Amritsar, February 3
Thefts of LPG cylinders are reportedly on the rise in the city, apparently, due to the cap imposed by the state government on subsidised LPG cylinders.

A gang was recently busted and 40 LPG cylinders were recovered from their possession. The police had arrested a person, identified as Raju, in this connection.

The police intercepted the accused on an autorickshaw, which was carrying 10 cylinders during a special naka laid at Dhupai village a few days ago. The police got suspicious as the occupants of the autorickshaw could not produce any valid documents regarding the 10 cylinders loaded on the cargo then.

Meanwhile, two of his accomplices managed to slip from the scene. Later, the police recovered 45 LPG domestic cylinders after interrogating the accused.

Such instances have increased apparently due to the cap imposed by the government as the cylinders can be easily sold in the black market. The investigations carried out by the police revealed that the thieves sell the stolen cylinders to illegal gas filling units.

Meanwhile, some unknown persons broke open a house at Diamond Avenue area yesterday while the occupants of the house were abroad. Besides stealing jewellery, a revolver and other valuable items the thieves lifted two gas cylinders too.

Three days ago, the thieves barged into the house of an additional district session judge Sham Lal, located at Canal Colony, Amritsar. These unidentified persons, who had gained entry into the locked house did not forget to lift the domestic LPG cylinder, besides other valuables which included a television set, VCP etc.

A daily crime diary of the Police Department confirmed that on an average there were at least two-to-three instances on the daily basis wherein the LPG gas cylinders were being stolen.

Police Commissioner Ram Singh said special nakas were laid at random, especially during odd hours to check this menace. “The LPG cylinder thefts are being observed minutely and we are vigilant enough to put a cap on this menace," he said. 

Amritsar, February 3
This can be categorised as a classic case which highlights how accused go scot-free in court when policemen fail to present a case in the right manner in the court.

The family of Karanjit Singh and Harvinder Kaur has been running from pillar to post to get justice in an assault and attempt to murder case. Frustrated over the alleged police inaction, Harvinder even threatened to commit suicide if the police department failed to provide justice to the victim's family.

At a press conference held here today, the family alleged that police officials did not present the case appropriately in the court and bungled important documents, including statements of the witnesses, in order to benefit the accused Gurinder Singh, alias Ghalli, a Moga-based NRI, who was later released on bail by the court.

“The accused remained in touch with police officials who were entrusted with the investigations even when he was lodged in a high-security jail,” alleged Karanjit Singh, showing the call details of the mobile phone number allegedly being used by Ghalli.

The couple said that the relationship between the siblings of the two families was the reason behind the incident. They alleged that they were brutally assaulted by several unidentified persons at the behest of Ghalli in December 2011.

“The attackers broke my both legs and an arm, besides cut my hair. As per the medico-legal report I sustained 15 injuries, while my husband Karanjit suffered 13 injuries,” said Harwinder Kaur.

Following this, a case under Sections 308, 325, 323, 341, 427, 506, 120-B, 148, 149 of the IPC had been registered at the Tarsikka police station. The investigations were later shifted to the then SHO Jandiala police station. The accused was arrested about six months after the registration of case.

“Till date even after the assurances by SSP Preet Paul Singh Virk, the police has failed to present the requisite documents, including statements of prime witnesses, in the Baba Bakala court and it is likely that Ghalli would be discharged in the next hearing slated to be held on February 6,” she said.

The "intentions" of the police officials could be gauged from the fact that the attempt to murder charge (307 IPC) was included in the FIR only after Ghalli got bail, alleged Karanjit Singh. What to talk about tracing the attackers who were hired by him. Although he said SSP Virk had opened a departmental inquiry against the erring police officers, no concrete punitive action had been taken against them.

The family even approached the ruling government leaders for getting justice, but their instructions to the police department also failed to break the ice.

Harwinder Kaur threatened that if the police department failed to provide justice to the family by presenting appropriate documents in the court, she would end her life and it would be the police department which would be responsible for this. The SSP Virk could not be contacted even after repeated attempts.

Amritsar, February 3
The Society for Prevention of Cruelty against Animals (SPCA), which is the only shelter house of stray and injured animals, is running its operations from a dilapidated infrastructure, besides being understaffed.

Situated outside the Hathi Gate, the shelter is currently an abode of about 80 animals and birds, including 60 stray dogs, monkey, cows, calves, donkeys, pony, buffalo, eagles, crow, owl and a hornbill. All this requires funds to the tune of Rs 50,000 per month.

Administrative wing of the SPCA is functioning from a dilapidated room while another one is out of use for its extremely decaying condition. It does not have a medical room. There is one hall room and another small room to store fodder for the livestock but all these premises are in ramshackle condition as roofs have partially come down.

Besides, there are eight kennels for small animals like monkeys, dogs and calves. However, there is only one-roofed shelter for large animals.

There is an urgent need to keep large animals separate from the stray dogs as many a time stray dogs are suffering from rabbies and could easily bite tethered animals.

The SPCA is understaffed as it has got an inspector, a watchman and a sweeper to look after around 80 stray and injured animals and birds. It does not have veterinary doctors of its own. However, it requires one more inspector, one more sweeper and six constables.

In order to meet its current Rs 50,000 per monthly expenses, the SPCA is dependent on donations from philanthropists and a regular Rs 9,000 rent from a shop.

In early 80's, the SPCA got Rs 10,000 as a grant from the Municipal Corporation apart from the grant from district administration to carry out its work. The SPCA officials said they were discharging the duties of the corporation like catching stray dogs, treating stray animals and injured birds.

Over a period of time, the market value of the land has gone high which once attracted the attention of the land mafia, who tried to wrest control of the property, and renting out the same to gain profit. Vigilance of the animal activists and prompt response of the district administration ensured its revival some years back.

As per the records available with the SPCA it was established in 1920 and was repaired in 1938.

A plaque on a wall stated that the the building was erected in 1919 by Rai Bahadur Lala Duni Chand Mehra at a cost of Rs 2,000.

A group photograph on the opening ceremony of the SPCA in Amritsar informed that its inception was done in the presence of the then DC FH Burton (President of the SPCA) and vice-president Sunder Singh Majithia

Amritsar, February 3
It is a good season for four wheels, if the rush at the Auto Expo at the Alpha One Mall is anything to go by. Brand new models of leading automobile companies on display like Honda, Volkswagen, Hyundai, Chevrolet, Volvo etc all had their best four and two wheelers for the Amritsar costumers.

The exhibition has given an opportunity to the people of Amritsar, especially who like to burn rubber, to experience and feel the luxury on four wheels with leading automobile brands in the industry under one roof. One can choose to book and drive their dream car home. The crowd response said it all.

“We had an overwhelming response for all exhibitors as there have been many bookings and purchases made during the two-day show,” said Adhnesh Vij, director, Brand Zone, a company that had organised the expo. Though the rising fuel prices have been a challenge, the Punjabi costumers didn’t seem to mind. “We have started a Punjab tour of the auto expo with first show held in Amritsar, followed by Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Chandigarh. The expo had luxury to mid section cars, sports and regular bikes and also saw the launch of Chevrolet’s latest Sail in Punjab,” said Adhnesh.

As Amritsar is a potential market for luxury and utility car segments, limited editions and special models were a big draw. Especially Volvo’s S60 and SC60 models, which had many takers (willing to shell out 43 lakhs for the four wheeled luxury).

The evening went on to become more entertaining with live performances by Lakhwinder Wadali and a fashion show held by city-based designer Maahi Mukesh Mehra and Queen’s Couture. The show had traditional and western wear from the two brands and kept the mood upbeat. 

Amritsar, February 3
The State Consumer Disputes Redresssal Commission has asked a Jalandhar-based agricultural machine manufacturer to refund Rs 25,000 to a local resident after the machine was verified to be having a manufacturing defect.

The commission has also ordered the manufacturer, Sehra Motor and Tractor Engineering, to pay a 9 per cent interest on the amount applicable from the date of purchase, besides Rs 1,000 as litigation expenses.

The complaint was filed by Balkar Singh after he found a defect in a potato planter machine purchased on September 20, 2005.

He said they had got a field inspection of the machine done from the state agricultural department, which had verified the defect in manufacturing in its report on February 2, 2007. An application for the inspection was given to State Director Agriculture, who got the field inspection done through the district agricultural department.

Balkar Singh said he had brought the defect to the notice of the manufacturer, who denied replacing the machine. Later, a complaint to the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum was made on February 28, 2007, which ordered the replacement of the machine.

However, the complainant approached the state commission, reasoning that he had already bought a new machine from another manufacturer as he did not had any faith in the services of Sehra Motor and Tractor Engineering.

The state commission has asked for the refund of the value as the farmer had already suffered a huge loss of crop produce as the machine supplied could not sow the seeds properly and the farmer had bought another machine in a dire need. 

Amritsar, February 3
Navpreet Singh and Ishtpreet, B Com III students, were declared as the best debaters and a team of Manish Bansal and Asishish Kohli of B Com-II got the best team award in the four-day Comfest. The event organised by the postgraduate department of commerce and business management of the DAV College concluded today.

The event witnessed various events like debate, declamation, extempore, ad-mad Show, com-quiz, business generation ideas, power point, management games (commerce memory, hot seat), drama, face-to-face interactive session, bhangra and gidha.

On the concluding day of the event, prizes were distributed among winners. Students of the department and co-curricular Activities (CCA) department of the college has also organised a cultural programme on this occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Vice-Principal Prof Baldev Sachdeva, said the Comfest is the annual event of the department, which offers an opportunity to students to showcase their talent and express their ideas.

He highlighted the various achievements of the department in terms of placements in multinational companies and associations with various business conglomerates.