J A L A N D H A R    E D I T I O N

Group clash leaves six hurt
Jalandhar, October 24
At least six persons were injured, one of them seriously, in a clash between members of a Dalit community and shopkeepers on Brendth Road here this afternoon. The incensed members of both the groups pelted glass bottles, bricks and stones at each other and brandished naked swords, daggers, baseball bats and sharp-edged weapons in the air while the police remained a mute spectator.

Shattered glass, bricks and stones strewn on the road near Ali Mohalla in Jalandhar on Friday. Tribune photo: Pawan Sharma

DTO’s gunman in vigilance net
Gurdaspur, October 24
Kashmir Singh, gunman of the district transport officer (DTO), Gurdaspur, was caught red-handed by a team of vigilance bureau led by DSP Santokh Singh while he was accepting a bribe of Rs 1,000 from Gurmej Masih for giving him the registration certificate (RC) of his motorcycle today. The motorcycle of Gurmej Masih was challaned a few days ago. 

Three get 3-year RI for attacking naka party
Hoshiarpur, October 24
Additional district and sessions judge SK Arora today sentenced Sarabjit Singh of Mehmoodpur, Taranjit Singh and Kuldip Singh, both of Ajnoha, to three-year rigorous imprisonment each for firing on a police naka party in August near Mehtiana. 

Pathankot youth kills self
Pathankot, October 24
Balwinder (22), resident of Preet Nagar, committed suicide by consuming celphos tablets here on Thursday. The police has registered a case. 

Six robbers arrested
Kapurthala, October 24
The police arrested six persons, wanted in connection with several robberies, from the cremation ground on the Khassan road in Bholath today.

Group clash leaves six hurt
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, October 24
At least six persons were injured, one of them seriously, in a clash between members of a Dalit community and shopkeepers on Brendth Road here this afternoon. The incensed members of both the groups pelted glass bottles, bricks and stones at each other and brandished naked swords, daggers, baseball bats and sharp-edged weapons in the air while the police remained a mute spectator.

The problem aggravated last night when certain youths of the Dalit community purchased some eatables from a shopkeeper and refused to pay for it. The attitude of the buyers angered the shopkeeper community and they objected to it, leading to a tiff.

The youths left the spot but returned with their group members having swords, daggers, baseball bats and other weapons. The mob indiscriminately smashed shutters, windowpanes of shops and certain vehicles in the market. Gone berserk, the armed youths even attacked some shopkeepers forcing them to close their shops. Customers had to hide inside the shops.

After receiving the information, senior police personnel rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control.

The simmering problem aggravated this afternoon after the police called representatives of both the groups to division No 4 police station where representative of the Dalit community failed to reach. The armed youths again resorted to a clash in which almost six persons, belonging to both the groups, were injured.

A high drama was witnessed for almost four hours in presence of a heavy police force, including SPs and DSPs. While a group of armed youths kept brandishing naked weapons and raised abusive slogans on the road, the police cordoned off the area.

The enraged mob was later pacified by SP (headquarters) Satinder Singh who promised legal action against the suspects. He claimed that representatives of both the groups had agreed for a legal action against the troubleshooters.

Cross cases have been registered against members of both the parties involved in the incident.

DTO’s gunman in vigilance net

Gurdaspur, October 24
Kashmir Singh, gunman of the district transport officer (DTO), Gurdaspur, was caught red-handed by a team of vigilance bureau led by DSP Santokh Singh while he was accepting a bribe of Rs 1,000 from Gurmej Masih for giving him the registration certificate (RC) of his motorcycle today. The motorcycle of Gurmej Masih was challaned a few days ago. 

The DTO had imposed a fine of Rs 1,200 on him. Though Gurmej Masih had deposited the fine of Rs 1,200 a few days ago, he was asked to take the RC later on by Kashmir Singh. Kush Pal Singh, reader of DSP Santokh Singh, told The Tribune that when Gurmej Masih demanded his RC back from Kashmir Singh, the latter started demanding a bribe of Rs 1,000 from him. Agitated over this behaviour of the accused, Gurmej Masih of Kullar village of this district, brought the matter to the notice of DSP Santokh Singh.

Taking prompt action on the complaint of Gurmej Masih, a trap was laid and Kashmir Singh was caught red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 1,000 from the complainant.

A case under the prevention of corruption act had been registered against the accused. A team has also been sent to carry out search of accused’s house. — OC 

Three get 3-year RI for attacking naka party

Hoshiarpur, October 24
Additional district and sessions judge SK Arora today sentenced Sarabjit Singh of Mehmoodpur, Taranjit Singh and Kuldip Singh, both of Ajnoha, to three-year rigorous imprisonment each for firing on a police naka party in August near Mehtiana. 

According to the prosecution report, on the night of August 29, 2005, a party led by SI Angrej Singh, near Bhungarni, tried to intercept a scooter on which all the culprits were going. Instead of stopping, they started firing on the police party and tried to escape, but were caught. — OC

Pathankot youth kills self
Our Correspondent

Pathankot, October 24
Balwinder (22), resident of Preet Nagar, committed suicide by consuming celphos tablets here on Thursday. The police has registered a case. 

It is alleged that the deceased took the extreme step due to failure in love. His parents found him in an unconscious state and took him to the civil hospital where he died. 

Six robbers arrested

Kapurthala, October 24
The police arrested six persons, wanted in connection with several robberies, from the cremation ground on the Khassan road in Bholath today.

The police recovered Rs 10,000, two country-made pistols and four cartridges from them. According to the police, the suspects have been identified as Gurpreet, alias Rinku, Salim, Roshan, Bulli, Jony, all residents of Salamatpur, and Davinder Pal, alias Bagga, a resident of Behrampur.

They were involved in several cases of robberies and snatchings.

The police said the robbers had admitted to have robbed Rajesh Kumar of Bholath of a gold bracelet and Rs 7,000 in August and also robbed Mohinder Singh, a resident of Bhatnura locality, of a gold chain and Rs 53,000.

Their biggest robbery was at the house of Rakesh Kumar of Salamatpur where they had robbed him of a huge quantity of gold besides Rs 2.80 lakh.

A case has been registered against them at Bholath police station under the Arms Act. Another case under sections 399 and 402 of the IPC has already been registered against them. — TNS