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dengue scare
Contaminated Tung Dhab endangering lives
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Khaira, Sharma slugfest gets murky
MLA Sodhi leads delegation to Pak, meets Nawaz Sharif
Waterlogging: Muktsar admn gets
Rs 62 cr
Non-operational buses cut deep into PRTC finances
Cong MP Preneet meets Patiala braveheart
Kabbadi player’s death
Rtd bureaucrat Jaspal to be charge-sheeted
SLIET student dies as vehicle overturns on campus
Rajindra Hospital staff to boycott work from Oct 16
New industrial policy to be released this month: Mittal
State directed to pay staff of cooperative banks
Four booked for gangrape
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dengue scare
Ludhiana, October 14 The Ludhiana Municipal Corporation has started ward-wise fogging in the city. Deputy Commissioner Rajat Aggarwal has also instructed the municipal authorities to undertake preventive measures to check the spread of the disease. The Health Department is conducting an awareness drive. There are 13 block-level civil hospitals in the district. Mild dengue cases can be treated there. For serious patients, these hospitals are ill-equipped as these do not have blood transfusion facility, lack medical experts and proper infrastructure. Thus, patients with severe illness are referred to the Lord Mahavir Civil Hospital, Ludhiana. Patiala: Relying only on Mac-Elisa test for dengue diagnosis, the Health Department and Government Medical College, Patiala, are not bothering about the rising number of cases tested positive for the disease through NS1 Elisa test. Official figures state that 194 dengue cases have been reported so far based on Mac-Elisa test in the district. Of these, 49 patients were tested positive at Rajindra Hospital this month alone. While the health authorities claim that no one died of dengue in the district so far, around four persons lost their lives after they were tested positive for dengue through NS1 test. Aparajita Paul, a student of Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala, had died at Columbia Asian Hospital last month where she was admitted following high fever. The test done by the hospital confirmed that she had dengue. However, her Mac-Elisa test was conducted at Rajindra Hospital which turned out to be negative. Similarly, three others had also died of dengue which the health officials are yet to confirm. A survey of private hospitals suggests that at least 50 suspected cases of dengue are being reported everyday. Doctors at private hospitals and laboratories are of the view that anyone who is positive for NS1 Elisa is confirmed to be infected by dengue. Dr Virinder Singh Mohi, Civil Surgeon, Patiala, and Dr VK Sharda, Medical Superintendent, Rajindra Hospital, say NS1 Elisa is an antigen test and it detects the presence of virus, which may not be dengue. It is only after the antibody test they can ascertain whether a patient has developed the disease, they added. Both the Health Department and the Patiala Municipal Corporation have not reportedly undertaken preventive measures. Health officials are just visiting the houses of dengue patients and distributing medicines while the MC has not done fogging even in areas which reported high number of dengue cases. Jalandhar: The district has reported 37 dengue cases with no loss of life so far this year. There are a large number of healthcare institutes in the city, but only 27 are in touch with the Civil Hospital. A majority of other hospitals and clinics hardly bother to inform the district health authorities about the suspected and confirm dengue patients treated by them. Dr Satish Sood, Epidemiologist, said 37 dengue cases were confirmed out of 239 blood tests conducted on suspected patients by the district health authorities. Out of the positive patients, 33 belong to Jalandhar district while two are from Kapurthala, one each from Hoshiarpur and Nawanshahr, Dr Sood said, adding the precautionary measures taken by the department before setting in of rainy season helped in controlling the breeding of tiger mosquito. The district had reported 600 dengue cases in 2010. Amritsar: As many as 33 cases of dengue were reported in various hospitals this season so far. The actual number of cases could be more since certain private hospitals are not reporting to the Health Department about the number of such patients being handled by them. Dr Yash Mitra, Civil Surgeon, said though instructions had been given to private hospitals and clinics to report the number of patients, a number of them were not complying. He said private hospitals had been relying on NS1 test instead of the mandatory Maclisa which was available at the Government Medical College here. He said the situation was not alarmingly in the city. There were reports that a person had died of dengue at a private hospital last month. But, health officials claim that the 48-year-old was suffering from diabetes and other complications. Sangrur: As many as 12 confirmed cases of dengue were reported from various parts of the district. The patients belonged to Sangrur, Sunam, Ghanauri Khurd (Dhuri), Kup Kalan (near Ahmedgarh), Ahmedgarh, Dhuri, Malerkotla and Banbhaura (Dhuri). Dr Subodh Gupta, Civil Surgeon, said no death due to dengue had been reported from any part of the district so far. He said dengue wards had been set up in sub-division and civil hospitals, equipped with medicines. Besides, spray of medicines was also being done to check the breeding of dengue mosquitoes. At the Sangrur Civil Hospital, a special ward in the emergency wing has been set up with four beds to treat dengue patients, but no such patient has been admitted so far. Vijay Kumar Gupta: Executive Officer Sangrur Municipal Council, said the council had already started fogging in city areas for which a 15-day schedule had been prepared. Muktsar: Unlike previous years, the situation is under control in Muktsar district with only six dengue cases reported so far. Dr Gulshan Rai, Civil Surgeon, said four persons were found positive in Muktsar town, one each in Thandewala village and Malout town. "All of them were hospitalised and treated for the disease. No loss of life has been reported due to dengue this year," he said. The district has already witnessed huge destruction due to water-logging. The stagnant rainwater had posed a challenge for the administration. Health officials said they had pressed into service fogging machines and conducted surveys and awareness drives. In 2010 and 2011, a large number of dengue cases were reported in the district and had claimed several lives. Faridkot: Demanding arrears of salaries, sweepers in the town are on strike for the last five days. Besides, the company engaged in collecting garbage from Kotkapura is not doing so since October 1 due to non-payment of its contract money. Resultantly, heaps of garbage are lying on roadsides providing breeding ground for mosquitoes at a time when dengue is spreading its tentacles in the region. While the Health Department has confirmed only six dengue cases in the district so far, most of the private clinics have six or more dengue patients each under their treatment. The prevalence of the disease is comparatively lower than the previous years, said Dr Vimal Garg of Faridkot. Only in certain cases the disease turns life-threatening, said Dr Harjinder Singh, adding that with the recent rain and insanitary conditions in the town, the disease was bound to spread. Dr Baldev Singh Sahota, Civil Surgeon, said there was no panic in the area. The department had made sufficient arrangements and was taking preventive steps to stop mosquito breeding, he added. In contrast, all six patients tested positive for dengue were referred to DMC, Ludhiana, and GGSMCH, Faridkot. Barnala: Three dengue cases have been reported in the district so far. Dr Gian Chand, Assistant Civil Surgeon said two patients were from Barnala and one from Handhiaya. He said all patients were now discharged from hospital. He said the district health authorities had started spraying anti-larva medicine in vulnerable areas. At the Barnala Civil Hospital, a room had also been prepared with four beds for dengue patients. (With inputs from Anupam Bhagria, Gagan K. Teja, PK Jaiswar, Sushil Goyal, Balwant Garg and Archit Watts) Damage control
Official speak Despite confusion over the actual number of dengue cases, the prevalence of the disease is comparatively lower than the previous years. The situation is certainly not alarmingly Row over actual number of cases Govt Vs private While government hospitals are relying on Mac-Elisa for dengue diagnosis, most private hospitals and clinics opt for NS1 Elisa which they claim is more reliable during the initial stage of the disease NS1 Elisa Also called card test is an antigen test that detects dengue virus in the initial days of infection with over 99 per cent accuracy. Most private clinics are relying on this test Mac-Elisa It is an antibody test where antibodies formed against the dengue virus are diagnosed after seven to nine days of infection. If this test is done in the initial days, it is bound to give a negative result
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Contaminated Tung Dhab endangering lives
Amritsar, October 14 With no sewage treatment plant, the residents are forced to consume unsafe water and endure the foul smell emanating from the drains. No steps have yet been initiated by the state government or the local authorities to treat the polluted waters of the Tung Dhab drain, which passes through different parts of the city. Amritsar district, shaped like a trapezium, lies between the Ravi and the Beas. But the waste, domestic, industrial or agriculture, is not discharged directly into either of these rivers, but through the Tung Dhab drain. A natural drain, it joins the Hudiara drain that immerses with the Ravi flowing towards Lahore in Pakistan. But before that, it badly affects the ground water. These drains, meant for carrying stormwater, are being used for discharging untreated solid waste (municipal and industrial ) from the city as well as agriculture waste, leading to contamination of underground water. The state government has done nothing concrete to address the grave problem. It was proposed to install sewerage treatment plants (STP) on the drain. But so far the proposals have failed to take off. Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) officials claim that indigenous treatment plants have been installed in almost the entire industrial belt. But sources say that most of these plants remain out of operation, owing to the high operational cost. Consequently, the flow of effluents into nearby drains, that eventually join the Tung Dhab drain, goes unchecked. Guru Nanak Dev Iniversity, the MES and Amritsar Central Jail authorities have installed their own waste treatment plants. At least eight persons died in Mahal village because of contaminated water in 1994. The then Civil Surgeon maintained that water samples collected from the village showed high acidic and bacterial contents owing to its proximity to the Tung Dhab drain. Lakhbir Singh of Mahal village said: "My nephews Bunty (20) and Goldie (18) were born with deformities. No medication has helped.” The PGIMER research wing has warned that areas along the Tung Dhab drain may see children born with congenital diseases. The Guru Nanak Dev University's chemistry department carried out clinical experiments on 11 vegetables grown along the drain. It found a high quantity of heavy metals much beyond the permissible level in each of these. The Genetics Department of the university found that women living in areas close to the Tung drain, such as Mahal village, are susceptible to DNA damage which could lead to cause premature ageing and cancer. About six years have elapsed since the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the Punjab State Human Rights Commission (PSHRC) took suo motu notice of PGI research pertaining to the grave risk posed by the drain not only to te residents but also the flora and fauna. They directed the state government to prepare a time schedule for cleaning the drain. In response, the government submitted an affidavit that it would set up three sewage treatment plants by 2012. The Punjab Pollution Control Board, Zonal Office, Amritsar, has been repeatedly asking the government amd the MC to install such plants, but to no avail.Even as Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board officials claimed to have floated tenders for treatment plants, it will take at least two years to install these. Water Pollution-II
PSHRC notice to govt Chandigarh: Taking suo motu cognisance of the news report “Govt sleeps as toxic waste poisons water in Punjab” published in The Tribune on October 14, the full Bench of the Punjab State Human Rights Commission has sought an explanation from the state authorities concerned. In its orders issued on Monday, the Bench headed by Justice Jagdish Bhalla issued notices to the state government and the Deputy Commissioners of Jalandhar and Kapurthala, asking them to file their reports by December 27. — TNS Tireless crusader Ever since I lost my brother Daya Ram Sharma, a kabaddi player, in 1994, I have been fighting for safe drinking water, but in vain Water samples fail I don't know why the government is sleeping over the problem. Several water samples have been found unfit for human consumption.The Verka drain carries effluents of textile processing mills, iron foundries and dyeing units.This drain falls into the Tung Dhab drain More plants on way There is a proposal to install sewage treatment plants at Khapper Kheri and Basarke Bhainee, costing about Rs 100 crore each. These projects are expected to be executed Ndigenous plants The municipal sewage is more worrying than the industrial waste. As far as industrial waste is concerned, there are 60 industries in Amritsar, each with an indigenous plant
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Khaira, Sharma slugfest gets murky
Chandigarh, October 14 Amid high drama, Sharma and Khaira addressed press conferences back-to-back at the same venue, rubbishing allegations against each other. Sharma described Bajwa, his brother and Khaira as “land mafia” for having “usurped” village common land. Khaira countered the charge, accusing Sharma of having cheated investors by raising housing projects without the mandatory environment clearance. Announcing that he had filed a defamation suit worth Rs 100 crore against Khaira, Sharma claimed that the Bajwa brothers had purchased shamlat land in Bharojian village near Mullanpur, measuring 220 bighas and 6 biswas, and had tried to sell it to a Delhi-based company. They had also bought land measuring 37 kanals in Nadha village near Mullanpur, 344 kanals and 12 marlas in Salamatpur village, SAS Nagar, 39 kanals in Hoshiarpur village and two pieces of land measuring 13 kanals and 9 marlas and 2 kanals and 11 marlas in Karoran village, SAS Nagar. Sharma said the land at Karoran village was being sold in the shape of plots. He said Khaira had sold a 16-marla plot to one Rekha Kauli through a registered sale deed. Another piece of land measuring 7 marlas was sold to Orchid Space Designs Private Limited that had its office at New Delhi. He said Khaira had usurped land belonging to the Central Government measuring 19 kanals and 3 marlas, khasra no. 104, Kadiana village, Jalandhar district. He said revenue records for 1970-71 and 1995-96 showed the land belonged to the Central Government. This land had been later transferred in Khaira's name. Khaira admitted he had purchased nine kanals. He said when he learnt that was government property, he did not take possession of the land. Sharma said: “The Bajwa brothers, Khaira and their coterie first got power of attorney from illegal occupants of shamlat land. Later, they got the land transferred in their names to sell it further." The illegal occupants, he claimed, were paid a meagre amount. Khaira, on the other hand, called Sharma’s allegations as a cock and bull story. “I donated nine kanals to the government. Why cannot Sharma also donate his two controversial projects to the government,” asked Khaira. He reiterated that Sharma had not taken environment clearance for his mega housing projects. He produced documents to support his claim that Sharma had illegally occupied a piece of land from villagers of Gazipur for his housing projects. Khaira said during the next elections, he would be contesting again from Bholath and that he had no political ambitions to contest from Sharma’s constituency, as was being speculated. Charges Sharma cheated investors by raising housing projects without the mandatory environment clearance Counter charges The land mafia comprising the Bajwa brothers and Khaira has usurped shamlat land in connivance with officials
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MLA Sodhi leads delegation to Pak, meets Nawaz Sharif
Ferozepur, October 14 The assurance was given to an Indian delegation led by Congress MLA Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi who called on him at his farmhouse at Raiwind in Lahore yesterday. Talking to The Tribune over the phone from Pakistan, Sodhi said during the two-hour meeting, the Pakistani premier promised them that he would take up the matter with his Indian counterpart, saying that Pakistan was keen on opening another trade route in this region to facilitate the bilateral trade and at the same time improving the socio-economic conditions of people residing in the border areas. Sodhi said Nawaz Sharif also expressed keenness to relax visa norms to facilitate the movement of tourists and businessmen across each side of the border.
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Waterlogging: Muktsar admn gets
Rs 62 cr
Muktsar, October 14 The amount will be disbursed among the people who suffered losses due to damage to their crops, houses and livestock. — TNS
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Non-operational buses cut deep into PRTC finances
Ludhiana, October 14 Data procured for the year (October 9, 2012 to October 8, 2013) reveals that the corporation has been losing several lakh rupees every month as 98 of the total 678 of its ordinary buses were not operational. Of these 98, 49 were in the workshop. For the 98 buses that were not operational, PRTC was losing about 39,200 km per day as each bus runs about 400 km a day. “The loss comes out to be Rs 3 per km and therefore, the daily loss turns out to be Rs 1.17 lakh. Moreover, since PRTC also paid Rs 36 lakh Road Tax per month to the state government the loss is dearer,” said a PRTC official requesting anonymity. Out of these 98 buses, 41 buses could not be plied on state roads due to staff shortage while the remaining buses were not operational because of break failure. The data showed that Sangrur, Chandigarh, Faridkot, Ludhiana and Barnala districts were suffering from a staff crunch. The only saving grace for PRTC is that 247 of its buses were plied by private operators. PRTC General Manager OP Khichi admitted that the corporation was suffering from deep losses due to non-operational buses. “The corporation is hit by several factors, including staff crunch, contractual system and outsourcing of vehicles. We need to Grim Scenario
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Cong MP Preneet meets Patiala braveheart
Patiala, October 14 The incident occurred around 5.30 am on Saturday when Manpreet, staying a paying guest, took an auto-rickshaw to the local bus stand for her journey to Faridkot. The driver instead of taking her to the bus stand drove her to a secluded road near Punjabi University on the pretext of carrying other passengers. He then tried to snatch her bag and mobile phone but when she resisted, attacked her with a screwdriver. She sustained serious injuries on her neck, abdomen and one of her lungs were punctured. Despite bleeding profusely, the girl chased the driver who drove away with her belongings. The victim then called up her relatives who took her to Rajindra Hospital. The MP said she had set an example for other girls. She said, “Manpreet has displayed an amazing fighting spirit. Despite suffering from brutal injuries, she fought on and therefore, I will recommend her name for the national bravery award.” She directed Deputy Medical Superintendent Dr Harshinder Kaur to prepare a detailed report of the girl so that her case could be forwarded for the award. Perneet Kaur expressed anguish over the deteriorating law and order in the city. “The shocking incident speaks volumes about the lawlessness in the city. The police should nab the accused at the earliest and take strict action against him,” said the MP. Investigating Officer Harmanjit Singh Cheema said they were working hard to arrest the accused. “The operation is taking time as there are over 3,500 auto-rickshaws in the city. We will nab the accused soon,” he said. Meanwhile, a delegation of Punjabi University students met police officers and sought the immediate arrest of the accused.
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Kabbadi player’s death
Bathinda, October 14 "There was no dereliction of duty or negligence on the part of any of our employees," said municipal commissioner Vipul Ujwal. "It looks like a freak accident," he said. Talwinder's parents are too shocked to react to their son's death. His coach Harjinder Singh alleged sheer negligence on part of the MC authorities that caused the death. Talwinder Singh was the only child of his parents, who make a modest living. "The family had pinned its hopes on Talwinder's rising kabaddi career," said Harjinder Singh. The preliminary investigation refers to checking of streetlights in the city as a part of maintenance works. A day before the incident (October 10), the light point had been checked. The department report did not point to the need for any repair. The incident took place around 10.30 pm on October 10, when Talwinder, a young kabaddi player from Bhawanigarh, touched the live wire while trying to cross the road. The pole is installed at the divider on a 100-ft road and is frequently used by students. "The choke was out of order. So, the wires were live. Despite the fact that it is a fenced area, people continue to use it and put their lives in danger," said Ujwal. Coach Harjinder recalled the sequence leading up to the tragedy. He said the same day another junior class student of Dasmesh School too had received a shock from the same pole. "The school guard told us that the current was leaking from the pole," Harjinder said, adding it would seem the MC authorities did nothing. His statement is also a part of the report that has been given to the municipal commissioner. Harjinder said as soon as the DSP (detective) Ranjeet Singh was informed about the incident, he reached the hospital and called the SDO of the power department. "The SDO checked the pole and found current running in it. The SDO then said that the pole fell under the MCB. Thereafter, the DSP directed the SDO to disconnect mains connection so that more lives could be saved," he said. DSP Ranjeet Singh said that police was yet to receive the report from MCB. "We will decide about the FIR lodged in this case only after receiving a copy of the report," he said. Promising career cut short On October 10 - the day Talwinder died - his team from Sangrur stood second in the Punjab State School Games in the under-19 circle kabaddi events. The player was staying at Dasmesh School along with his team mates. Following his death, the police has registered a case of death due to negligence under Section 304 (A) against Municipal Corporation officials.
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Rtd bureaucrat Jaspal to be charge-sheeted
Chandigarh, October 14 The retired IAS officer had refuted the charges, saying he had returned the items and was being unnecessarily harassed. Jaspal may face a cut in pension if the government decides to take action against him. The official got these electronic gadgets issued in his name and have been in his possession ever since. These gadgets belonged to the PRTC and Punjab Roadways. "I returned everything belonging to the government departments after retirement. I have not received any notice yet. I will give a befitting reply once I receive one. I will not shy away from going to the court if it comes to that," said Jaspal. The state government on September 17 wrote to the Personnel and Training Department, Union Government, seeking the green signal to issue him a charge-sheet, a development confirmed by the Secretary, Personnel, Punjab, Anirudh Tiwari. Sources said as Jaspal had not returned the gadgets, the state government had held back his gratuity. When contacted, Jaspal said he had decided to approach the High Court to get his dues. Of late, the state government has taken strict action against IAS officials. Former Patiala Deputy Commissioner, Vikas Garg was booked in a Vigilance case.
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SLIET student dies as vehicle overturns on campus
Sangrur, October 14 SLIET Public Relations Officer SS Punia said the mishap occured when these students were returning to the campus in the tractor-trailer. They had gone to immerse the idol of Goddess Durga in the Harigarh canal near Longowal. All the injured were admitted to the civil hospital where Mahesh Kumar was declared brought dead. Deputy Commissioner Dr Indu Malhotra, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mandeep Singh Sidhu and Civil Surgeon Dr Subodh Gupta rushed to the civil hospital and supervised the arrangements. The SSP said all the injured students were around 20 years old. He said three of the 14 injured, Parveen Kumar, Subodh Kumar and Alok Kumar, were in a critical condition and had been shifted to Government Rajindra Hospital,
Patiala.
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Rajindra Hospital staff to boycott work from Oct 16
Patiala, October 14 Karamjeet Kaur Aulakh, president of the Nursing and Para-Medical Employees Association, said while contractual employees were paid Rs 7,500 per month along with 10 per cent annual increment, their regular counterparts were getting over Rs 50,000 per month.—TNS
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New industrial policy to be released this month: Mittal
Ropar, October 14 The state government had rolled out the new policy in June, offering fiscal incentives for 7 to 13 years, depending upon the scale of investments. The relaxation in taxes, including VAT, stamp duty, electricity duty, property tax and central sales tax (CST) was announced for new industrial units in the new policy. Mittal said entrepreneurs appeared keen to invest in state during Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal’s visit to Bangalore early this month. Now the state would also send a delegation to Mumbai to invite investors, entrepreneurs and industrialists to participate in the first Global Investors’ Meet - “Progressive Punjab” to be held on December 9 and 10, he added. The Industry Minister said the area from Mohali to Mullanpur would also be developed for the IT industry. On the recent controversy over laying the foundation stone of cancer centre in Sangrur, Mittal blamed the Congress for creating differences between Centre and state governments. He alleged the Congress had damaged the federal structure of the country by ignoring the state leadership. The incentives
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State directed to pay staff of cooperative banks
Chandigarh, October 14 “It is true that the festival season is about to begin but to ameliorate the problem it is the State that should pay these employees and we expect the government to sort out this problem in the next couple of days,” ruled the Bench of Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Augustine George Masih. The ruling came on a petition filed by Gulshan Kumar against the State of Punjab and others respondents, through counsel Kulbir Singh Sekhon. As the petition came up for hearing, the Bench took up an affidavit filed by Punjab Special Secretary, Cooperation. “The policy decision has been placed on record in terms whereof 926 posts have been abolished, 97 new posts created and 1,953 posts have been allowed under the regular head,” the Bench observed. Punjab Additional Advocate-General also told the Bench that in view of restructuring of the Cooperative Department, all employees working in the field offices of the department with deputy registrars/assistant registrars/ joint registrars, but drawing salaries from central cooperative banks have now been transferred back to banks, for which salary be paid by the Punjab Government. It is true that the festival season is about to begin but to ameliorate the problem it is the State that should pay these employees and we expect the government to sort out this problem in the next couple of days.
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Four booked for gangrape
Ludhiana, October 14 The victim, who is undergoing treatment at the civil hospital, arrived in the city few months ago. She resided in Shivaji Nagar and worked as a maidservant. In her complaint, she said Kawaljit took her to his house in New Janta Nagar yesterday on the pretext of offering her a well-paid job. However, upon entering the house the accused raped her. In the meantime, Taranjit Singh, Rinku and Narinder Singh also arrived and raped her, she said. She said she escaped from the house on the pretext of going to the toilet Thereafter, she informed her relatives about the incident and was rushed to civil hospital for treatment. The police recorded her statement and registered a case. Shimlapuri SHO Varinder Singh said, “We have launched a manhunt to nab the accused.”
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Patiala, October 14
Bathinda, October 14
