Jalandhar, October 11
One person was buried alive, while two others sustained serious injuries when the boundary wall of a plot, which they were excavating with the help of an earthmover JCB, came crumbling down on them at the Raj Nagar locality in Basti Bawa Khel on the Jalandhar-Kapurthala road, this evening.

The victims were excavating almost 15 feet deep to make space for the basement of a proposed hospital building when the tragedy occurred, according to eyewitnesses.

The deceased has been identified Balwinder Singh, a resident of Kaki village, near here. Ravi Pal and Yesh Pal, the driver and owner of the JCB, respectively, also sustained injuries.

The police have booked the plot owner and the JCB driver for their negligence that claimed a life.

The Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Ravinder Pal Singh revealed the plot is owned by Dr Naresh Choda, a resident of Gujral Nagar, Jalandhar, who had given a contract to Yesh Pal, a resident of Firoza village, for digging the basement of the building.

The boundary wall and concrete pillars came crashing down on Balwinder Singh, a labourer, and the JCB. The labourer was buried alive do death while the machine also got damaged. The driver Ravi Pal also sustained injuries in the mishap, eyewitnesses recalled.

Hearing the loud thud of the wall collapse, other workers raised a hue and cry and, subsequently, informed the plot owner. They also called the police.

The people of the surrounding area gathered at the spot and helped the police in rescuing Balwinder Singh from under the rubble. Efforts to extricate the injured proved an-hour-long futile exercise as the victim could not be saved, recalled Roshan Lal, an onlooker.

The ACP said that the accident was an outcome of the negligence on the part of the plot owner and the driver as they deployed the machine right in the roots of the brick-wall and the concrete pillars without taking any precautionary measures.

Meanwhile, the police have booked Dr. Choda and Ravi Pal and a case under Sections 304-A has been registered against them at Basti Bawa Khel Police station. No formal arrest has been made in this regard so far. The body has been sent to the local Civil Hospital morgue. 

Jalandhar, October 11
A minor scuffle between two neighbours of Birring village near here claimed one life on Monday midnight. The exact cause of the murder could not be ascertained as yet. The brawl between Bhagwan Singh (65), a retired employee from Food Corporation of India (FCI), and his next-door neighbours Ram Lubhaya, a plumber with Military Engineering Services (MES) and his family members, occurred in the village at about 12.30 am.

The duo - Bhagwan Singh and Ram Lubhaya- had been to a marriage party in Jalandhar cantonment where they entered into a heated argument.

The Station House Officer, Rama Mandi, Barjinder Singh revealed that both of them had shared a drink in the party. Thereafter, they returned home in an Indica car, owned by Bhagwan Singh. Following the argument, they again entered into a scuffle outside their houses.

Hearing a noise in the street, Ram Lubhaya’s wife and two sons, Vicky and Deepa, came out and allegedly assaulted Bhagwan Singh mercilessly. They even smashed the windowpanes of his car, according to the SHO.

After the brawl, Bhagwan Singh narrated the episode to his nephew Jaswant Rai who reached the house of the assailants and inquired about the reason for the clash. The assailants, however, turned him back, saying that they would talk over it next morning, Jaswant Rai complained to the police.

He said that the seriously injured Bhagwan Singh went to sleep but did not wake up in the morning. “When he did not get up this morning I went to his house and found him dead on the bed,” recalled Jaswant Rai.

After his wife’s death, Bhagwan Singh was living alone in the house. His only daughter is settled in Paris, the SHO added.

The body was handed over to Jaswant Rai after a postmortem examination at local Civil Hospital. The car of the deceased has also been impounded. The police have arrested Ram Lubhaya and rounded up his wife Jogindro Devi. Their sons, Vicky and Deepa, who are running a photography studio in Kot Kalan village-are still absconding.

A case of murder under Section 302 of the IPC has been registered against the four at the Rama Mandi police station. The police have launched a hunt to nab the absconders. The police is also working on various other theories behind the murder. 

Jalandhar, October 11
The recent rounds of transfers has resulted in a change of guard in almost all departments.

Both the ADCs, DTO and SDM-II have been transferred. The office of Additional Chief Administrator, PUDA, has got a regular commander after almost three years. The Executive Officer of the Jalandhar Improvement Trust was also changed recently.

There have been orders of transfer of both the ADCs. While ADC (G) Gurpreet Singh Khera left the charge yesterday to move onto his new posting at Moga, there still has been no replacement for ADC (D) Sarojini Gautam Sharda. She, however, has flown to the USA to be with her son till October 31. “I had applied for the leave almost 15 days ahead of my transfer. I will resume office on November 6,” she said. The new ADC (G), Parneet Singh, is yet to join the office.

Babita Kler, who earlier held the charge of the DTO, Jalandhar, as well as that of SDM-II, has left offices. Additional DTO Kehar Singh has got the officiating charge as DTO. Rajiv Prashar is the incumbent for the post of SDM-II.

Prior to Babita, the charge of SDM-II had been with Anupam Kler. It is almost after a year that someone from outside the family of Kartarpur MLA Avinash Chander has got the posting to become Electoral Returning Officer of his area. While Anupam is his sister, Babita is his sister-in-law.

With SK Singla taking over as ACA, PUDA, it is after November, 2008, that there has been a regular officer on the post. Prior to joining here, Singla has had a short stint as Commissioner of the Phagwara Municipal Corporation, the status of which now stands legally challenged.

The post of Chief Administrator, Jalandhar Development Authority, too got filled up in August this year, as IAS officer Parveen Kumar returned to the office after nearly eight months. The post had remained vacant all this while.

Municipal Corporation Commissioner BS Dhaliwal too had replaced Viney Bublani on July 28 during the last round of transfers prior to the imposition of the election code of conduct due to the SGPC polls. Likewise, the charge of Executive Engineer of the Punjab Pollution Control Board too has got passed on from Harbir Singh to Manohar Lal Chauhan.

The post of Executive Officer of the Jalandhar Improvement Trust, which was earlier with Avtar Singh Azad, has now gone to Jatinder Singh, who had served here a few months back. Both the officers seem to have been playing musical chairs with one another for more than a year now as they have been coming and leaving space for the other after every three-four months. Both have even shared the office at one point of time.

Jalandhar, October 11
The Apeejay College of Fine Arts has bagged first position in the Zonal Youth Festival (Zone-C) of Guru Nanak Dev (GND) University, Amritsar, for the 12th time in a row. The youth festival was held from October 7 to 10.

It was owing to the excellent performance of the students that the college secured first position in 20 events, stood second in six and third in four events.

As soon as the victorious Apeejay team reached the college campus late last night, the students and faculty were given a warm welcome, while celebrations continued till late in the night.

Talking to The Tribune, Principal of the college, Dr Sucharita Sharma, said she along with the students received the trophy at GND University, Amritsar. “The last phase of competitions, including group dances and giddha, was held yesterday,” she added.

After this win, the students would now prepare for the upcoming inter-zonal youth festival, which would also be held at GND University, Amritsar, from October 28 onwards. “Our students had started preparing for the youth festival soon after the summer vacations. In fact, we prefer to take those students who are talented in their event, which is how our students have been winning laurels during all these years,” she said.

Amritsar, October 11
The teams of Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar, lifted the Overall Championship Trophy of 'C' zone in the Zonal Youth Festival of Jalandhar District Colleges affiliated to the Guru Nanak Dev University.

The Zonal Youth Festival concluded at the Dashmesh Auditorium of the university here this evening. Similarly, the Hans Raj Mahila Maha Vidayala, Jalandhar, remained runners-up and the DAV College, Jalandhar, stood third. D Mrs Saravjit Kaur Brar, the Lady Vice Chancellor presided over the valedictory function and presented trophies to the winners.

Addressing the student-artists, she said that youth festivals are the integral part of student life. It helps their overall devlopment and keeps them close to their culture and values. She said that girls are dominating in every sphere of life and have also proved themselves.

She said that the way, the students perform in sports and cultural activities should be continued through out their life. Earlier, Dr. Jagjit Kaur, Director Youth Welfare of the University, welcomed the chief guest.

She also honoured Mrs Brar with a memento on behalf of the university.

Final results:

Flower Arrangement (fresh): 1. Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar 2. BD Arya Girls College, Jalandhar Cantt and GN National College for Women, Nakodar 3. Doaba College, Jalandhar and Kanya Maha Vidalaya, Jalandhar.

Flower Arrangement (dry): 1. BD Arya Girls College, Jalandhar Cantt. 2. Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar and Kanya Maha Vidalya, Jalandhar 3. PCM SD College For women, Jalandhar and GN National College for Women, Nakdoar.

Phulkari: 1. B.D. Arya Girls College, Jalandhar Cantt 2. PCM SD College For women, Jalandhar 3. Kanya Maha Vidalaya, Jalandhar and Hans Raj Mahila Maha Vidayalaya, Jalandhar.

Rangoli: 1. PCM SD College for Women, Jalandhar 2. Hans Raj Mahila Maha Vidalaya, Jalandhar and Kanya Maha Vidalaya, Jalandhar 3. BD Arya Girls College, Jalandhar Cantt, Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar, GN National College for Women, Nakodar and D.A.V. College, Jalandhar.

Poetical Symposium: 1. Lyallpur Khalsa College, Jalandhar 2. Guru Nanak Dev University Regional Campus, Jalandhar 3. BD Arya Girls College, Jalandhar Cantt.and Guru Nanak Dev University College, Jalandhar.

Elocution: 1. B.D. Arya Girls College, Jalandhar Cantt. 2. Kanya Maha Vidalaya, Jalandhar 3. G.N.D. University College, Jalandhar.

Debate: 1. D.A.V. College, Jalandhar 2.Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar 3.G.N.D. University College, Jalandhar.

Quiz: 1 D.A.V. College, Jalandhar 2. Doaba College, Jalandhar 3.Hans Raj Mahila Maha Vidyalaya, Jalandhar.

Classical Instruments (Percussion): 1. Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar 2.D.A.V. College, Jalandhar 3. PCM SD Coll. For women, Jalandhar and MGSM Janta College, Kartarpur.

Folk Song: 1. Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar 2. Hans Raj Mahila Maha Vidyalaya, Jalandhar 3. Govt. Arts & Sports College, Jalandhar and Saint Soldier (Co-education) College, Jalandhar.

Vaar Singing: 1. Hans Raj Mahila Maha Vid., Jalandhar 2.Apeejay Coll. Of Fine Arts, Jalandhar 3. D.A.V. College, Jalandhar and Sant Avtar Singh Mem. College, Seechewal.

Kawishri: 1. D.A.V. College, Jalandhar 2.Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar 3. B.D. Arya Girls College, Jalandhar Cantt.

Folk Orchestra: 1 Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar 2. Kanya Maha Vidyalaya, Jalandhar 3. Hans Raj Mahila Maha Vidyalaya, Jalandhar.

Fancy dress: 1.Sant Avtar Singh Mem. Coll., Seechewal, 2. Kanya Maha Vidyalaya, Jalandhar, 3. G.N. Khalsa College, Daroli Kalan.

Mime: 1.Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar 2.B.D. Arya Girls College, Jalandhar Cantt.3. Hans Raj Mahila Maha Vidyalaya., Jalandhar.

Painting (landscape): 1. Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar 2. Hans Raj Mahila Maha Vidyalaya., Jalandhar 3. Kanya Maha Vidyalaya, Jalandhar.

Painting (still life): 1. Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar 2. PCM SD College for Women, Jalandhar 3. Kanya Maha Vidyalaya, Jalandhar.

Cartooning: 1. Lyallpur Khalsa College, Jalandhar 2. Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar 3. Hans Raj Mahila Maha Vidyalaya, Jalandhar.

Sketching: 1. Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar 2.Hans Raj Mahila Maha Vidyalaya, Jalandhar 3. Lyallpur Khalsa College, Jalandhar.

Collage: 1. Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar 2. PCM SD College for Women, Jalandhar 3. DAV College, Jalandhar.

Photography: 1. Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar 2. Kanya Maha Vidyalaya, Jalandhar 3. B.D. Arya, Jalandhar Cantt.

Poster Making: 1. Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar 2. Lyallpur Khlsa College, Jalandhar 3. Kanya Maha Vidyalaya, Jalandhar.

Clay Modelling: 1. Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar 2. Kanya Maha Vidyalaya, Jalandhar 3. Lyallpur Khalsa College, Jalandhar.

Western Vocal Solo: 1. Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar 2. MGSM Janta College, Kartarpur 3. Hans Raj Mahila Maha Vidyalaya, Jalandhar.

Western Group Song: 1. Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar 2. Hans Raj Mahila Maha Vidyalaya, Jalandhar 3. Kanya Maha Vidyalaya, Jalandhar & PCM SD College, Jalandhar.

One-Act Play: 1. DAV College, Jalandhar 2. Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar 3. Kanya Maha Vidyalaya, Jalandhar.

Group Shabad/Bhajan: 1. Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar 2. Hans Raj Mahila Maha Vidyalaya, Jalandhar 3. PCM SD College, Jalandhar & DAV College, Jalandhar.

Group Song Indian: 1. Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar 2. Hans Raj Mahila Maha Vidyalaya, Jalandhar 3. DAV College, Jalandhar

Geet Ghazal: 1.Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar 2. Hans Raj Mahila Maha Vidyalaya, Jalandhar 3. BD Arya Girls College, Jalandhar Cantt.

Classical Vocal: 1. Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar 2. MGSM Janta College, Kartarpur 3. Hans Raj Mahila Maha Vidyalaya, Jalandhar& Govt. Arts & Sports College, Jalandhar.

Jalandhar, October 11
The recently commissioned BMC flyover, built at a cost of nearly Rs 20 crore, is hardly used by the commuters of the city. Thanks to the faulty design of the flyover.

Not more than 5 per cent of the total commuters coming to this area use this flyover. The flyover, inaugurated in July this year, takes off from Narinder Cinema and turns towards Apeejay College. This passage of the flyover is two-way, whereas the other side, which starts from Radisson Hotel and ends at the front of the cinema, is single.

As a result, the flyover may be used only by those commuters who come towards the Apeejay College side from the bus stand or by those who wants to go to PAP Chowk from the Apeejay College side or from Namdev College side.

The commuters who want to go towards the bus stand side from the Namdev Chowk side or from the Kachehri Chowk side towards the Apeejay College side or bus stand side cannot use this flyover.

Complaining about the faulty design of the flyover, Sandeep Sharma of Madhuban Colony said, “The flyover is used by less than 5 percent of the total commuters. The design should be rectified by making its one arm towards Kachehri Chowk and toward Namdev Chowk so that maximum number of commuters may use it.”

There are only single lanes on the flyover for all sides. So this flyover also affect the flow of traffic coming from the nearby double-lane Khalsa College railway overbridge (ROB) as the speed of the traffic coming from that side also slows down at the single-lane BMC flyover.

The Chairman of the Jalandhar Improvement Trust (JIT), Baljit Singh Neelamahal, could not be contacted, despite repeated attempts to know whether any changes would be made in the flyover to rectify its design.

Jalandhar, October 11
The district police along with Heath Department officials today seized 231 kg of paneer, which was suspected to be spurious.

District Health Officer (DHO) RL Bassan said they had received information from the police that spurious paneer was being supplied by the a dairy in Pathankot to a sweet shop in Jalandhar. He said, after reaching the spot, they had taken the whole quantity of paneer in their possession and samples had already been sent for testing.