Mansa/Bathinda, June 1
With the recovery of 25 stolen vehicles, the Bathinda and Mansa police today claimed to have busted two inter-state gangs of vehicle lifters, who used to sell them further with forged documents. Launching multi-pronged operations, police arrested eight persons (two from Bathinda and six from Mansa), while several others were still absconding.

According to information collected, the gangs had vast network in Punjab, Haryana and neighbouring states. They had been facing many criminal cases under different police stations.

Though police officials differ, the development is being seen as a sequence to the arrest of the officiating DTO and other officials of the district transport office, Mansa, for their alleged involvement in a major scam related to issuing of fake documents like registration certificates (RCs) and driving licences (DLs). They were arrested just four days back on May 27.

It is learnt that the gang busted by the Mansa police used to prepare fake documents and apply for the ownership-transfer with the transport authorities, where some officials used to favour them in lieu of some “extra fee”.

The transport officials used to issue letters to invite objections from the office, whose number was mentioned on the fake RCs. As the racket was running in the connivance of all, the objection letters hardly reached the offices concerned and the ownership of the vehicles were transferred after a formal gap of fortnight, assuming it to be a case of no objection, sources informed.

Disclosing another modus operandi, cops said the accused used to prepare fake Fard (revenue documents related to ownership of land) and submitting it to the showrooms, managed to get vehicles on loan. After making fake RCs, they used to sell the vehicles to gullible people.

SSP Mansa HS Mann said, “We are probing the case in detail and those who bought the vehicles from the accused, if found guilty of having knowledge about the stolen vehicles, would also be dealt with as per law.”

Though the senior officials did not disclose any political linkage of the accused, sources in the police informed that one of the accused, Jagtar Singh of Gobindpura in Bareta (Mansa), had claimed to be a BJP leader.

A major scoop was reported by the Boha police (Mansa), which recovered 12 vehicles— three tractors, two cars, five tempos, a motorcycle and a Bolero— on Monday and held three persons.

The SHO concerned Harvinder Singh said almost every vehicle was new and the accused had been preparing to sell them with fake documents. Two members of the gang were arrested by the Joga police (Mansa), from whom a car and a tractor were recovered. One of the accused Charanjit Singh of Rama Mandi (Bathinda) was said to be an expert in preparing fake documents as he had all related documents and stamps.

About the gang busted in Bathinda, SSP Sukhchain Singh Gill said police had received information that a gang of eight persons had been very active in vehicle lifting. Acting upon the tip-off, the Bathinda police nabbed Major Singh of Kotkapura (Faridkot) and Sukhwinder Singh of Jagraon (Ludhiana) with two cars, which were stolen from Ludhian and Fazilka.

Among other methods, they would hire taxis and would later offer juice laced with sedatives to the driver. After the driver would feel drowsy, they would dump him and flee with the vehicle.

During interrogation, the accused named six other accomplices and police traced that they were already booked in 23 criminal cases at different police stations and some of them were declared proclaimed offenders.

Bathinda, June 1
Respite from heat wave conditions is likely for the residents of Bathinda and nearby places as weathermen today predicted chances of rain and thundershowers with possibility of considerable dip in temperature in the next two to three days.

The region, however, continued to witness searing heat on Tuesday as the north-bound mercury once again recorded 44 degrees Celsius, around 1.2 degrees high than Monday, as per the Agro-met advisory service, PAU regional station, Bathinda. The day’s low was 26.6 degree Celsius, nearly four degrees high than yesterday.

Meanwhile, ‘pleasant’ news emanated today from the weather room at IMD, Chandigarh for Bathinda. Weathermen said that the sky will remain mainly clear with possibility of development of cloudy/rain/ thundershowers at isolated places in next two to three days. Fall in day temperature is expected.

The daily maximum and minimum temperature are expected to range between 28 degrees Celsius and 42 degrees and 20 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees, respectively.

The mean relative humidity is likely to vary between 93 and 24 per cent during these days and wind speed is likely to range between 11-15 kmph. 

As far as weather’s mood during the last few days is concerned, no rainfall was recorded at the Agro met, observatory here.

The maximum temperature during the week here varied between 37 degrees Celsius and 42.8 degrees, while the minimum temperature ranged from 22.8 degrees Celsius to 29.6 degrees.

The mean relative humidity varied between 42 and 21 per cent. The wind speed was nine kmph. 

Bathinda, June 1
Replicating the pattern of Chandigarh—the Bathinda Development Authority (BDA) is now going to install city guide maps and localities layout plans in this developing city.

Besides, the BDA is all set to launch a green drive under which about 25000 trees and more than 4000 flowering plants will be planted with the aim of covering every nook and corner of the city.

Though the state functionaries gave nod to the project on Monday evening, sources said officials of the BDA had already completed the groundwork and were positive of getting approval. Immediate after, the authorities today started the work at a rapid pace.

According to information collected, the BDA would spend a sum of Rs 76 lakh for the signage project and Rs 40 lakh for the plantation drive.

The signage project has been divided into two parts—the areas under the jurisdiction of the BDA and the area with the Bathinda Municipal Corporation (BMC).

If one goes through the official plan, all entry points of the city would have city maps to guide the visitors with the best possible details about the location of markets, localities and the roads leading to them.

Such guide maps would be installed at all important public places within the city also. Further, the city will have locality-wise house numbering maps, installed at the entrance of the localities. Making it easy to understand, all boards will show its own location by pointing “You are here”.

In the second project—green drive—the BDA has tied up with the divisional forest office. As per the settlement, the DFO has agreed to give about 25000 tree saplings to the BDA without charging anything. Further, to get them planted at no cost, the BDA is making efforts to involve the NGOs.

Besides, the BDA will plant 4100 flowering plants in the city. Of these, 2000 are for the localities under the jurisdiction of the BDA and 2100 for the areas under the BMC. To provide security to the plants, they would be shielded with tree guards.

According to plans, the plantation drive would be started with the onset of the rainy season.

Confirming the facts, the chief administrator, BDA, Ravi Bhagat said, “We are hopeful that the whole work will be completed within three months.”

Bathinda, June 1“
Good health without any investment” is the motto of local Clapping and Laughing Club. A large number of members of the club, which was reportedly formed by two persons, Master Sat Pal and Chaudhary Partap Singh in 2001, gather daily in the morning at Rose Garden here and do exercises related to clapping, laughing, ears and eyes.

The members clap for 15 minutes and do ears and eyes’ exercises for half minute each. Besides, they laugh loudly for 21 times. The entire process is completed in 17 and a half minutes. After that, many of those present either do yoga or go for a brisk walk.

During a visit to the Rose Garden here today morning, nearly 100 persons, including women, were seen busy clapping. Later, they started laughing loudly.

The members of the club said that after joining the club they had been feeling relaxed and stress-free.

President of the club Chaudhary Partap Singh claimed that initially, only Master Sat Pal and he dreamed to set up the club, but gradually the number of members increased. At present, the club had about 250 members.

Chaudhary says before clapping, members apply mustard oil or coconut oil on their hands. These exercises kept them active and happy for the entire day. He said the clapping exercise should not be done barefooted. Chaudhary urged people to do laughing and clapping exercises to remain healthy. He invited them to join the club for a week and continue only if they benefitted from the same on health front.

Moga, June 1
The Vigilance Bureau today nabbed a kanungo for accepting a bribe of Rs 10,000 from a farmer for the demarcation and possession of a piece of land in Kishanpura Kalan village of the Moga district.

VB Deputy Superintendent of Police Amarjit Singh Matwani, while confirming this, said that the kanungo, Surinder Kumar, had demanded Rs 15,000 from Sukhwinder Singh, a resident of this village for getting his land cleared from the revenue department. He was arrested red-handed.

A criminal case has been registered against him at the Ferozepur vigilance office. He will be produced before a local court on Wednesday. — TNS

Abohar, June 1
With just two days left for winding up the signature campaign against price rise, the Balluana rural unit of the BJP has intensified the campaign.

The unit president Kulbhushan Doodi on Tuesday convened a workers’ meeting at village Choohriwala Dhanna. It was presided over by Parkash Chander Malhetia, former chairman of the Market Committee and son of former cabinet minister Chaudhary Satya Dev.

Sarpanch Sunil Malhetia and general secretary Bihari Lal asked workers to get the memorandum signed by maximum number of villagers. — OC

Moga, June 1
Spiritual leader-turned environmentalist Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal has urged the people living in the urban townships of the state to ride bicycles within the city areas to protect the environment.

He along with district magistrate Satwant Singh Johal and other officials of the civil administration carried out a cycle rally at Moga on Tuesday to promote more environment-friendly modes of transport.

On the occasion, Seechewal said, “Riding a bicycle is a great way to contribute to the preservation of our eco-system and environment. If we all contribute, it would make a substantial impact.”

The DM Satwant Singh Johal while pledging to go to his office on cycle once every week said, “If we just dedicate a day to bicycles as a method of transportation, it can in a small way, make a big difference to save the environment.”

Notably, many officials of the district administration including the DM and SDM went to their offices on bicycle, this morning. 

Ferozepur, June 1
Two smugglers, identified as Chand Singh and Ranjit Singh, both residents of this district, were arrested by the police for their alleged involvement in smuggling of narcotics, today.

Sources said Chand Singh had been bringing opium from Rajasthan and selling it in the Jalalabad area of this district. Ranjit Singh had been getting bulk quantity of poppy husk at his doorstep from the Rajasthan-based smugglers.

Two separate cases had been registered against both the accused under the NDPS Act. 

Zira (Ferozepur), June 1
‘Zehar Da Dariya,’ a novel, penned by a local medical practitioner Satish Thukral Soni was released here today at a function organised jointly by Lekh Likhari Sabha, Makhu and Makhu Sabyacharak Manch.

Jasdev Singh Jassowal, president, Professor Mohan Singh Yadgar Foundation, presided over the function. Noted Punjabi lyricist Amardeep Gill, Punjabi columnist Ninder Ghugianavi and noted Punjabi scholar Brahm Jagdish were also present on the occasion. — TNS