Jalandhar, October 27
As the city residents burst crackers worth crores on Diwali night, they blatantly flouted the Supreme Court ban on bursting of sound emitting firecrackers between 10 pm and 6 am.

In fact, the play of fireworks was at its peak between 10.30 pm and 11 pm. While the night skies dazzled with multiple shots of rockets making unique patterns in different hues, it left a cloud of dense smoke all around.

City residents did not even spare the silence zones, including places in the 100-metre radius around hospitals, educational institutes and religious places. Even as such areas have to be kept noise free, the Punjab Pollution Control Board staff recorded 68 loudness equivalent (LEq) with a peak value of 99 decibel in the ambient area around the Civil Hospital.

The peak noise level registered by the board was 107 dB at the Model Town Market. The peak level noted in residential area was 103 dB in Urban Estate, Phase-I. ENT specialists consider the noise level of more than 100 dB harmful to ears.

Manohar Lal Chauhan, executive engineer, PPCB, said the results of sample analysis tests for gases like sulphur dioxide and nitrogen monoxide would be available after two days.

Dr Sanjeev Sharma, ENT and allergy specialist, said he got five cases of children and elderly people complaining of ringing sensation in their ears. “A day before yesterday, there was a four-year child who got a complete hearing loss as the cracker burst too close to his ear. Though the loss will be irreversible initially, it can be recoverable in the long run,” he added.

KS Pannu, Chairman, PPCB, passed the buck on the district administration and police as he said that it was their responsibility to take action against the guilty.

“Shopkeepers and businessmen have the habit of returning home late on Diwali night and then bursting crackers. Though the trend is on a decline, much more needs to be done. Nothing can happen till people themselves realise the problem. School and college principals have already been doing their bit.”

Jalandhar, October 27
The Jalandhar rural police today claimed to have solved the murder mystery of a brick-kiln owner who was shot dead a few days ago at Kotla village in Maqsooda near Jalandhar and arrested two persons in this connection.

The police also recovered the .12 bore licensed weapon which was used in the crime along with seven live cartridges and a motorcycle (PB-08-BQ-9501) from their possession.

The accused have been identified as Harbhajan Singh of Killi village in Shahkot and Vikaramjit, alias Vicky, a resident of Mehatpur.

Hardyal Singh Maan, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rural, along with Gurmit Singh (detective) told to the newsmen that the special investigation team had been formed to solve the blind murder mystery of the brick-kiln owner and the team worked on different theories to crack the case.

The brother of the deceased had complained to the police that his brother was murder by Mohan Singh and Sandeep Singh of Ranipur village of Kapurthla over some property issue.

During investigation, Maan said: “Considering all aspects of the case, the police had traced the phone call details of the deceased, Bahadur Singh, and acting on the details, the main accused, Harbhajan, came under police scanner who runs a printing press.”

Investigations further exposed that the accused, Harbhajan, had a relationship with one Satvir Kaur of Kotla village since childhood and even after marriage of Satvir, a mother of three, they were having illicit relation. Maan said Satvir had complained to her paramour (Harbhajan) that the brick-kiln owner, Bahadur, kept a bad eye on her and even indulged in vulgar talks over phone with her.

Enraged over his acts, Harbhajan along with his friend Vicky allegedly shot dead the Bahadur. The SSP said the accused had issued a sim card in the name of one Rajesh of Folriwal village and he had used 55 sim cards in his phone.

The SSP said strict action would be taken against the distributor who had issued fake sim cards.

Shahkot, October 27
The Shahkot police today arrested two drug peddlers and recovered one bag of poppy husk from their possession.

The accused have been identified as Balwinder Singh and Surinder Singh, both resident of Fakhruwal village near Shahkot. Inspector Gurmit Singh of the Shahkot police station said assistant sub-inspector Mandeep Singh nabbed the accused with 30 kg of poppy husk when they were on their way to supply the contraband in the nearby areas of Shahkot.

The police has also recovered a motorcycle used to supply the contraband. A case under Sections 15, 61 and 85 of the NDPS Act has been registered against the accused.

Shahkot, October 27
The Shahkot police arrested a drug peddler and recovered huge cache of intoxicated drugs from his possession.

The accused has been identified as Gulshan Kumar, a resident of Bagh Mohalla in Shahkot. Inspector Gurmit Singh said the accused was on his way to supply the consignment last night when his car rammed into a tree near Malsian.

After the accident, the highway patrolling police reached the spot and rushed the accused to the Shahkot Civil Hospital. Inspector Gurmit said when police did searched of the vehicle, 24,446 intoxicating capsules and tablets, 160 corex bottles and 188 intoxicating injections were recovered.

After the recovery, the police arrested the accused from the hospital where he was undergoing a treatment. The police said after impounding the vehicle (PB-10-BE-3546), a case under Sections 22, 61 and 85 of the NDPS Act had been registered against the accused.

Jalandhar, October 27
Amardeep Kaur of Santokpura, who was allegedly poisoned by her in-laws a few days ago and was undergoing a treatment at a private hospital in Ludhiana, died on Tuesday.

The police had registered a case under Sections 307, 406, 498-A and 34 of the IPC against the father-in-law of the woman, Surinder Singh, mother-in-law Jaswant Kaur, sister-in-law Rajinder Kaur and her sister-in-law’s husband Varinder Bagga. The police has also added Section 304-B of the IPC after the death of the victim.

Sources said the father-in-law of the victim had already surrendered before the police after the registration of the attempt to murder case against him while remaining three accused were still at large.

Relatives of the woman, including her brother Kunal Verma, who hails from Bajua Khurd village and runs a jewellery shop in Jalandhar, said that despite the registration of a case of dowry death against the four accused, the police had been adopting lackadaisical attitude and had failed to arrest the accused.

He said the in-laws of his sister had been harassing her since the day of the marriage. He claimed that they had given sufficient dowry on her marriage, still his sister was tortured and they later planned to kill her.

After the incident came to fore, relatives of the woman staged a dharna and also burnt the effigy of her husband. A case under Section 283 of the IPC was registered against the family members and other villagers, including the brother of the deceased, Kunal, for creating obstruction or nuisance in public way or reportedly manhandling of some vehicles.

Jalandhar, October 27
When it comes to sports, Jalandhar has always remained a frontrunner with its sportspersons making waves everywhere. Once again, the city has a reason to cheer as promising cricketer Satwinder Singh Vishu has been selected for the Indian Premier Corporate League (IPCL) Season II.

A fast bowler, Satwinder left for Ahmedabad this afternoon. The tournament will begin from October 29 and will conclude on November 7. He is one of the four boys selected for the IPCL Season II from Punjab.

IPCL Season II would see the participation of eight teams, including Indian Jawan, Indian Blue, Indian Cobra, North King, East Tiger, Central Shark, South Eagle and West Warriors.

Satwinder is part of the Indian Blue team and one among the two fast bowlers from his team. Indian Blue team was the winner of the last year’s IPCL Season I.

Talking to Jalandhar Tribune, the fast bowler said his selection to the IPCL was no big surprise as he was selected last year too. “I could not play the T20 matches as I was already playing for the college team. This time, I have got a wonderful opportunity to get noticed and make the most of this grand launch pad,” he added.

Satwinder said: “I think for budding players like me, there can be no other better platform than the IPCL. I am grateful to the selectors for giving me this chance.”

His career witnessed a boost when he participated in the Netaji Subhash Chander Bose (Under-16) cricket tournament held at Surat in Gujarat. In this tournament, he was declared the man of the match in two matches.

A resident of Surya Enclave in the city, he took up playing cricket when he was a student of class VI at Talwara in Hoshiarpur district. At present, he is pursuing his Bachelor’s in Physical Education from the St Soldier Group of Institutions in the city.

“I am a diehard fan of Australian fast bowler Brett Lee. The whole world swears by the bowling skills of Lee and I wish to see myself excelling up to his level,” Satwinder said.

Jalandhar, October 27
The local Lyallpur Khalsa College in association with the Punjab Jagriti Manch has decided to hold a four-day conclave on the occasion of Punjab Divas, which falls on November 1.

Leading academicians, social activists and thinkers would share their views on the problems, resolutions and issues concerning the development of Punjab. The conclave will focus on topics like agriculture, industry, education, language and culture during the conclave.

Besides, an exhibition on the life, culture and traditions of villages of Punjab titled ‘Heritage Village’ will also be held from October 30 to November 4 on the college campus.

Addressing a press conference, principal of the college Dr Jaspal Singh Randhawa said the first day of the conclave on October 30 would witness a session on the agriculture of the state.

“We have invited agriculture minister Sucha Sucha Singh Langah, Vice-Chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Dr BS Dhillon, Ajmer Singh Lakhowal, president of the Bhartiya Kisan Union, Balbir Singh Rajewal, Dr RS Ghumman from Punjabi University, Patiala, and Kamna Raj Aggarwal from the industry,” he added.

The second session of the conclave on day one would see panellists sharing their views on health and pollution. “Renowned environmentalist Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal and chairman of the Punjab Pollution Control Board KS Pannu along with some academicians will share their views on this topic,” Dr Randhawa said.

The second day’s proceedings will be dedicated to the state of affairs of education in the state. This session will be chaired by Vice Chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Dr AS Brar, VC of Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar, Dr Rajneesh Arora, Dr Jagwant Singh, the president of Punjab Chandigarh College Teachers Union, Dr Hardeep Singh and Sagar from the technical education department of GND varsity.

The evening of October 31 would present the cultural image of Punjab with Dr SP Singh, former VC of GND University, Dr JS Puar, former VC of Punjabi University, Patiala, Dr Kamlesh Singh Duggal from GND Regional Centre, Jalandhar, and Sukhwinder Singh Sangha. “The cultural evening will be dedicated to the Ghazal maestro Jagjit Singh,” he said.

Dr Randhawa said on November 1, a special cultural programme would be held in which Education Minister Sewa Singh Sekhawan would be the chief guest. “We will present a compiled report of the papers presented during the conclave by various panellists to the education minister,” he said.

He added that earlier, the Punjab Divas celebrations were confined to one day only, but from this year onwards, it would be a four-day event. “Although the Punjab Language department also organise a function on this occasion but we as an educational institution should also play our role in defining the role of various factors in the development of the state,” he added.

Jalandhar, October 27
Vajra Corps celebrated the 65th Infantry Day at Jalandhar Cantt today. The occasion was marked by a wreath laying ceremony held at the Vajra Corps War Memorial.

Officiating General Officer Commanding of Vajra Corps Major General SK Agarwal paid homage to the martyrs who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation. Among others senior Army, serving and retired officers also paid tributes to the martyrs on the occasion.

On October 27, 1947, barely three months after gaining Independence, the nation faced its first military challenge as tribal marauders intruded the country’s territory in Kashmir.

The Indian Army was put to test in an operation that earned for it a unique place in the history of warfare. The gallant infantry soldiers stalled the offensive and pushed back the invaders from the outskirts of Srinagar.

To commemorate this historic milestone, Infantry Day is celebrated on October 27 every year. The infantry soldiers continue to occupy the centrestage of warfare owing to their capability to operate under the extreme climatic conditions in all types of terrain.

Heroism is a way of life for the infantrymen with 17 out of the 21 Param Vir Chakras awarded since Independence having been won by them.

The celebration included a Barakhana for the troops and a social gathering was also organised.