Ludhiana, June 12
Barely hours after the transfer of Commissioner of Police Ishwar Singh, migrants working at hosiery units in Kakowal village and the Bahadurke road area allegedly vandalised a factory and staged a protest dharna against the deteriorating law and order situation in the area.

Migrants complained that robberies and snatching had become the order of the day and the police had failed to check crime.

They alleged that a gang of snatchers, which operated on motorcycles, had committed a spate of snatchings by targeting factory employees.

The snatchers usually targeted workers on the day they got their salaries.

Fearing that the migrants' protest may turn ugly, similar to the violence that took place in December 2009, the SHOs of eight police stations along with a police force were deputed in the area to pacify the migrants.

"Last night, two motorcycle-borne snatchers injured two factory workers and fled with the victims' salaries. Such incidents are becoming a routine and the police has failed to take any action," said a protester.

Sensing tension in the area, businessmen and hosiery traders decided to close their establishments.

DCP Harsh Bansal said the situation was under control and there was no report of any untoward incident.

The police has decided to hold a meeting with the migrants tomorrow to address their demands.

Sources said the DCP had initiated the process of setting up a police post in the Bahadurke and Kakowal areas. The SHOs had been asked to set up nakas in the area when salaries are disbursed among the migrants.

Meanwhile, the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) has demanded the immediate arrest of the culprits who stabbed a worker on the Bahadurke road. Addressing a rally at the Bahadurke road today, DP Maur, general secretary of the Joint Council of Trade Unions, Ludhiana, said the law and order situation in the city was bad and poor workers, who had to work in night shifts, were bearing its brunt.

Ludhiana, June 12
It will be a tough road ahead for newly appointed Commissioner of Police Paramjit Singh Gill. Known as a strict police officer, Gill has tough challenges ahead. Apart from curbing the rising snatching incidents, the police chief will have to ensure law and order in this communally volatile city. Among the major challenges for him are:

Land mafia

This is perhaps the main issue that the officer will have to deal with. A majority of the city residents have fallen prey to land sharks. Whenever the police chief is transferred, the land mafia gets active. The land mafia allegedly works in connivance with police officials. Commissioner of Police Ishwar Singh was to a large extent successful in keeping tabs on the land mafia. Now, the focus is on IG Paramjit Singh Gill as to how he handles the land mafia.

Regularising traffic

Streamlining traffic will be a major hurdle for the new Commisioner of Police. He has to take a call on whether to resume the tow-away drive, which was stopped a few months ago following complaints that the company that was awarded the contract was not following the guidelines.

Unsolved murder cases

Another challenge for Gill is to solve murder cases. The list of unsolved murder cases in the district is becoming bigger by the day. Except for cracking the high-profile double murder case of Moga DSP Balraj Singh Gill and Monica Kapila and the double murder case of Heena and her mother Usha Grover, the city police has nothing much to its credit.

The abduction, rape and killing to two minors girls in the Jodhewal area are the latest addition to the long list of unsolved cases.

The killing of 34-year-old forex trader Sukhjinder Singh, who was found dead in his office on Rahon Road on August 17, 2012, and the murder of Taranjit Kaur (60), that had spread panic in Model Town on July 31, 2012, have posed yet another challenge to the investigating agency. Among the major murder cases that remain unsolved are Namdhari follower Avtar Singh's murder case and barber Satish Kumar's murder case.

Transfer raises eyebrows

The sudden transfer of IG Ishwar Singh has triggered rumours in the city. While officials are busy trying to find out the reason, the issue was a hot topic of discussion among policemen. Police officers remained tightlipped on the transfer.

Even politicians were seen calling people close to Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal to know the reason behind the sudden transfer. People, including officers, politicians and journalists, visited IG Ishwar Singh's house during the day.

Ludhiana, June 12
There seems to be no end to the woes of the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) with financial and other irregularities being persistently pointed out by the audit wing. After being rapped on the knuckles for its failure to recover outstanding amount worth several crores from allottees and buyers of commercial, residential and institutional sites and properties, GLADA is now once again under the audit scanner for excess payment of house rent allowance, ex gratia and special pay to its officials and staff members.

According to the audit report for 2011-12, obtained under the Right to Information Act by Rohit Sabharwal and Arvind Sharma, president and secretary, respectively, of the Council of RTI Activists, GLADA has made an excess payment of more than Rs 1.08 crore by way of perks and allowances to its staff members.

The audit report noted that the Chief Secretary had written to the Principal Secretary, Finance, on May 1, 2002, that pay, allowances and perquisites of employees of public sector undertakings and quasi-public institutions would not be higher than their counterparts in government service.

In order to effect economy, it was added that higher allowances and perquisites not admissible to government employees but being enjoyed by the staff of the public sector undertakings be withdrawn prospectively.

However, the audit team found that GLADA had paid Rs 82,87,187 as excess ex gratia to its employees during 2010-11 and 2011-12. Similarly, a payment of Rs 23,74,795 as excess HRA and Rs 1,63,600 as excess special pay was made during the same period. In this manner, the total excess payment made by GLADA to its employees amounted to Rs 1,08,25,582.

On the excess payment of the HRA, ex gratia and special pay, GLADA officials had stated that the matter would be taken up with the higher authorities and a reply would be submitted accordingly.

GLADA officials said the audit objection had been referred to the PUDA headquarters and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Punjab. "Being a policy matter, follow-up action, if any, would be taken after the matter was finally disposed of by the government," the officials said.

Ludhiana, June 12
Even though the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation has been making tall claims about cleaner roads and beautified surroundings, several roundabouts in the city are in poor shape. The condition of some of these is so bad that accidents can take place here anytime, with those riding two-wheelers particularly at a greater risk.

However, not all roundabouts in the city are in poor shape since a majority of these are managed and developed either by private players or industrial houses. Due to a "callous attitude" adopted by MC officials, smaller roundabouts seem to be nobody's baby and are in a shambles.

Incidentally, the smaller roundabouts are located on roads which have heavy traffic throughout the day. One such roundabout is located near the Circuit House on the busy Ferozepur Road, while another one is located near the Civil Surgeon's office on Dandi Swami Road.

Some of these roundabouts are so small that motorists may at times not even notice these as there are only some bricks and sand in the name of these roundabouts, which can lead to accidents any time.

Sahezoba Grewal, director of the Butterfly Nature Club of India, an NGO, and city resident, said it was the duty of the MC to maintain and beautify all roundabouts in the city. "Ludhiana is one of the most polluted cities in the country and having cleaner and greener roundabouts will certainly help. If these roundabouts are left unattended by the civic body, these may lead to fatal accidents," she said. Last year, the MC had decided to develop all roundabouts in the city and in October, a Czech-based company had even shown interest in this project. However, the proposal has not moved further since then.Officials from the Czech company had studied the roundabouts in the city for a few weeks and had given a presentation to the MC. The MC had asked the company to prepare a detailed project report.

Ludhiana, June 12
Residents of the Shimlapuri area are up in arms against a liquor vend, which has come up near a school, gurdwara, sabzi mandi and residential area. They have been holding protests against the vend since May, ever since it came up in the area, but to no avail.

The liquor vend is located at the busy Mair Da Chowk in the Shimlapuri area. Around two dozen localities are connected with the chowk directly.

After a protest by area residents, the liquor vend was shifted, but it resurfaced at a new place on Monday evening. Ever since, the area residents have been raising their voice against it and have complained to the district administration, the area councillor as well as the Excise Department.

An area resident alleged three schools, an anganwari centre, a temple and a gurdwara were located within a 200-metre radius of the liquor vend.

“The exact distance between the liquor vend and the nearest school is 81 metres. Even if the liquor vend is legal, it is bound to affect the mindset of children studying there. The wine contractor should understand that profit making should not be his only motive,” said a resident, who did not wish to be identified owing to alleged political pressure over this issue.

Mayor Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria said he was aware of this matter. “I have already raised the issue with the Deputy Excise and Taxation Commissioner (DETC). The contractor had assured that he woudl shift the liquor vend. However, if it has again come up near schools, I will take up the matter again with the DETC,” said the Mayor.

DETC Rishipal Singh could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.

Doraha, June 12
Journey on the National Highway-I where the work of six-laning is ‘supposed’ to be carried out, is in no way a child’s play. Pointed irons and big holes and that too without any security cover for the commuters, who ply on the NH-1, are sure to give a chill in anybody’s spine, who happens to come across them, all of a sudden. “This is simply ridiculous!” the commuters alleged.

The road is a national highway which is generally used by commuters undertaking long-distant journeys. Since this is so, in order to cover the distance, the commuters are bound to be moving at speed more than the normal one. In such a situation, the road should be simply flawless. But it is heartening to find big holes dug up for road widening purposes and left open rued one of the commuter, who had a hair breath escape when his car was about to fall into the deep hole dug up and left uncovered by the private contractor.

Moreover, when one finds that some construction work is going on, one feels satisfied that it would reach its culmination point one fine day. But when one knows that there is practically no work going on the NH-1 and the commuters are being unnecessarily exposed to a perpetual risk why to sit still and remain mere mute spectators was another commuter’s reply.

The pointed iron rods, on the very road itself, apart from proving a source of inconvenience for all on the highway, are dangerous to the extent that if missed from sight, they are sure to result in fatal injury, especially for the cyclists and the two wheelers. If the authorities try to put it on the ongoing project, it would be all the more ridiculous on their part. As far as the ongoing project is concerned and the slackened speed at which it is being pursued, no single soul can predict as to when it is finally going to be accomplished. Moreover, can a frail ribbon put around a deep trench save a commuters life especially on the National Highway?” said an angry commuter.

Bipin Sharma, Project Director of the NHAI, when contacted, said “Due to a legal dispute going on in the court, the work of construction had come down to a negligible speed. But such risks should be taken care of despite legal fights. I shall instruct the contractor to look into it and do the needful at the earliest.” 

Mandi Ahmedgarh, June 12
With an intent to harness the latest state of the art technology for preventing crime in the city, the police has asked all the jewellers to install CCTV cameras and auto dialers on their premises within 15 days.

The decision was taken in the backdrop of the crime incidents in which some swindlers duped jewellers of Malwa of ornaments worth lakhs during past few days.

Jewellers were shown clippings of the incidents in which a swindler had allegedly taken away jewellery worth lakhs from counters attended by a single person after allegedly hypnotising him. The victims could not comprehend the situated even after being duped and it was being recorded on the CCTV cameras that they succeeded in recollecting what had actually happened with them.

A team of police, led by the SHO city, Jasbir Singh, inspected all the jewellery shops to study security lapses and advised owners to install the CCTV camera in and outside the premises. It was suggested that motion sensors should be installed along with the CCTV cameras so that lights were automatically switched on for better video footage.

Installation of panic buttons, auto dialers and deployment of night watchman were others suggested measures to check robberies and burglaries.

Referring to information received from sources in Mansa and Patiala police, Jasbir said a swindler had succeeded in duping some jewellers at Mansa and Nabha towns recently. The swindler, who is yet to be identified, targeted those shops which were attended by a single person.

While the exact modus operandi is yet to be ascertained, the study of clippings revealed that the swindler probably hypnotised the counter who handed him over ornaments and gold worth lakhs without any resistance. "In Mansa, the jeweller was so empowered by the swindler that he came to leave him at the door of the shop after being duped," said Singh.

Strangely, the owner could not comprehend the situation even after being duped and continued watching TV for a long time before he could understand what had happened with him. The swindler had taken away jewelry worth rs 30 lakh.

The police also distributed photographs of suspect in Mansa and Nabha cases.

Appreciating concern of the police, some jewellers said they would act upon the advice of the police in letter and spirit.

"We have already ordered for installation of the CCTV camera inside and outside the premises," said Balwinder Verma of Chaura Bazar.

Ludhiana, June 12
The pedestrian underpass near the Mini-Secretariat seems to have failed serve the real purpose with very few people using it. It is first of its kind in the state. People still prefer to cross the busy Ferozepur Road putting their lives to danger.

The underpass was constructed at a cost of Rs 3.5 crore. Thousands of people visit the Mini-Secretariat daily because this particular complex houses the headquarters of the district administration as well as the district courts complex.

The real motive behind its construction was the safety of pedestrians as Ferozepur Road is one the busiest roads of the city.

The all hopes of the MC of generating revenue were dashed when it failed to auction nine shops located in the underpass in three auctions. People use it as a toilet and the MC officials never bother to clean the underpass.

Sham Singh Harika, a senior citizen, said the underpass had failed to serve the purpose. “If a senior citizen like me wants to use the underpass, he might not be able to do so because he will have to walk quiet an extra bit for crossing the road. I personally feel the MC has literally wasted public money on this project,” he rued.

Another city resident said a visit to the underpass is very saddening. “It stinks as people use it as a urinal. The MC has failed to auction the nine shops and that is why people use this place to ease themselves,” he said.

Ludhiana, June 12
Like many other things and services that paved the way for the development of human civilisation and revolutionised the way we communicate, telegram services would be bid adieu from the Indian soil, officially by the next month.

General Manager, Telecom, Ludhiana, CS Bhanot said as many alternative forms of communication had emerged long ago, telegraph services had become redundant and were rendered non-profitable. So it was not viable to carry on with these services, he said.

A sense of nostalgia sweeps the city. The elderly are emotionally connected with this form of communication. A 78-year-old woman said: "To the people of our generation, the modern ways of communication are nothing short of wonder and magic, particularly when we think about how we used to communicate through telegram."

Bhanot said the services would be discontinued from July 15 this year. — TNS

Ludhiana, June 12
A collection of postage stamps has been put on display at Bhagwan Valmiki Library at Miller Ganj. Around 200 postage stamps are on display.

A postage stamp on Bhagwan Valmiki released in 1970, on BR Ambedkar (1966) and a stamp on Guru Ravidas (1971) are among the postage stamps put on display.

Arun Sidhu from the library said postage stamps had been displayed to spread awareness about various leaders of the country. It would also inculcate in people interest about philately. "Philately is a very knowledge-enhancing hobby, as postage stamps are commemorative and there is a reason behind their release," he said.

He said the postage stamps and the first-day cover on Dr Ambedkar and Bhagwan Valmiki had been given to the library by Dr SK Sondhi, a resident of the city.

Apart from Indian postage stamps, many stamps from Nepal, Pakistan, Canada, US, Jordan, Sri Lanka and Australia are part of the collection.

Ludhiana, June 12
At the crucial time of admissions, when majority of parents are busy in getting their wards enrolled in educational institutions, about 4,500 teachers in the state are worried as most of them have not got enough money to get their wards admitted to institutions of their choice. All thanks to the callous attitude adopted by the state government that these teachers in the aided schools have not received their salaries for the past three months.

Devinder Rehan from NM Jain School said, “Teachers from 48 aided schools in Ludhiana district alone have not received their salaries since March. The months from March to June are crucial as admissions take place during these months. Many teachers have to get their wards admitted to different educational institutes and for that they are taking loans.”

“The government should look into our plight. Without salaries how we could run our houses?” asked Rehan.

The teachers in aided schools said that despite the orders by the court, the state government never released the salaries to the teaching and non-teaching staff in aided schools. They said that 95 per cent of the grant came from state government while just 5 per cent had to be put by the school managements.

“The government till date has not released the 95 per cent aid to the schools. The court had ordered that the government must release the salary on 7th of every month and must implement the provisions of the article of 67 of the Punjab School Education Code and Grant-in-Aid rules,” said Dr Satish Thamman, a retired teacher.

The teachers in aided schools said this was a routine. Teachers always get their salaries late.

“The aided schools should also be taken over by the government as soon as possible,” said the teachers.

Ludhiana, June 12
A general meeting of the members of the Joint Action Committee of Affiliated Schools, Punjab, with Transport Minister Ajit Singh Kohar was held today.

Rajinder Sharma told the minister that school buses were meant to collect students from their houses and afterwards were parked on the school premises. In the evening, they were plied again to take the students back home. There was no motive of any commercial purpose behind it and nominal charges were collected from the students. He said the government must abolish the permit tax imposed on the buses of the affiliated schools. The tax was a burden on the meager resources of the school. The delegation asked the minister to solve the problem of road tax imposed on the school buses. 

Ludhiana, June 12
The auction of vanity numbers by the District Transport Department will be held in two phases. In the first phase, auction of first 100 numbers of the series will take place. In the second phase, remaining vanity numbers along with the numbers left from the previous series will be auctioned.

District Transport Officer Anil Garg said, "On June 21, first 100 numbers, which are considered to be the vanity numbers, will be auctioned and on June 28, remaining fancy numbers along with the numbers left from the previous series will be auctioned. Besides, the bidder will have to deposit 25 per cent amount on the spot. The remaining amount needs to be deposited on completion of documents and various formalities."

Ludhiana conducts auction of fancy numbers almost every month and new series get added here. Each auction generates a whopping amount of about Rs 40 lakh every month to the State Exchequer.

When asked if Ludhiana remains on top in generating the revenue, Garg said, "The auction of vanity numbers is conducted frequently in Ludhiana, while in Patiala, Bathinda and Jalandhar the new series is added after every three to four months."

"Now we will be giving single digit numbers every month while in other districts these numbers will be available after two-three months depending on the arrival of new series. People there prefer to shell out more amount to get number of their choice as vanity numbers are not sold in their districts frequently. As far as the amount generated annually is concerned, Ludhiana district remains on top," said Garg.

One of the employees at the office said auction of vanity numbers in two phases would bring respite. "Firstly, everything will be streamlined and secondly we will be able to wind up the process early. Earlier, in all these auctions, we used to sit late in the evening till all the numbers were auctioned," said the employee.

Ludhiana, June 12
In the newly certified ITR forms it has been made mandatory to attach the audit report of the audited returns. While e-filing their audited returns, the income tax payers will also have to upload the audit report prepared by their respective chartered accountants.

Jatinder Khurana, taxation expert, while commenting on the new instruction, said: "It will become a very cumbersome process. In the last days sometimes server goes slow and files don't get attached. Uploading the returns will now consume more time."

Parveen Kumar, a chartered accountant, said a new provision has added to the certified forms. "It will only make the things bit tough for the income tax filers. They anyways have to get their returns audited."

Ludhiana, Tribune 12
At minor age Rajdeep Singh Khangura has set an aim to become a crop-breeder. He did his post graduation in plant breeding and genetics from Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and has been selected by an American university under its scholarship programme. After analysing the academic record of Rajdeep, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has selected his name for PhD programme. The entire degree programme is funded by the USAID.

Native from Baranhara village in Ludhiana, Rajdeep had proved his determination in academics in board classes. He was awarded certificate of merit by Bharat Vikas Parishad after getting merit in Class X examination. He was again awarded certificate of merit by the Central Board of Secondary Education in biology for obtaining 99 per cent marks in the examination.

Rajdeep joined Punjab Agricultural University and got the Academic Roll of Honour (2010) for obtaining the highest OCPA in BSc Agriculture (Hons). He was also awarded with Dr PN Thapar gold medal for being adjudged as the best all round students in all the BSc programmes of the university for the year 2010. He has also been awarded with Dr Ram Dhan Singh medal for securing first position in BSc (Hons) in the subject of plant breeding and genetics. The PAU also awarded him with university gold medal for securing first position in BSc Agriculture (Hons) programme. On his academic achievements, Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund, New Delhi, awarded him with a certificate of merit.

"The school from where I have passed my matriculation, recognised my academic achievements and gave full tuition fee waiver during my XI and XII classes in the high school. I got University Merit Scholarship from 2006-07 to 2008-09 and was also awarded with Tagra and Batra Family Scholarship from 2008-09 to 2009-10", informed Rajdeep.

"I am going to join the PhD research assistantship at Purdue University, Indiana. I am happy with this opportunity as I wanted to be a crop braded. This opportunity will make help to make my dream true," he added.

Not only in academics, Rajdeep Singh has also been a good player as well. As a captain of Punjab Agricultural University football team, he participated in five North Zone Inter-varsity football tournaments held from 2006 to 2012. Rajdeep also participated in three North Zone Inter-varsity Hockey tournaments held between 2007-2010 and one All-India Inter-varsity Hockey Tournament held at Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu in 2008.

For his extra-curricular activities, the university awarded him with college colour and merit certificate in the game of football and hockey.

Ludhiana, June 12
City residents are looking for an escape to save themselves from the scorching weather.

“We are planning to go to Srinagar this summers,” said Dr Gauhar Vatsyayan, an Ayruvedacharya. “We will also visit Sankaracharya temple there,” he said.

Janmeja Johl, a photographer, said he along with his friends would visit valleys in Himachal Pradesh like Pangi Valley, Sangla Valley and the town of Rekong Peo.

“We are going to go to Leh and Ladakh,” said Vandana Sharma, an employee of a private firm.

Rohit, a teacher, said: “Travelling is always an enriching experience and summer vacations serve dual purpose of beating the heat and attaining new experiences and learning that adds to your knowledge and fuels your creativity. This time I am planning a trip up hills in Uttrakhand.”

“Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia are always the popular destinations every year,” said Shamma from Rahi Holidays.

“For destinations abroad, places like Thailand, Malaysia require less paperwork and on arrival visa is available. These locations are also relatively pocket-friendly than some of the other exotic destinations in the West,” said another travel agent at Bharat Nagar.

Ludhiana, June 12
The knitwear industry is finally thinking on the lines of getting united and working together for the uplift and development of the industry as a whole. The knitwear industry is one of the oldest industries of Ludhiana but sans cluster.

The differences among the bigwigs of the knitwear industry have prevented the formation of the knitwear cluster so far, to the disadvantage of the small manufacturers in the industry. No Central Government aid for development is allocated to the industry since it does not have a cluster. Now, keeping aside their differences, the representatives of the industry are all set to work towards the forming of a cluster.

The Ludhiana industry boasts of nearly eight clusters, which include the printing and packaging, oil-expeller part, tractor part, hand tool, wire drawing, dyeing, cycle part and sewing machine clusters.

"We had never thought of forming a cluster but now we are working on these lines as it is very important for the growth and development of the industry as a whole. Big entrepreneurs do change and adopt new technologies but things are very difficult when we talk about small capitalists. Grants and subsidy provided under the central schemes will surely help the small units to move forward," said Darshan Dawar, president of the Knitwear Club. 

ICICI Bank Limited here on Wednesday organised Kisan Sampark Programme in Punjab and Haryana as part of its financial inclusion plan that aims at providing banking services in unbanked villages. The programme was simultaneously conducted in 100 villages. It saw a high attendance from small villages around centres such as Ahmedgarh, Jagraon, Doraha, Mullanpurdakha, Sahnewal, Raikot, Nabha, Amloh, Samrala and Khamanon. At this programme, the bank has showcased a list of tailor-made products and services including farmer finance, jewel loans, tractor loans, rural business credit and kisan kalpviraksh, in addition to basic banking facilities such as the savings account.

Hewlett-Packard

Hewlett-Packard India here on Wednesday during a press meet said it aims to increase the reach of HP Original Supplies low-priced ink cartridges in smaller towns and cities across the country. The company is also targeting the proliferation of counterfeit printer supplies (ink and toner cartridges) and is running a global anti-counterfeit program with the intent of safeguarding its customers from the risk of buying a counterfeit cartridge without their knowledge. HP has launched a range of low-cost ink cartridges at a highly affordable price point of Rs 449. These cartridges are designed to yield up to 600 pages of original HP quality documents, resulting in an extremely low cost per page for printing.

Pensioners hold meeting

A meeting of the Punjab Government Pensioners Welfare Association was held here on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Dev Raj Azad. A two-minute silence was observed for the departed soul of Piara Singh Dhillon, who was the president of the association. Baldev Krishan was elected the acting president unanimously by the members. It was announced that election to the post of president will be held in the month of August. The members present during the meeting said that in case the state government fails to give them 8 per cent of the dearness allowance on time they will be forced to go on the path of struggle.

Martyrdom day observed

Devotees partake of langar at Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib on the martyrdom day of Guru Arjan Dev. photo: Inderjeet verma

As seminar dedicated to martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev and a felicitation ceremony was organised by the Punjabi Sahit Akademi here on Wednesday in association with Punjabi Lok Likhari Manch Batala. Surjit Patar was the chief guest for the occasion. Various speakers spoke on Guru Arjan Dev and about how he laid down his life for the sake of his community. Fourteen literary persons were also honoured today by the akademi.

Members of Ahluwalia Youth Welfare Society here on Wednesday paid floral tributes to Guru Arjan Dev on his martyrdom day. A langar was organsied at ward number 29. Speaking on the occasion, Gagandeep Singh, president of the society, said Guru Arjun Dev laid down his life for the sake of his community. He went through various difficult situations. But never lost his self control. "The need of the hour is that young generation should follow the path laid down by the guru and be sincere and determined in whatever they do," he said.

Martyrdom day of Guru Arjan Dev was observed with full religious fervor at all the gurdwaras across the city. Apart from Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib, Gurdwara Gau Ghat, Gurdwara Manji Sahib the day was observed at gurdwara located at every locality of the city. Sweetened water was offered to the people visiting the gurdwaras and devotes also partake langar from the community kitchen. Ragi Jatahs from different parts of the country descended the city to recite in the praise of the guru.

Feed Foundation campaign

Feed Foundation Punjab has launched a campaign to increase the membership of the organisation here on Wednesday. Jaspreet Singh, president of the Feed Foundation said they have planned to strengthen the organisation on ground level. "We have fixed a target to give the membership of body to 50,000 youngsters till 2014, "he said.


Jaspreet Singh, president of the Feed Foundation, addresses a press conference in Ludhiana on Wednesday. Photo: Inderjeet Verma

Punjabi movie stars in city

Starcast of the upcoming Punjabi movie “Oye Hoye Pyaar Ho Gaya” was in the city here on Wednesday. Sharry Mann, Yograj Singh and Jimmy Sharma from the team visited a restaurant at a city mall. It is the debut movie of the singer, Sharry Mann. Niharika Kareer plays the female lead and Binu Dhillon, Sardar Sohi, Rana Ranbir are also the part of the movie. The movie “Oye Hoye Pyaar Ho Gaya” would release on June 14. Sharry Mann is the latest to join the ranks of singer-turned-actors in Punjabi movies.

Concern over thefts

Workers of Bahujan Samaj Party have expressed their concern over the increasing incidents of thefts on the Bahadur-ke-road. They have appealed to the Commissioner of Police to set up a police station on the Bahadur-ke-road so that such incidents can be curbed. A meeting was also organised in this regard. While speaking on the occasion, Ramanjit Lali, a missionary worker of the BSP said that fear has gripped the workers working in the industrial units and they are reluctant for the night shifts due to the insecurity. He appealed to the concerned authorities to take remedial measures as soon as possible. — TNS

Ludhiana, June 12
A motorcycle-borne youth snatched the gold chain and earrings from a woman while she was putting up a cover on her car at Joshi Nagar in Haibowal on Tuesday night. The victim, Santosh Rani Sharma (44) said as it began to drizzle, she went out to put a cover on her car. In the meantime, a clean-shaven youth stopped his motorcycle and sought her help to locate an address.

While Santosh was busy telling him about the address, the youth snatched her gold chain and earrings.

10-year-old drowns

The body of a 10-year-old boy, who was swept away by the current in the Sidhwan Canal, was found at a power station in the South City area. The victim, identified as Sunny of Miller Gunj, was swimming in the canal near Model Town along with his friend who was rescued by the local residents.

High drama at hospital

High drama took place outside a private hospital on the Jassian road following the death of an 80-year-old man. The man, identified as Praladh, had been undergoing treatment at the hospital for the past few days. His condition deteriorated on Tuesday night and he died. His relatives staged a dharna and demanded action against the hospital authorities. They alleged that the hospital authorities had operated upon Praladh and taken out his kidney without their permission.

Property dealer booked

Celebratory firing shots proved to be costly for a property dealer of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar after the area residents reported the matter to the police. The incident took place at GTB Nagar on Chandigarh Road where Parminder Singh, a property dealer and resident of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, had gone to his friend's house. At midnight, he fired shots into the air, which caused panic in the area.

Gang busted

With the arrest of four persons, the CIA-I wing of the police claims of have busted a gang of snatchers and vehicle thieves. Three auto-rickshaws, three mobiles and three motorcycles have been recovered from their possession. The accused, who were nabbed for Sufian Chowk here on Wednesday, have been identified as Parkash Thapa, Jasbir Thapa, Raju and Amandeep Singh.

Jagraon, June 12
With the arrest of a woman, the local police has claimed to bust a gang, which allegedly duped several people of lakhs of rupees. The police claimed that the members of this gang have been active throughout Punjab and several people from different parts of the state have also fallen prey to them so far.

The accused woman has been identified as Harpreet Kaur, a resident of Dashmesh Nagar, Ludhiana. Harpreet was arrested by a police team from the CIA staff, Jagraon, yesterday evening.

Giving details of the incident, Jagraon CIA staff in charge, inspector Prem Singh said that the police received some complaints in which the people had mentioned of being duped of money by fake bank employees.

Inspector Prem said, a special police team was formed to trace the members of this gang following the complaints by the local residents. "During the course of investigation, it was found that the members of this gang duped the people by posing as bank employees. The accused collected money from people on the pretext of opening their bank accounts," said Inspector Prem.

He further informed that the police has identified nine persons, who have been members of this gang so far. "The gang included six male and three female members. Apart from Jagraon, this gang duped residents of many other areas of Punjab. The members of this gang are also wanted by Moga, Ludhiana, Sahnewal, Khanna, Phillaur and Doraha police in various cases registered against them," stated Inspector Prem Singh.

Inspector Prem Singh revealed that apart from Harpreet, the other members of the gang include Navreet Kaur, Pooja, Amit Tiwari, Sanjeev Sharma, Parshant Kumar all residents of New Shimlapuri Ludhiana and Harjot Singh, Balwinder alias Kaka of Sahnewal and Sanjay Kumar of Khanna.

However, no other member of the gang has been arrested by the police so far. "The police has launched a manhunt and the raids are being conducted at various places to nab the remaining members of this gang," he added.