Bathinda, November 9
Launching a swift operation, the Bathinda police recovered the 16-year-old Class XI student of the Police Public School, who was kidnapped this morning, and reunited her with her family members within hours.

It is learnt that Sandeep Kaur, the daughter of a Subedar in Army and a resident of Guru Ki Nagri locality, left her house at about 5.30 am for a coaching centre located at Street number 9 on the Ajit road here. After about two hours, her family members received a call that she had been kidnapped. They rushed to the coaching centre and found her scooter parked outside the centre and books lying scattered there.

They immediately informed the police about the incident. Acting upon the statement of the girl’s kin, police lodged a case at Civil Lines police station and laid a trap.

The girl’s mother again received a call from the kidnappers, who demanded a ransom of Rs 10 lakh and threatened to kill her daughter if the police was informed. The kidnappers told her to keep attending their calls and follow the directions.

Meanwhile, tracing the location of mobile towers, the Bathinda SSP constituted four teams led by a DSP and SHOs.

Arranging the money, the worried family members called them up to ask the meeting place. In reply, the kidnappers asked them to come towards Sangrur and throw the bag on the roadside in between Rampura and Tapa.

Following the direction, the family members escorted by a number of police officials in civil dress in private vehicles moved towards the road and crossing Rampura, received a call from the kidnappers that they had witnessed them moving on the road and asked them to throw the currency bag on the roadside, said the SSP Sukhchain Singh Gill.

The SSP claimed that before the girl’s family members could follow the direction, suspecting that the police had laid a trap, the accused freed the girl at a distance and fled from the spot. The girl was blindfolded and immediately after the accused dropped her on the road, a scooterist passing by witnessed it and informed the police. The police recovered and united the girl with her family members.

“During the preliminary investigation, we have identified the accused. They were two and used a white Zen car to commit the crime. We have laid a trap and it is hoped that they would be nabbed soon,” said the SSP. However, the police are yet to ascertain the motive behind the crime.

When asked about the sequence of the incident, the girl informed that she was about to enter the coaching centre in the morning, when two youths came to her and asked about the reputation of the coaching centre. As soon as she lent an ear to them, they pushed her inside their car and kidnapped her. She claimed that fearing the police trap, the accused left her on the roadside and fled the spot.

However, sources in police informed that acting swiftly, the police chased them and nabbed them some distance away.

Ferozepur, November 9
It was pitch-dark on a few stretches on the Ferozepur-Fazilka road before the sunset. The thick layer of smoke emanating from the paddy fields brought the visibility to nil making vehicular movement difficult and exposing them to accidents.

A similar situation was found in other parts of this border district where a large section of farmers are involved in paddy cultivation including Basmati, a late sowing variety. Till now, there is no improvement in the situation and layers of smoke arising due to the burning of paddy stubble and paddy straw has gripped various parts of the district.

With the authorities concerned failing to take action against the farmers involved in setting their fields on fire to prepare it for sowing of wheat, under the ‘undeclared instructions’ of the SAD-BJP government led by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, known for his pro-farmer stance, the situation in this district has deteriorated.

Black patches of burnt paddy fields in large areas could be seen in every nook and corner of this district where the authorities concerned failed to register any criminal case against any farmer so far. The thick layer of smoke, that reduced visibility, had caused two road accidents in Fazilka belt in the past three days.

“I will deploy SDMs and Tehsildar concerned to check this menace and take action against the guilty,” assured Deputy Commissioner KK Yadav. Interestingly, he gave the same answer when he was asked this about two weeks back. A senior functionary of the agriculture department, while pleading anonymity, pointed out that thousands of acres of paddy field had been set on fire by the farmers to burn stubble and straw in this district alone. The trend had been catching up every year as the state government lacked the political will to take the farmers concerned to task.

The burning of paddy stubble and straw has become a major source of eye ailments and allergies as the number of patients suffering from these has taken a significant jump in the past few weeks as per the reports collected from the state government-run and private clinics.

“There is a jump of about 25 per cent to 30 per cent in the number of those patients, who have been suffering from eye irritation, respiratory disorders, allergies, influenza and chest infections in almost all the hospitals dotting this region, “pointed out Kanwar Jit Singh Kakkar, Civil Surgeon.

Bathinda, November 9
The dengue threat has been looming large over the Bathinda city as after the onset of dengue season about two and a half months ago, the number of cases has risen to 177 till date while the total number of dengue cases in the entire Bathinda district today touched the figure of 200.

It seems that the continuous increase in the number of dengue positive cases in the Bathinda city this season may repeat the figure in 2008 when the dengue count had risen to 305. It is recalled that during 2008, a total of 359 cases had been reported from the entire Bathinda district while in 2009, only five dengue positive cases had been reported from the entire Bathinda district.

At the sentinel surveillance hospital (SSH), situated at the civil hospital here, ten persons from Bathinda city and one person from Raman Mandi of the district today tested positive during the Mac Elisa test (confirmatory test) for dengue while district health authorities here today also received information about eight dengue positive cases (Bathinda city) from the DMC Hospital, Ludhiana and one dengue positive case (Bathinda city) from Apollo Hospital, Ludhiana. Thus, in a day, 19 dengue positive cases were added to yesterday’s 158 cases of Bathinda city.

The ten persons who tested positive today at the SSH here for dengue belong to Lal Singh Basti, Jujhar Singh Nagar, Hazi Rattan area, Ajit Road, Balraj Nagar and Bibi Wala road. This shows that the menace of dengue is still haunting various localities of the city.

Meanwhile, 10 suspected dengue patients have been undergoing treatment at the Civil Hospital here. Besides, 16 others have been getting treatment for fever in the hospital here. The suspected cases have been tested positive for dengue during rapid test (preliminary test) while the fever cases tested negative during the test.

Besides 177 dengue positive cases in Bathinda city alone, 23 dengue positive cases have been reported from other blocks of the district— Talwandi Sabo (13 cases), Ballianwali (3), Bhagta (2), Goniana (2), Sangat (2) and Nathana (1).

District Malaria Officer Dr Malkiat Singh Gill said this evening that they were educating the people to protect themselves from the increasing threat of dengue by telling them not to accumulate clean water in the utensils, waste tyres and around their houses etc. He said they were also spraying medicine to kill the dengue mosquitoes in the areas from where they got reports about the presence of dengue larva or a dengue victim.

Ferozepur, November 9
It was an ‘illegal and immoral’ pledge taken by Paramjit Kaur, which led to the murder of her daughter Pooja and her paramour Rakesh in village Kotwal of this district on Monday as both these teenagers became victims of honour killing.

During the investigation being carried out by the police authorities, it has come to light that Paramjit Kaur had taken a pledge that she would kill both Pooja and Rakesh together on the same day. The two, hailing from a Scheduled Caste community, had eloped from their village Nurpur Sethan about one and a half months ago.

Paramjit Kaur made relentless efforts and managed to persuade both Pooja and Rakesh to come back home promising to marry them off. However, when Pooja and Rakesh returned to their village, Pooja was immediately sent to village Kotwal where her cousin had got married to a daily wager Billa so that she could be separated from her paramour.

Rakesh, who was known to Billa, was called to village Kotwal on the pretext that he would be allowed to meet Pooja. When Rakesh reached the outskirts of village Kotwal from his village Nurpur Sethan in the evening, he was taken to his house by Billa and Gurbhej alias Bheja (a friend of Billa), on the motorcycle.

After some time, Bheja went to village Nurpur Sethan and brought Paramjit Kaur to village Kotwal.  However, Paramjit was made to sit at a particular place in a field dotted with fodder crop with the motive that Rakesh would be brought to the same place for murdering him.

After some time, when the movement of people in the fields and village Kotwal became sparse, Billa and Bheja brought Rakesh to that spot on the pretext that they should go for a stroll. When Rakesh reached that spot, he was attacked with a sharp-edged weapon by Billa, Bheja and Paramjit Kaur and murdered then and there.

After murdering Rakesh, Billa was asked to bring Pooja to that spot by Paramjit Kaur.  When Pooja was brought to that spot, she was also attacked and killed on the spot. After killing both these teenagers, the accused left the place.

Harjit Singh Pannu, SP (D), when contacted, said a case in this connection had been registered against Billa, Bheja and Paramjit Kaur under sections 302 and 34 of the IPC. Police parties had been dispatched to nab the accused.

Bathinda, November 9
More than 16 persons sustained inuries after a canter they were travelling in overturned near Gehari Buttar village on the Bathinda-Dabwali road this evening.

According to information available, the canter carrying the passengers from Bathinda and Jaitu was on its way towards Sirsa where the occupants had arrived to attend a bhog ceremony.

However, on reaching near Gehari Buttar village, a tyre of the truck burst overturning the vehicle.

On receiving the information about the accident, volunteers of the Sahara Jan Seva reached the spot and rushed the injured to the Civil Hospital, Bathinda.

The doctors informed that most of the injured were out of danger.

Jaid (Bathinda), November 9
Reacting over the UPA-led union government’s elation over the US president Barack Obama’s India visit, the Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal today termed it as mere “drama” on the part of UPA leaders to hush up the recently exposed scandals in the Commonwealth Games, allotment of the Adarsh Housing apartments and the 2G spectrum allotment.

Harsimrat, equipped with a battery of over two dozen officials from the Bathinda district, was here on a Sangat Darshan spree. During the tour, she met the villagers, redressed their grievances and disbursed cheques for development works.

Speaking to The Tribune, she lashed out at the union government leaders saying Obama’s visit would hardly bring anything good for India. Instead, it was purely aimed at the growth of financial as well as human resources in America.

“The leaders are expressing their happiness before the media just with the hope that it would somehow help in covering up their real face, which was recently exposed with the unearthing of a number of major scams,” she said.

About the recent statement of former CM Captain Amarinder Singh in which he criticised her husband Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal saying he did not have the image to become a CM, an irate Harsimrat said, “Look, a man whose feet is being constantly pulled by his own partymen and who always remains busy with a foreigner lady friend, is now talking about the image of those who dedicate their whole life to public service.”

Reacting to Amarinder’s words regarding the tussle between the senior and junior Badal for projection as CM, she said, “Whosoever it be but it is for sure that the next CM would also be from the Badal family, so he must not be bothered about it.”

Will the ousted Manpreet Singh Badal, who claims to have played a pivotal role in Harsimrat’s win from Bathinda, can now damage the party? The question irked her. Responding to it, Harsimrat said, “I am thankful to all the voters and supporters but it is God’s assigned duty, to which one who has been defiant can never inflict any loss.”

During her visit to all the villages, one problem—scarcity of canal water—kept constantly cropping up. When asked, she passed on the buck to the Centre saying it did not release funds on time and the problem was aggravating because of it. “Still, we are doing our best to help people overcome this problem,” she said.

About the loan waiver issue, which started as an economic issue but snowballed into a major political one for the state, the MP said, “When the union government does not release Rs 3,500 crore for food security mission, how can one expect it would offer to waive Rs 35,000 crore?”

Barnala, November 9
A day after the condition of a Dalit widow turned critical after she underwent abortion to get rid of an illegal baby at the hands of a quack in village Sadhowaal here, police today registered a case against the main accused, his two assistants and the quack in question. The condition of the victim reportedly continues to be serious at a Patiala hospital where she was referred from the Civil Hospital, Barnala by doctors for advanced treatment.

Police said the Bhadaur police station, following the complaint by Sukwinder Kaur aka Bholi, mother of the victim, today registered a case under various sections of the IPC against the main accused, farmer Taheel Singh, in whose house she used to work. Police also booked his two helpers in the crime Sukwinder Kaur aka Sukhi, Sukhi’s father-in-law Zaildar Singh and the quack couple Rana Singh and Kulwinder Kaur of Chak Bhaika village. Even as the police registered a case, it is yet to arrest the accused who continue to be at large.

Brother of the victim, Kuldeep had alleged that about a week ago, Taheel Singh just to hide his misdoings, got his sister aborted through a quack couple at village Chak Baika.

SSP Barnala, Gurpreet Singh Toor had ordered an inquiry by SP (D) Jagtar Singh Kainth.

Fazilka, November 9
The market committee authorities have invoked action against the inspector, Punsup, Mandi Roranwali sub-centre under the Fazilka Market Committee, of levy demurrage at the rate of Rs 0.25 per bag, as its failed to lift purchased Basmati quality of paddy (447 bags) on time.

The notice depicts as to why demurrage may not be imposed on the department in lieu of not lifting the purchased paddy within stipulated period.

Besides, the MC authorities have also issued notices to five leading private purchaser to lift the purchased Basmati quality of paddy within the stipulated period of 72 hours after the purchase otherwise an action would be taken against them under the Punjab Market Committee bylaw 11 (7).

Following publishing of news in The Tribune on Monday regarding suspension of auction in the grain market (Fazilka), the administration has swung into action.

Market Committee secretary Vijay Madaan disclosed that about 1,20,000 bags have been lifted within two days. About 80000 bags were lifted on Monday and another about 40000 bags were lifted till today evening to ease out the glut.

With this, the arrival has picked up today and about 23000 quintals of arrival have been recorded in Fazilka grain market and its purchase centre today till evening.

The farmers have been getting remunerative price ranging from Rs 2350 to 2400 per quintal of Basmati quality of paddy. As per the information, most of the farmers have given up the idea of stocking paddy as they have been getting competitive price of Basmati paddy in the market.

Hence, they have been bringing their produce to the market regularly.

Fazilka, November 9
As many as 850 residents of about 26 villages located in the close vicinity of the Indo-Pak border in this sector were examined by a group of doctors drawn from Army organisations and other wings of the state government from Punjab and Rajasthan at a medical and dental check-up camp organised at village Asafwala, located a few kilometres from here.

The place for organising this day-long camp was chosen by the Army authorities with a special purpose as a war memorial has been erected here by the residents of Fazilka to pay tributes to those jawans and other ranks of four Jat regiment of Army, who laid down their lives while defending the frontiers of the country in the 1971 Indo-Pak war. The people treat this memorial as not less than a religious place.

As per a press note issued by the Army authorities, the other aim for organising the camp was to maintain and strengthen the bonds with the local population as the residents of Fazilka and its neighboring areas share a special relationship with the Army.

At the camp, the patients were given medicines free of cost. The camp was well-attended by the Army officials including General Officer Commanding of the Army, who interacted with the ex-servicemen, villagers, heads of village panchayats of the area and the members of Asafwala War Memorial committee. A community kitchen was also organised on the occasion.

Ferozepur, November 9
To enhance the skills of elected representatives of village Panchayat to handle its day-to-day affairs besides catering to the other needs, a gram sabha was organised at village Salem Shah of this district by the Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration, Punjab (MGSIPAP).

Gyan Singh, Regional Project Coordinator, in a press note issued here, said the gram sabha was organised under the chairmanship of Raj Rani, panchayat member of village Panchayat. The issues related to provision of funds for repair of houses of those living under poverty line, pensions and street lighting of village through solar light system besides provision of sports equipment for the youth of and a dispensary for the village, he added. — TNS

Ferozepur, November 9
The district legal services authority on Tuesday organised a seminar on the enforcement of Legal Service Authority Act 1987 under the chairmanship of Jaspal Singh, district and sessions judge-cum-chairman, District Legal Services Authority, Ferozepur. In this seminar, people from various walks of life were made aware of their right to get free legal aid.

The speakers included MS Randhawa, HK Randhawa, Nirmal Singh, JS Bhinder, Jatinder Kaur, all additional district and sessions judges, Lachman Singh Civil Judge (Sr. Division), Karnail Singh CJM, KK Bansal Additional Civil Judge (Sr. Division), Rupinder Singh, Civil Judge (Jr. Division). On the occasion, Surjit Singh, SP Headquarters, GS Pannu SDM, Navneet Kumar Gupta, ADA Legal Services and Subhash Sharma, District Attorney, were also present. KD Sayal, president, District Bar Association and Monish Khera, secretary, Bar Association, also sopke. — OC

Sriganganagar, November 9
A girl, who had been deserted by her parents after birth and was adopted by the Dera Sacha Sauda, has won a gold medal in shooting. Dera spokesman Lakhjit Singh informed this correspondent at village Gurusar Modian that Guransh Insan, a student of Shah Satnam Ji Girls Senior Secondary School, along with Kajal and Amninder has won a gold medal in the All India School Shooting championship that was recently held at Faridabad. The team excelled in pistol, rifle junior and pistol sub-junior competitions.

In the pistol junior events, Sukhdeep, Amandeep and Garima of the school shot gold besides winning bronze medal in pistol sub-junior event. Sukhjit has won bronze in individual category in the junior pistol competition, he added.