Ex-deputy mayor booked in Ram Teerath temple clash
Amritsar, November 10
Lopoke police has booked former deputy mayor Om Parkash Gabbar besides several other persons in connection with the clash that took place between two groups during the annual Ram Teerath fair yesterday.

GPS to monitor kerosene supply vehicles
Amritsar, November 10
Wagons supplying kerosene from oil tankers in the district have been fitted with global positioning system (GPS) under a kerosene supply tracking project.

Drunk cop thrashes two youths
Amritsar, November 10
A police head constable attached with a judicial magistrate allegedly thrashed two youths after their motorcycles collided late last night.

Amritsar, November 10
The SAD-BJP government’s sudden spurt in undertaking or inaugurating road projects has failed to woo holy city residents. Residents termed it as a move to lure voters in view of the upcoming Assembly elections.

New roads are coming up near Taranwala pul point and underneath the elevated road. And recarpeting of internal city roads is going at full speed.

He said the trio were notorious criminals and wanted in many criminal cases. He said they were produced before the Duty Magistrate which sent them to one-day police remand.

A series of other projects like construction of a underpass at SSSS Chowk flyover on Kitchlu Chowk, widening of Bhandari Bridge, construction of District Administrative Complex, two railway overbridges at Vallah and phatak no 22 and introduction of low-floored city bus service etc could not see light of the day despite several promises.

Residents said had the government focused on these projects in the first four years, these projects would have materialised by now.

All above mentioned projects had failed to meet deadlines numerous times.

Naresh Johar, a resident, said the government is behaving like a school kid, who does not study the whole year, and starts burning midnight oil days before the examination just to obtain pass marks.

“This type of planning cannot be admired at all. They have opened up the ramp leading to Golden Temple parking. This move would only benefit tourists visiting the shrine, that too for those who own four wheelers, whereas other ramps leading to local destinations are lying incomplete”, he said.

Jasbir Singh, another resident, said the ruling alliance’s development works have not made any difference to his life. “In the absence of a garbage collecting bin, garbage continues to pile up right on the roadside,” he said. Naresh Kumar, a shopkeeper, said re-carpeting of a road opposite his shop was not required. “A road divider was needed, which could have helped regulate traffic,” he said.

Rajat Aggarwal, Deputy Commissioner, Amritsar, said, “It is true that some of the projects could not see light of the day. The reason is that it required a chain of coordination between various agencies and a lot of groundwork. It is not that a project has been announced and we should be in a hurry to execute it. But efforts are on complete these projects as soon as possible.”

Amritsar, November 10
Come 11.11.11 (November 11), a history of sort would be created at Guru Nanak Dev Stadium with the debut of women’s Kabaddi World Cup. In the inaugural match, the Indian women’s team would take on Turkmenistan women’s team at 6.30 pm.

Apart from this tie, there would be three matches under men’s category (Argentina vs Sri Lanka, Pakistan vs Norway and America vs Spain).

Deputy Commissioner Rajat Aggarwal said micro-level planning was done well in advance to make the occasion a memorable one.

“Special arrangements for players as well as spectators were kept in mind while finalising the planning for hosting this historical event. Famous singer Manpreet Akhtar would be there to enthrall the audience. A cultural programme too has been scheduled,” he said.

Deputy Commissioner Rajat Aggarwal (left) and Police Commissinor RP Mittal (right) inspect the arrangments at Guru Nanak Dev Stadium in Amritsar on Thursday. Photo: vishal kumar

Nevertheless, this stadium has been transformed into a multi-utility sport arena raised at a cost of Rs 7 crore, which included the freshly installed flood lights. Earlier, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had raised objections over raising the pavilion (at Madan Mohan Malwia road end) and VIP gallery in the stadium, because of its close proximity to summer palace of Sikh leader Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

The ASI gave clearance only after the administration agreed not to raise the existing VIP gallery. The plan for installing a canopy was also withheld.

For time being, a new VIP gallery has been constructed. Two sets of four rooms have been constructed for accommodating the men and women teams. Besides two separate toilets and the approach connecting the venue to Albert road has been laid with fresh interlocking tiles.

Local coaches have been asked to help navigate the visiting teams.

Medical aid

To deal with any emergency situation, two dispensaries have been set up within the stadium. Two ambulances would be stationed at the venue throughout the event.

Dr Balwinder Kakkar, Senior Medical Officer, Civil Hospital, said a dedicated team of orthopaedicians, surgeons and physical therapists would be at the service on the venue. “Out of two dispensaries, one has been reserved for players only,” he said.

Security

Anticipating a gathering of over 15,000 kabaddi fans, besides over 150 VVIPs and around 300 VIPs, the Amritsar police administration has made elaborate arrangements. Police Commissioner RP Mittal said over 1,200 cops, including 100 women police personnel and same numbers of traffic cops, have been pressed into service.

Goof-up

Even as the officials of the district administration and the police administration, in collaboration with Amritsar Municipal Corporation and Local Bodies department, were on their toes to ensure no room for error, the red-colour parking stickers meant exclusively for the VVIPs had the wrong parking venue printed. Those having these red colour stickers are supposed to park their vehicles near Alexendra School ground, the sticker puts the parking venue as Cricket ground. Over 125 such stickers have already been distributed to the guests. Now the cops would have to face tough time to divert them to their designated parking.

Similarly, the official press release issued by the administration said the inaugural match would be between the men teams of Argentina and Sri Lanka, the Deputy Commissioner at a press meet earlier had announced the women’s tie between India and Turkmenistan would be the inaugural match.

Politicians galore

While the newly built stadium would be inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, a series of political personalities would figure at the venue to declare the matches open. The first match would be inaugurated by MLA Bikram Singh Majithia, while Inderbir Bolaria, chief parliamentary secretary, Vir Singh Lopoke, Chairman, Zila Planning Committee, Amritsar would be the chief guests.

In second match, MP Navjot Singh Sidhu would perform the opening act whereas MLA Dalbir Singh Verka and Mayor Shwait Malik would be the chief guests. The third match would be inaugurated by Gulzar Singh Ranike, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Minister, and MLA Malkiat Singh and MLA Amarpal Singh Ajnala would be the chief guests. The last match of the day would be announced open by Social Welfare Minister Laxmi Kanta Chawla while MLA Anil Joshi would be the chief guest.

Traffic diversion and parking

The police has identified five parking places for VIP guests and four open places for parking of general vehicles. Those coming from Verka, Jandiala, Kathunangal would enter the city from Verka plant chowk and through Batala road (adjacent to Celebration Mall), and would be diverted towards Company Bagh to park their vehicles. Those approaching from Majitha would take Majitha Bypass and would be diverted towards road leading to Guru Nanak Dev Hospital, before proceeding towards Company Bagh parking. Those from Fatehgarhchurian road would take Rattan Singh Chowk from bypass before proceeding towards Novelty Chowk for Company Bagh parking. Those from the Tarn Taran and Chabaal side would park their vehicles in the Deen Dayal Upadhaya parking. For internal points around the venue, the traffic for the Lawrence Road would be diverted to Bhandari Bridge-Ashoka Chowk-Rialto chowk-Sessions chowk. The five VIP parking lots would be-Alexandra School ground, AGA Club, Cricket Stadium, Officers’ Colony and Badminton Hall. 

Amritsar, November 10
There will be no change in teaching of Punjabi language under the semester system at the Guru Nanak Dev University. It was earlier decided that Punjabi will not be taught in two out of the six semesters in undergraduate classes for the next academic session. Teaching of Punjabi will be under the review of the new 22-member panel headed by former Punjabi University Vice-Chancellor Joginder Singh Puar.

“Punjabi should remain a part and parcel of the syllabus during the entire session and the same will not be curtailed. Yet, the new pattern of the syllabus and the combination of subjects vis-à-vis Punjabi, will be studied within two months and the final recommendations will be forwarded to the university authorities,” Puar said.

In a proposal it was mooted that the teaching of Punjabi should be curtailed from the syllabus of the undergraduate classes. In the proposed elective subject combinations, Punjabi was excluded among the options, as per the proposal.

A copy of the proposal available with The Tribune states, Punjabi was no more part of the options for students who opt for combinations like economics/ history/ social science/ public administration/ psychology/ computer science/ home science/ geography/ defence studies/ music/ philosophy, et al.

Varsity vice-chancellor AS Brar said no attempt is being made to cut Punjabi from the syllabus and the sanctity of the language will be maintained and any amendment will be introduced only after reviewing the recommendations of the committee. “The issue is being dragged unnecessarily and there was never ever an attempt to reduce Punjabi from the syllabus. We had only proposed introduction of a semester system. Now, the best of Punjabi litterateurs have been called in to study the new pattern of syllabus and give us their opinion on how Punjabi should be included in the syllabus of undergraduate classes,” he said.

Amritsar, November 10
Lopoke police has booked former deputy mayor Om Parkash Gabbar besides several other persons in connection with the clash that took place between two groups during the annual Ram Teerath fair yesterday.

The incident left four persons injured, including son of a Mahant Baldev Giri who led one of the warring groups.

A case under Section 323, 324, 452, 506 of the IPC has been registered on the basis of the statement of Baldev Giri.

A clash took place between two groups - one led by Mahant Malkeet Singh and former deputy mayor, Gabbar and others led by Mahant Baldev Giri. A dispute arose over the establishment of a temporary shop in the parikarma of the ancient temple shrine.

Both the groups had hurled bricks and stones at each other leaving four injured. The injured belong to Baldev Giri group.

A case has been registered though no arrest has been made so far, the police said.

Amritsar, November 10
Wagons supplying kerosene from oil tankers in the district have been fitted with global positioning system (GPS) under a kerosene supply tracking project.

Tankers without GPS system will not be allowed to supply oil to wholesale dumps.

The system will also track the movement of tankers supplying oil from various oil companies’ storage sites to the wholesale dumps and ensure that they do not deviate from their pre-decided routes.

The system will further be extended to map ration depots in the near future to stem the problem of black marketing from the depots itself, thus bringing in transparency in the distribution besides stop black marketing of essential commodities through the public distribution system.

Dr Rakesh Singla from the District Food and Civil Supply department said, “All wholesale dealers have been asked to install GPS system through a private company hired by the government. October 31 was fixed as the deadline for all whole sellers. Even as the tankers of 18 wholesalers in the districts have been fitted with the GPS system, from today onwards no tankers without the system will be allowed to carry oil from the storage of the companies at Jalandhar.”

The movement of these tankers will be monitored by the Food and Civil Supplies department with its headquarters at Chandigarh. After the installation of the system if any vehicle deviates from the specified route, an alarm will be sounded immediately at Chandigarh from where the information will be passed on to the officials concerned to look into the same.

Earlier, several reports of black marketing of kerosene oil meant for the public distribution system have been flooding the department. To stem this problem, the state government had decided to install GPS systems in the tankers under Kerosene Supply Tracking project which is successfully running in other parts of the country.

“To plug all the pilferage points in the PDS system, the system will be extended to map ration depots. For this, vehicles ferrying kerosene oil from wholesaler dump to ration depots would also be fitted with the GPS,” Dr Singla said.

The project was carried out on pilot basis in Ferozepur in August and was followed in other parts of the state. Almost all the districts have now adopted this method, Dr Singla added. The main objective was to ensure that the superior kerosene oil meant for PDS reached to its targeted people. There were over 200 vehicles engaged in supplying kerosene in Punjab.

n The system will also track the movement of tankers supplying oil from various oil companies’ storage sites to the wholesale dumps and ensure that they do not deviate from their pre-decided routes.

n The movement of these tankers will be monitored by the Food and Civil Supplies department

n The state government had decided to install GPS systems in the tankers under Kerosene Supply Tracking project which is successfully running in other parts of the country

Amritsar, November 10
A police head constable attached with a judicial magistrate allegedly thrashed two youths after their motorcycles collided late last night.

The policeman was in an inebriated condition when the incident took place, it was learnt.

Eyewitnesses said after the collision, a verbal duel between youths and the cop took an ugly turn.

The policeman identified head constable Rajesh Kumar thrashed youths, identified as Nitin Mehra and Karandeep of Batala Road area.

The people gathered at the spot and raised the slogans against the police.

ADCP city-II Mohan Lal, ACP North Gurnam Singh and SHO Civil Line police Station, Sanjiv Sharma rushed to the spot and tried to pacify the agitators.

The drama continued for about two hours while people were not in any mood the let Rajesh Kumar go scot-free.

The police took both victims and the cop to the Civil Hospital and got their medical examination conducted. The police asked victims to file a written complaint and record their statements in this connection. Gurnam Singh, ACP, said action would be initiated after recording the statements of the two youths.

Sanjiv Kumar, SHO, said the victims were yet to file any report with the police.

Amritsar, November 10
Instances of people abandoning their kids, especially girls, on the premises of Golden Temple and other holy places are on the rise.

There are three such incidents in which unidentified family members abandoned their children (four in total, aged between 2-5 years). Three out of these four children are girls.

On August 27, two minor sisters Sapna (5) and Dimple (3) were found abandoned on the Golden Temple premises. The two were found near a sarai (inns) at the complex and all that they could remember was their mother’s and brother’s names. They could not tell the address of their residence.

Repeated efforts by the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) could not bear fruit as their families and residential address could not be located.

None of the family members approached the SGPC, confirming the fears that the children were deliberately left at the holy shrine.

The SGPC authorities made repeated announcements through their public address system and even flashed their photographs on various TV channels to help trace their parents. The footage of CCTV cameras installed in the Harimandir Sahib complex was also scanned but to no avail.

Similarly, on September 24, the Sewadars found a 7-year-old deaf and dumb boy who was allegedly deserted by their family members at the complex. His parents or any other family member did not approach the authorities with a missing report. Being deaf and dumb, he failed to give any information about him or his parents, said the SGPC authorities.

Partap Singh, manager of Golden Temple Sarai, said the children are handed over to an adoption centre in Ludhiana.

“We still have a girl with us who was left allegedly by her family. She has been kept at the Sri Guru Ram Das Sarai in the complex and would be handed over to the adoption centre at Ludhiana soon.”

Amritsar, November 10
Nameet Singh, a resident of Race Course Road, in a complaint to the police has alleged that Pawan Kumar, a resident of Joshi Pura along with two other unidentified persons had tried to kill him by showing him a pistol. The Civil Lines police has registered a case under Section 307/341/323/506/34 IPC 25, 27, 54, 59 of the Arms Act against the accused.

Amritsar, November 10
The Chheharta police has booked three persons, including a woman, for allegedly attacking and looting after barging into the house of Mandeep Kaur, a resident of Labour Colony in Khandwala area here.

In a complaint lodged with the police, the victim alleged that the accused Iqbal Singh along with Pannu and Simmi forcibly entered into their house. She was washing her clothes at the time.

The police has registered a case under Section 452, 382, 380, 427, 323, 506 and 34 of the IPC in this regard.

Mandeep said the accused were armed with axes, hockey sticks and thrashed her leading to serious injuries.

The accused also threatened to kill her and her children besides taking away a gold chain and Rs 5,500 in cash from a drawer in the house.

Amritsar, November 10
The city police has nabbed three persons and seized a pistol and one kg of charas from their possession besides recovering a stolen motorcycle here today. The Kotwali police has registered a case against the accused under Section 379, 411, of the IPC, 25/54/59 of the Arms Act and 20/61/85 of the NDPS Act.

Those accused have been identified as Daljit Singh of East Gobind Nagar, Sultanwind Road, Heera Singh of Gali Baagwali, Fatehgarh Churian in Gurdaspur and Baljit Singh of Munda village in Tarn Taran.