Nawanshahr, March 6
Beating a policeman at Chandigarh Chowk here in broad daylight today by a youth, Harkamaldeep Singh of Batala in Gurdaspur district, allegedly irritated over the “police interference” while he was spending moments with his “fiancee” in a car near a canal at nearby Bheen village in the district, has cost him dear as the police here has registered a case against him under sections 307, 353, 279, 186 and 177 of the IPC on the basis of the complaint lodged by the policeman, Paramjit Singh.

However, Harkamaldeep Singh has accused the cop of misbehaving and manhandling him without conducting any inquiry. He said he had acted in reaction to the manhandling by the policeman.

Choas prevailed at Chandigarh Chowk here for about half an hour as the youth who was allegedly trying to flee in his car, rammed the car into the divider when the policemen on patrol duty were following the car to get hold of him.

When the car stopped, the policemen reached near the car and a scuffle between the youth and the policeman was witnessed by the passersby. Both policeman and the youth were levelling allegations on each other.

The SP (HQ), Jagjit Singh Gill , DSP Satpal Singh Bhangu, SHO (City) Raj Kumar along with the police party immediately reached the site. The youth and his “fiancee”, who claimed to be a resident of Kharar in Mohali district, were brought to the city police station, where the senior police officials listened to both the parties.

While the cops on duty said while they were on patrol duty, they got information about a suspected car near the canal at Bheen village.

When they tried to inquire about the whereabouts of the youth and the girl sitting in the car, the youth started the car and fled away. They followed the car and when they tried to stop the car near Chandigarh Chowk by creating obstruction with their motorcycle, the youth in a bid to flee from the scene rammed the car into the divider and when he was approached, he manhandled the cops on duty.

On the other hand, Harkamaldeep Singh, while accusing the cops of misbehaving with him, said he came from the canal as he did not want to indulge in any altercation with the cops. But, when he manhandled him at Chandigarh Chowk, then he reacted. His “fiancee” also said the cops on duty did not give a proper hearing to them, but misbehaved. However, the police has registered a case against the youth and started investigation.

Nawanshahr, March 6
Darshan Kaur, District Education Officer, has placed two school teachers - Desh Raj (Bazidpur) and Sukhwinder Singh (Burj Tehal Dass) under suspension for allegedly showing dereliction in examination duty here on Saturday.

Giving details, the DEO said both the teachers had been put on examination duty as Deputy Superintendent and Supervisor at the examination centre set up at Goverment Senior Secondary School, Aur. When she conducted a surprise check at the centre, she found both of them showing dereliction in duty. As per the directions of the Director General School Education (DGSE), Krishan Kumar, both the errant teachers have been placed under suspension, she added. 

Jalandhar, March 6
It was a bhangra with a difference as eight patients, who had undergone hip and knee replacements, danced to the tunes of Punjabi songs to express their happiness after advance treatment.

Dressed in traditional attires, the performers, a majority of them were in their mid 50s and 60s, were having words of praise for the latest advancements in the medical sciences.

The Deputy Commissioner, Ajit Singh Pannu, who was the chief guest at the function, could not control himself and shook legs with the participants. The programme “Friends of Fortis” was organised by Mohali-based multi-speciality Fortis hospital at a city hotel. Talking to mediapersons, Dr Manuj Wadhwa, Additional Director, Orthopaedics and Joint Replacement Surgery, of the hospital, said patients undergoing knee replacement surgery could lead a healthy life and perform their daily ardas, namaz, pooja, etc, while sitting crossed legs or squatting and could even perform bhangra and giddha but with extra care.

He said obesity, sedentary lifestyle had made Punjabis vulnerable to arthritis. Over five lakh Punjabis had been suffering from arthritis. Shedding extra weight might relieve arthritis pain, advised Dr Wadhwa. Col H.S. Chahal, hospital Director, said people above 50 years of age were more vulnerable to knee arthritis than youngsters. Nowadays, a number of youngsters were too exhibiting the symptoms. Genetics, age, weight, previous injury, occupational hazards, certain high-level sports and illness or infection were the factors that could cause arthritis, he claimed.