J A L A N D H A R    E D I T I O N

Forest devp corp goes in for green cover expansion
Gurdaspur, April 24
Rajinder Bitta, vice-chairman of the Punjab Forest Development Corporation, expressed concern over the dwindling area under forests and added that the corporation was acquiring land so that more trees could be planted in an attempt to save the environment.

Woman kills husband to keep illicit relation alive
Tarn Taran, April 24
The police claimed to have solved a blind murder case of Shamsher Singh (40) with the arrest of his wife, her paramour and another person. The police recovered the body near Paringri village, 30 kms from here, three days ago.

Snatchers’ attack leaves cop injured
Amritsar, April 24
Satnam Singh, a head constable, was attacked and injured by two snatchers in the busy Pragdas Chowk area in the walled city here today after the cop stoped them during a naka.

Police ups vigil in mandis
Nakodar, April 24
Following the instructions of the SSP, the police has increased vigil in the mandis to prevent any looting incident. Bimal Kant, SHO Mehtpur police station, said they have received strict instructions from the SSP to increase vigil in the local mandis.

Forest devp corp goes in for green cover expansion
Tribune News Service

Tackling Depletion Worries The Punjab Forest Development Corporation acquires 570 acres of land on which thousands of trees will be planted Plans are also afoot to acquire 2,000 acres of more land and tenders have already been floated for this purpose

Gurdaspur, April 24
Rajinder Bitta, vice-chairman of the Punjab Forest Development Corporation, expressed concern over the dwindling area under forests and added that the corporation was acquiring land so that more trees could be planted in an attempt to save the environment.

Addressing a press conference, Bitta said the corporation had acquired 570 acres in the entire state on which thousands of trees will be planted. Plans are also afoot to acquire 2,000 acres of more land and tenders have already been floated for this purpose.

Bitta said the corporation was in touch with the local police to retrieve land of the State Forest Department which was in the illegal possession of some notorious elements.

He added, “Trees are one of the most important aspects of the planet we live in and they are vitally important to the environment, animals and of course for humans. They are important for the climate of the Earth, they act as filters of carbon dioxide, they are habitats and shelters to millions of species, and they are also important for their aesthetic appeal. However, the trees on our planet are being depleted at a very fast rate. According to some estimates, more than 50 per cent of the tree cover has disappeared due to human activity.”

The corporation was in the process of finalising plans to ensure that the forest cover in Punjab was not depleted further.

“When forest areas are cleared, it results in exposing the soil to the sun, making it very dry and eventually, infertile, due to volatile nutrients such as nitrogen being lost. In addition, when there is rainfall, it washes away the rest of the nutrients, which flow with the rainwater into waterways. Merely replanting trees may not help in solving the problems caused by deforestation, for by the time the trees mature, the soil will be totally devoid of essential nutrients. Ultimately, cultivation in the state will also become impossible, resulting in the land becoming useless. Large tracts of land will be rendered permanently impoverished due to soil erosion,” added Bitta.

Woman kills husband to keep illicit relation alive
Gurbaxpuri

Tarn Taran, April 24
The police claimed to have solved a blind murder case of Shamsher Singh (40) with the arrest of his wife, her paramour and another person. The police recovered the body near Paringri village, 30 kms from here, three days ago.

Briefing the press here today, SSP Preet Paul Singh Virk said the accused ---deceased’s wife Ninder Kaur, her paramour Harpreet Singh of Booh village and Harpreet’s friend Kuldeep Singh --- admitted to have killed Shamsher Singh. After committing the crime, they threw the body on the roadside of Paringari village near Patti town.

The SSP said Shamsher Singh paid with his life as he objected to four-year long illicit relationship between Ninder Kaur and Harpreet Singh.

Ninder, in connivance with her paramour, gave some poison-laced food to Shamsher following which he lost consciousness. The accused then strangled him.

A case under Section 302 of the IPC has already been registered at Patti police station, said the SSP.

The accused were sent to 2-day police remand after being produced in the judicial court in Patti. 

Snatchers’ attack leaves cop injured
Tribune News Service

Amritsar, April 24
Satnam Singh, a head constable, was attacked and injured by two snatchers in the busy Pragdas Chowk area in the walled city here today after the cop stoped them during a naka.

The snatchers, identified as Rohit Kumar and Rahul, both residents of Jhabal road, attacked Satnam with a sharp-edged weapon. They fled the spot leaving their motorcycle behind after injuring the cop.

Senior police officials rushed to the spot after receiving information and took the injured policeman to a hospital.

Confirming the incident, ADCP Sat Pal Joshi said the accused managed to escape due to heavy rush and busy road in the area. He said a case has been registered at C-division police station in this regard.

According to information Rahul was already wanted in many snatching cases registered with the Majitha Road police.

Interestingly, brother of Rahul went to Gate Hakima police station for reporting a case of motorcycle theft. However, the police team nabbed him for filing a false complaint. “The role of Vishal, brother of Rahul is yet to be ascertained,” said the official adding that manhunt has been launched to arrest the culprits.

Police ups vigil in mandis
Our Correspondent

Nakodar, April 24
Following the instructions of the SSP, the police has increased vigil in the mandis to prevent any looting incident. Bimal Kant, SHO Mehtpur police station, said they have received strict instructions from the SSP to increase vigil in the local mandis.

The police initiated the move keeping in mind the big cash transactions between farmers and procurement agencies.

He said police teams would regularly visit mandis for security checks. One of the arhtiyas from Shahkot also confirmed this development.