that he acquired his degree through distance education in Library Sciences in 2008. "Whenever we apply in colleges affiliated to PU, we are told that since you have acquired the degree through correspondence, you are not eligible. See the 'standards' of PU, it is not recognising the degrees of reputed universities."

Vice-Chancellor of Panjab University, R.C.Sobti, contended that only those are ineligible who did their M.Phil from unrecognised universities, and Periyar University is one of them. He categorically said, " We recognise degrees from distance education programmes."

There are 178 colleges affiliated to Panjab University.

It is important to mention here that two years ago, the University Grants Commision (UGC), through a notification, announced that those students who have an M. Phil degree need not take the National Eligibility Test (NET) for lectureship in colleges, which used to be required earlier. After that, a lot of students did their M. Phil through distance education programmes started by various open universities in the country. 

Abohar, July 20
The pressure allegedly mounted by the top leadership of Punjab BJP on CM Parkash Singh Badal to get action against about 24 Ludhiana-based industrial units deferred has evoked criticism from different quarters.

PPCC vice-president and a former minister Sajjan Kumar Jakhar lambasted the saffron party for coming to the rescue of the industries, which had been discharging chemical waste in the Sirhind feeder and Budha Nalah for the last decade.

Referring to The Tribune cover page news in this connection, Jakhar said,during an interaction with news persons at Maujgarh village, that the CM during a function in Ludhiana recently not only rebuffed local MLA Sat Pal Gosain for coming to the defence of the “guilty” units but also disclosed that the state BJP president Rajinder Bhandari had also recommended that action should be deferred. It was shameful for the party who had been cursing the Captain's government in the past for delaying action against such hazardous units despite instructions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Observing that the saffron party stood exposed, Jakhar said the BJP leaders were not concerned over hundreds of deaths due to cancer and other chronic diseases that had been reported from the Malwa region due to the compulsion on consuming polluted water. Legislators from the region had been also crying hoarse over the supply of black water not only in Ferozepur district but also in the neighbouring areas of Sriganganagar.

Local MLA Sunil Jakhar had recently sought the intervention of the HC Chief Justice Vijender Jain during latter's visit here to get recipe from the menace. 

Ferozepur, July 20
In first of its kind initiative in this border region, the Radhe Radhe Welfare Society in collaboration with Dr. Om Parkash Satyam Hospital, Amritsar, opened a hospital here today for the poor and needy patients suffering from eye ailments.

The Muni Lal Eye Hospital, that was inaugurated by Parminder Singh Pinki, general secretary of the PPCC, will provide free indoor OPD, medicines and post-operative care to the poor patients.

Pinki lauded the efforts of the society for opening a state-of-the-art eye hospital in a remote area.

Secretary of the society Chander Mohan Handa said the land for the hospital had been donated by Muni Lal Aggarwal while NRIs and local philanthropists contributed funds.

Handa added that in case of any complicated surgery or operation, the patient would be referred to Dr. Om Parkash Satyam Hospital at Amritsar, where operation would be done free of cost. "The expenditure for the same shall be borne by the society."

Leading social workers, including Subhash Tuli, M.M. Sachdeva and Satish Grover besides representatives of several NGOs were present during the inauguration ceremony.

Abohar, July 20
SAD (B) MLA Gurtej Singh Ghuriana has claimed that the newly-elected members of panchayats in 25 villages of his Assembly segment had elected pro-SAD (B) sarpanches.

Talking to The Tribune over phone today, Ghuriana said the Congress had not so far been able to open its account. All nine members were present in the meeting that was held in Himmatpura village today and elected Sukhbir Kaur as sarpanch unanimously. Hans Raj and Puneet Kumar were elected as sarpanches of villages Rampura, Narainpura and Bazidpur Bhoma respectively.

However, elections could be held in most of the panchayats during second meeting only, as quorum was not complete in the first meetings, he added.