Jalandhar, February 16
The authorities have made night patrolling mandatory in the villages of the district in view of the increasing incidents of crime in the past few days.

Deputy Commissioner Ajeet Singh Pannu and SSP (R) Ashish Chaudhary today visited the house of the deceased farmer Mohan Singh of Nangal Ambian village, who was killed by some robbers last night.

They offered condolences to the bereaved family and said efforts were afoot to nab assailants.

Pannu said directions have been given to panchayats and the police to ensure that able-bodied men take to night patrolling in their villages to prevent the occurrence of such incidents.

In this context, provisions of Section 144 of the CrPC have been invoked in the 
district, he added.

Special care has been taken to include those houses that have been built in the fields or at some distance from the village. The administration would also provide arms licences on a priority basis to such families, he said.

The SDM and DSP, Shahkot, have been instructed to look into the matter and forward the names of those eligible for licences, he added.

Chaudhary said more PCR vehicles would patrol the villages, especially at night.

He also appealed to the people to ensure night patrolling so that such incidents do not occur. Such parties should carry licensed arms, torches and whistles so that villagers could be alerted in case of any eventuality, he said.

Villagers assured that they would abide by the orders of the administration and offered cooperation to the authorities.

Jalandhar, February 16
Some armed persons attacked a man going on a scooter with sharp-edged weapons at a busy chowk in a densely populated area in broad daylight today.

The victim, Subhash Chander (42), a resident of Bhargo Camp, succumbed to injuries on his way to hospital. The incident occurred at Babu Jagjiwan Chowk on the 120-Foot road at about 2.30 pm.

Eyewitnesses claimed that a motorcycle-borne youth stopped Subhash Chander on the road and indulged in arguments. In the meantime, an Indica car reached the spot and some armed youths got out of it. Brandishing the weapons in air, they attacked Subhash Chander and sped away from the scene leaving him critically injured. No passerby dared to come for Chander’s rescue.

Local residents later informed the police and the injured was rushed to the Civil Hospital, but he succumbed to injuries on the way.

Talking to The Tribune, Nirmal Singh, SHO, Division No 5 police station, said the attack was due to some old rivalry between the victim and assailants. The police had registered a case of murder under Section 302 of the IPC against the assailants on the complaint of Dharam Pal, a brother of the deceased.

Nawanshahr, February 16
The police has registered a case against Dr. Jaswinder Singh, posted at Mini PHC, Aur under sections 7, 13, 15 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 at Sadar Police Station here on Thursday. The case has been registered on the basis of the complaint lodged by Gulzar Singh of Pandrawal village to the Deputy Commissioner on December 11, last year in which he had accused the doctor of demanding Rs 10,000 from him for admitting his son at Mini PHC and misbehaving with him.

The complainant had stated that his son Gurmail Singh got injured in scuffle at the village on December 3 and when he took his son to Mini PHC, Aur for treatment, the doctor on duty refused to admit him.

Meanwhile, the district unit of the PCMS Association held a dharna here on Monday to protest against the alleged discriminatory attitude of the Deputy Commissioner in ordering registration of a case against Dr Jaswinder Singh posted at Mini PHC, Aur. The PCMS Association also submitted a memorandum to the Civil Surgeon for onward submission to the Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, demanding cancellation of the case and to take action legal action against the false complainant, who had allegedly misbehaved with the doctor while he was on duty and later leveling false charges against the doctor. The PCMS Association has threatened to intensify stir if its demand was not met.

Deputy Commissioner Gurkirat Kirpal Singh denied the allegation of discriminatory attitude towards the doctor and said the case under Prevention of Corruption Act was registered on the basis of the inquiry report submitted by the ADC as well as the opinion obtained from the DA Legal on the inquiry report. 

Jalandhar, February 16
Former Director General of Police (DGP) Dr. Kiran Bedi today said India and Pakistan should go ahead with bilateral talks despite the recent Pune blasts, for peace initiatives in the region. The former DGP was here at the BSF headquarters during the valedictory function of computer training for BSF persons/wards’ by India Vision Foundation and Vedanta foundation.

Bedi has been running these NGOs to provide computer literacy to the personnel and wards of the BSF. Talking about the recent political controversy over the Indo-Pak bilateral talks, she said, “India must go ahead with the scheduled secretary-level bilateral talks with Pakistan on February 25. The talks between both the countries are important to discuss the steps to be taken for peace in the region”.

Answering a query pertaining to Pune blasts, she stated that the blasts at the German Bakery at Koregoan in Pune could be an attempt by ultras to stall the forthcoming peace dialogues between both the nations.

“It could be a well planned attempt to create hurdles in the bilateral talks”, she added.

Further evading a direct reply to a query whether the rejection of her candidature for the post of Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) recently and for the post of Delhi Police Commissioner earlier, was an indicator of injustice meted out to women, she said, “I don’t believe in digging out history, just in moving ahead,” she said. 

Jalandhar, February 16
After an interval of nearly one-and-a-half-month, one more case has been tested positive for swine flu in Jalandhar. Manjeet Kaur, 46, resident of Maqsudaan has been tested positive for the deadly H1N1 virus today.

While confirming the report, District Health Officer Dr. Roop Lal said the patient was admitted to the civil hospital, Jalandhar on February 14 and was suffering from symptoms similar to the disease.

He said samples of the patient were sent to PGIMER Chandigarh on the same day.

“We have got the test report today only. Owing to the critical condition, the patient has been referred to PGI Chandigaarh”, said Dr. Lal. He also added that two other patients, who were admitted to the hospital with signs and symptoms similar to H1N1, were tested negative.

After detection of this case, the total number of positive cases detected in Jalandhar has increased to 44. So far the deadly virus has claimed 14 lives in the district alone, since its outbreak, said Dr. Lal.