‘Set up British Council Library in Amritsar’
Amritsar, February 20
Hailing the visit of British PM to the Golden Temple, the Dal Khalsa has written a letter to the British High Commissioner at New Delhi. In the letter, the Dal Khalsa has urged the British government to set up British Council Library in Amritsar for the benefit of students in this region. It has further written that in view of the historic Anglo-Sikh connection, the British government owes it to the Sikhs to ensure that their fundamental rights are protected. — TNS

Man critically injured in attack, 7 booked
Amritsar, February 20
An altercation that occurred a few days back led to an attack on a youth who was seriously injured in the incident today. Rajat, a resident of Gali Munshian Wali, Tunda Talab, was attacked by seven persons when he was going to a market on a scooter with his mother.

Despite checks, illegal sand mining continues
Amritsar, February 20
The illegal sand mining continues even as the mining department with the help of the police keeps a tight watch on these illegal activities at the Ravi belt in Ajnala. The police has started slapping theft cases against drivers of vehicles (mostly trucks and tractor trailers) from which the sand is seized. But despite every effort, there is no end to illegal mining of sand.

120 students take employability assessment test
Amritsar, February 20
CKD Institute of Management and Technology conducted an online employability assessment test today to help students bag jobs as per their choice and ability. As many as 120 students of the college appeared for the National Employability test titled ‘Aspiring Minds Computer Adaptive Test’ (AMCAT).

Sewage, garbage greet patients at Civil Hospital
Amritsar, February 20
The overflowing sewage outside the Jallianwala Bagh Memorial Civil Hospital has become a major barrier for hospital visitors. The dirty water, stagnant right in front of the entrance to the hospital, poses trouble for visitors as find it really difficult to cross the stretch.

Overflowing sewage water poses problems for patients and their attendents outside the Jallianwala Bagh Memorial Civil Hospital in Amritsar on Wednesday. Photo: Sameer Sehgal

Unions’ strike adds to woes of train passengers
Amritsar, February 20
Train passengers were a harassed lot today as nine trains were delayed due to the nationwide strike by the central trade unions, which blocked traffic at the railway station for nearly three hours. Even as there was a negligible impact on retail business establishments on the first day of the two-day strike, but it paralysed train movement and impacted school transport system in the city.

Taking norms for a ride: in violation of traffic rules, an overloaded tractor trailer plies on the GT Road in Amritsar.

Play on: Artistes stage a play, ‘Baki Hai Itihas’, on the third day of the Classic Theatre Festival at Punjab Natshala in Amritsar on Wednesday. Photos: Vishal Kumar

Release pay arrears, demands teachers’ assn
Amritsar, February 20
The Guru Nanak Dev University Teachers Association (GNDUTA) held a dharna outside the Vice-Chancellor’s office here today in support of the long-pending demands of the university and college teachers of the region and the country.

Three arrested for immoral trafficking
Amritsar, February 20
Following a tip-off, the city police busted a flesh trade racket and arrested three persons, including two women. The Sadar police booked has booked five persons, including three women, in this connection. Saleem of Preet Nagar Verka was among the three persons arrested from the spot.

Undertrial escapes, cop 'suspended'
align="left">Amritsar, February 20
Giving police the slip, a notorious robber facing trial in a case escaped from the court premises today. He was being produced at the court for a hearing in the case. A head constable who was taking the undertrial to the court has been reportedly suspended.

Two GND University research scholars get awards
Amritsar, February 19
Two research scholars --- Resham Sharma and Ravdeep Kaur --- of the department of botanical and environmental sciences of the Guru Nanak Dev University won the Best Interjector Award and Best Abstract Title award, respectively, at the American Society of Microbiology (ASM) virtual workshop on scientific writing and publishing.

Kho-kho meet
GNDU reach semi finals
Amritsar, February 20
Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) entered the semifinals by defeating Mumbai University with 16-9 on the third day of All-India Inter-University Kho-Kho (Women) Championship. Dr Inderjit Singh presided over and introduced with the sports personnel. Dr HS Randhawa, deputy director, sports was also present on the occasion.

A match in progress at the All-India Inter-University Kho-Kho (Women) Championship in Amritsar on Wednesday. Tribune photo

 

 

Residents forced to take the road to misery
PK Jaiswar
Tribune News Service

With several roads remaining blocked for four-wheeler traffic, tourists forced to leave their cabs. Policemen stop a bus from proceeding ahead in Amritsar on Wednesday. Photos: Sameer Sehgal

Amritsar, February 20
With the city turning into a fortress in view of British Prime Minister David Cameron's visit to the Golden Temple and Jallianwala Bagh since the early morning, the local residents, especially schoolchildren, faced a lot of problems commuting in the city. Several roads were closed in view of the British PM's visit.

Schoolchildren in large numbers could not go to schools as several pick-up buses and auto-rickshaws were not allowed to go beyond certain points in the walled city. The people had no information about alternate routes, planned by the police in wake of the high profile visit of the British PM.

The administration failed to disseminate the information about the changed route plan to the common public. The routes were opened at 11.00 am only after the PM left for the airport.

Sushma Rani, a resident of the walled city, criticised the administration and said it should have informed the common public about the changed routes and timings of the visit of any dignitary a couple of days ago.

"We (parents) could have made alternate plans for sending our wards to schools," she added.

Members of trade unions block rail tracks.

One side of the road from Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport to Darbar Sahib was closed for the normal traffic. The elevated road from Taran wala bridge to Kot Mit Singh alongside the Chatiwind Canal was closed for traffic.

Besides all the traffic coming from Tarn Taran side was diverted through Jandiala-Tarn Taran bypass or through Jhabal road side. Commuters from Lahori Gate, Bhagtanwala side coming towards the Hall Gate was restricted till Hathi Gate and from there they were diverted towards the railway station via Bhandari Bridge.

"I got late for my office as it took half an hour more in view of traffic diversion," said Arshdeep, a Tarn Taran resident who works in Amritsar.

Banti, a resident of the walled city area, said he was stopped near Hathi Gate when he was coming to his shop at Lawrence Road. He alleged that the policemen not only disallowed him to cross the road near Hathi Gate, but also misbehaved with him.

A large number of passengers wait for the arrival of their trains at the railway station in Amritsar on Wednesday.

He added, "Policemen were rude with most of the commuters."

Amar Kumar, a resident of Namak Mandi area, said the policemen, deputed near Hathi gate, abused him and asked him to return home instead of going to his shop.

Man critically injured in attack, 7 booked
Tribune News Service

Amritsar, February 20
An altercation that occurred a few days back led to an attack on a youth who was seriously injured in the incident today. Rajat, a resident of Gali Munshian Wali, Tunda Talab, was attacked by seven persons when he was going to a market on a scooter with his mother.

The attackers were armed with a country-made pistol and sharp-edged weapons.

He was rushed to Guru Nanak Dev Hospital (GNDH) with injuries on his head and arms.

The D-division police has booked seven persons in an attempt to murder case.

In her complaint to the police, Rajat’s mother Shelly Kapoor alleged that the accused attacked her son and left him bleeding. She said Rajat was seriously injured in the incident after he was rushed to GNDH.

The accused were identified as Robin and Shisha of Qila Bhangian, Nani of Sazaar Satto Wala, Suraj Mehta of Shivala Bhaina, Munish Sweet, Nitin and Rajan.

A case under Sections 307, 323, 324, 326, 148 and 149 of the IPC and Sections 25, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act has been registered against the seven.

Vijay Kumar, investigating officer, said an altercation between Rajat and the accused was the reason behind the incident. He said raids are being conducted to nab the accused who are absconding since the registration of a case.

Despite checks, illegal sand mining continues
Tribune News Service

Amritsar, February 20
The illegal sand mining continues even as the mining department with the help of the police keeps a tight watch on these illegal activities at the Ravi belt in Ajnala. The police has started slapping theft cases against drivers of vehicles (mostly trucks and tractor trailers) from which the sand is seized. But despite every effort, there is no end to illegal mining of sand.

In the past 24 hours, the police impounded a truck and a tractor trailer carrying huge quantity of sand. However, the drivers of these vehicles fled taking advantage of darkness.

Illegal sand mining leads to degradation of environment. The efforts put in by the mining department have failed to bear desired results as the miscreants generally carry out their activities in night.

In a recent incident, Bhindi Saida police (under the Amritsar rural police) seized a tractor trailer from near Kot Sidhu village at about 11 pm.

Lakhbir Singh, investigating officer, said on a night patrolling, the police party saw a tractor trailer coming from Khushpur village. He said when they signaled the vehicle to stop, the driver abandoned the vehicle and ran away. A case under Sections 379 of the IPC and 21(1) of the Mining and Mineral Act 1957 has been registered in this connection.

On February 18, the Ajnala police team, headed by Assistant Sub-Inspector Kuljit Singh, impounded a truck laden with a huge quantity of sand. It was coming from Raipur village to Ajnala.

The driver left the truck and fled away. A case under Section 379 of the IPC and 21 of the Mineral and Mining Act has been registered.

Recent seizures

• On February 16, the police impounds two sand-laden trucks from the Ajnala belt.
• On February 10, the industries department along with police impounded a truck and a tractor trolley with sand.
• On February 3, the department seized 10 trucks carrying sand.

120 students take employability assessment test
Tribune News Service

Amritsar, February 20
CKD Institute of Management and Technology conducted an online employability assessment test today to help students bag jobs as per their choice and ability. As many as 120 students of the college appeared for the National Employability test titled ‘Aspiring Minds Computer Adaptive Test’ (AMCAT).

The test comprised logic reasoning, aptitude and personality assessment questions along with domain knowledge of their concerned subjects. Yogpinder and Chandan from the AMCAT said after generating percentage of the test, a detailed employability feedback report would be produced for each student and the scores would be made available to the corporate world, including industries like IT financial services and hospitality.

“They can appoint students on the basis of their performance,” said Yogpinder.

“By the AMCAT assessment their talents can be judged by a number of world renowned companies in a single test. They can improve eligibility for employment in the next attempt also,” he said

While welcoming representatives, Principal Dr HS Sandhu said CKD Institute of Management and Technology was always in the effort of introducing such innovative and latest technical ways for placements.

“This test might prove as an entry ticket to the professional world for the students,” he said.

Sewage, garbage greet patients at Civil Hospital
Tribune News Service

Amritsar, February 20
The overflowing sewage outside the Jallianwala Bagh Memorial Civil Hospital has become a major barrier for hospital visitors. The dirty water, stagnant right in front of the entrance to the hospital, poses trouble for visitors as find it really difficult to cross the stretch.

Moreover, the garbage, which has been left to rot around the outer wall of the hospital, has been giving people a tough time.

Though not permissible, the place has become a garbage dump. The waste is not lifted for days.

Joginder Singh, a visitor, said, “It is a nuisance if you are coming to the hospital on foot. The problem of overflowing sewage should be rectified as soon as possible.” He said the place of garbage dump too should be shifted.

Harji Singh, a patient, said, “The waste should be thrown somewhere else. Shopkeepers have set up illegal units adjoining the wall.”

Senior Medical Officer Dr Balbir Singh Dhillon said they had asked the authorities concerned to rectify the sewage problem. “it will be solved soon.”

Health hazards

The dirty water, stagnant right in front of the entrance to the hospital, poses trouble for visitors as find it really difficult to cross the stretch. Moreover, the garbage, which has been left to rot around the outer wall of the hospital, has been giving people a tough time.

Unions’ strike adds to woes of train passengers
Neeraj Bagga
Tribune News Service

Amritsar, February 20
Train passengers were a harassed lot today as nine trains were delayed due to the nationwide strike by the central trade unions, which blocked traffic at the railway station for nearly three hours. Even as there was a negligible impact on retail business establishments on the first day of the two-day strike, but it paralysed train movement and impacted school transport system in the city.

Agitators squatted on the track at about 11:30 am and lifted the protest at 2:15 pm.

Naresh Kumar, a passenger of Shahid Express, said passengers became victim of the strike.

He said objectives of the agitators might be good and liked by a majority of people, but stalling rail movement was not called for. He said the agitators must look for a new way to express their resentments and demands to the government.

Shatabdi Express and Amrapali Express were left stranded at Manawala station, 10 kms from Amritsar. Several passengers ran out of patience alighted at the station and completed their journey on auto-rickshaws.

Release pay arrears, demands teachers’ assn
Tribune News Service

Amritsar, February 20
The Guru Nanak Dev University Teachers Association (GNDUTA) held a dharna outside the Vice-Chancellor’s office here today in support of the long-pending demands of the university and college teachers of the region and the country.

The dharna was organised in response to the call given by north-zone chapter of the All-India Federation of University and College Teachers Organisation.

Teachers expressed their solidarity and asked the government to immediately release their arrears of pay revision.

GNDUTA president Dr Davinder Singh and secretary Dr Lakhwinder Singh stressed upon the government to raise the retirement age to 65 for which the the University Grants Commission (UGC) had already released its recommendations.

The teachers urged that other recommendations of the UGC should be implemented in order to remove the disparities of provision under the Carrier Advancement Scheme (CAS) in various universities of the region.

The GNDUTA has also asked for immediate release of advance increments for higher qualifications like PhD/MPhil/MTech etc.

Three arrested for immoral trafficking
Tribune News Service

Amritsar, February 20
Following a tip-off, the city police busted a flesh trade racket and arrested three persons, including two women. The Sadar police booked has booked five persons, including three women, in this connection. Saleem of Preet Nagar Verka was among the three persons arrested from the spot.

A case under Sections 3, 4, 5 and 7 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act has been registered against the five.

According to information, the woman belonging to Vishal Vihar, Gali Banke Bihari, had rented out a room and was involved in immoral trafficking racket.

After getting a tip-off, the police sent a head constable as a customer. After striking a deal, he called up the police team which was waiting for his signal and raided the complex.

Undertrial escapes, cop 'suspended'

Two GND University research scholars get awards
Tribune News Service

Amritsar, February 19
Two research scholars --- Resham Sharma and Ravdeep Kaur --- of the department of botanical and environmental sciences of the Guru Nanak Dev University won the Best Interjector Award and Best Abstract Title award, respectively, at the American Society of Microbiology (ASM) virtual workshop on scientific writing and publishing.

This workshop was sponsored by the ASM.

These students are currently pursuing their PhDs.

Meanwhile, GNDU research scholars Dhriti Kapoor, Neha Handa and Poonam (group 1) got second best Poster Presentation Award; and Sukhmeen Kohli, Shagun Bali and Ravdeep Kaur (group 2) won the third best Poster Presentation Award at the national conference on ‘Advances in Environmental Sciences & Plant Biotechnology’ at Deen Dayal Upadhya College, University of Delhi, recently.

Kho-kho meet
GNDU reach semi finals
Tribune News Service

Amritsar, February 20
Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) entered the semifinals by defeating Mumbai University with 16-9 on the third day of All-India Inter-University Kho-Kho (Women) Championship.

Dr Inderjit Singh presided over and introduced with the sports personnel. Dr HS Randhawa, deputy director, sports was also present on the occasion.

The quarterfinal matches were played between various universities. In the first match, GNDU beat Punjab University, Chandigarh, by 5-1. In a tough competition, Kerala University defeated Pune University by 14-12.

Calicut University defeated Shivaji University, Kolapur, by 9-5 and Mumbai University defeated Mangalore University, Mangalore by 9-7.