The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	No let-up in smuggling into Central Jail Contraband, mobile phones continue to be sneaked into prison; two undertrials caught with heroin a day before GS Paul Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 18 There has been no let-up in the smuggling of contraband items and mobile phones into the Amritsar Central Jail premises even as the prison authorities have stepped up vigil and also installed various gadgets around the place. A few months ago, the jail authorities had got installed an X-ray machine to scan and check the kin of the jail inmates who came to meet them. The constraint here is that the machine can spot metallic objects, including mobile phones, but cannot detect narcotic substances. Two undertrials, identified as Surjit Singh of Kot Isse Khan and Chander Mohan of Khandwala in Chheharta, were booked on Thursday for possessing 32 grams and 3 grams of heroin respectively. Officials said the inmates adopt innovative techniques of smuggling drugs and tobacco products inside the jail. The incidents of stuffing them in articles, such as in raw vegetables or daily use items like soap or tooth paste tube etc, have surfaced many times. Narinder Singh, an inmate already serving trial under the NDPS Act, was caught with a packet containing 10 grams of heroin which he had concealed in his rectum. The visitors, sources say, play a vital role in passing on prohibited material. In this case also, Manpreet Singh of Ajnala, had come to visit Narinder. Dodging the guards, he handed over the packet containing drugs to Narinder who put it in his rectum. The connivance of jail staff too can not be denied. A few months ago, 8 grams of heroin was recovered from the possession of a Punjab Armed Police (PAP) home guard Hardyal Singh who was deployed in the jail. He had concealed 8 grams heroin in empty capsule shells. A frequent recurrence in the cases of recovery of mobile phones and narcotics from inmates during routine checking testifies the fact that they leave no stone unturned to sneak in narcotics and mobile phones into the jail. On September 12, two undertrials lodged in Amritsar Central Jail, identified as Pardip Kumar and Sandip Singh, were caught with 19.6 grams of heroin and 3.5 gram of intoxicant material, respectively. On August 12, jail officials had recovered narcotics from the possession of an inmate, identified as Vivek Kumar alias Billa. RK Sharma, Deputy Superintendent, Amritsar Central Jail, said, “We have a multi-tier security checking system in place on a routine basis. Besides, there are X-ray machines and other searching gadgets with us and, therefore, so many seizures of narcotics and mobile phones have been made. The inmates try new methods to sneak in drugs, mobile phones and other prohibited material into the jail.” “The incident of an inmate concealing heroin in his rectum has shocked us. Neverthless, we are trying our best to stop such incidents from happening,” he added. Recent Incidents On Thursday, two undertrials, identified as Surjit Singh of Kot Isse Khan and Chander Mohan of Khandwala in Chheharta, were caught with heroin An inmate Narinder Singh was caught recently with a packet containing 10 grams of heroin which he had concealed in his rectum. Manpreet Singh of Ajnala had come to visit Narinder and handed over the packet to him A few months ago, 8 grams of heroin was recovered from the possession of a PAP home guard deployed in the jail On September 12, two undertrials, identified as Pardip Kumar and Sandip Singh, were caught with 19.6 grams of heroin and 3.5 grams of intoxicant material, respectively On August 12, jail officials recovered narcotics from the possession of an inmate, identified as Vivek Kumar
	Commuters have a tough time reaching their destination Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 18 With heavy VIP movement to attend the state-level foundation stone-laying ceremony of Valmiki Temple at Ram Tirath, commuters today had a tough time moving from one place to the other in the walled city area here. Even as the administration had deployed a heavy police force from the neighbouring districts en route to the venue of the rally, it was a chaotic situation on the key roads till 6 pm. Traffic in-charge D Jatinder said the administration had forewarned through media in advance that routes such as Mahal bus stand to Ram Tirath, Chogawan to Mahal, Manawala bus stand to Ajnala-Chogawan road and Ranike to Chogawan should be avoided between 7 am to 5 pm. It was due to the faulty alternate route plan or lack of its proper implementation that the commuters, especially those living in residential localities on Ram Tirath Road bypass, had to face difficulty leaving their places or coming back home. The commuters complained that it was wrong to depute the policemen engaged from the neighbouring district on roads since they had little idea directing the vehicles through alternate routes in the city. Manmohan Singh, a resident of Anmol Enclave, said, “I fail to understand the logic behind putting the police personnel from the neighbouring district on roads. There was no signage on roads to indicate alternate routes. I had to drive an extra distance of about 20 kilometres from Majitha Road to Ram Tirath bypass while coming back home. I had to take the GNDU university route,” he said. Jagdish Singh, a resident of Hall Gate, said he was caught in traffic jam caused due to sealing of the area to facilitate the arrival of VVIPs. “I was to visit Mahal village and then come back. Even as I took along a newspaper cutting of alternate route plan with me, it was so confusing that I could not reach my destination. I was astonished to find that no policeman was ready to tell me about what route I should take,” Jagdish Singh said. Many commuters waded through the traffic by opting wrong routes and drove at unusually high speed. Some key roads were found unmanned as well. Commuters could be openly seen flouting traffic norms while crossing Kitchlew Chowk, Taranwala Pul and the elevated road in a bid to save fuel and time.
	Man, daughters booked for Rs 20 lakh fraud Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 18 The Chheharta police has booked a man and his two daughters for allegedly duping a family of Rs 20 lakh on pretext of getting them permanently settled in Canada after procuring permanent residency there. Harjitpal Singh of Kot Khalsa, the complainant, told the police that he sold his land for Rs 22 lakh. He said the accused Sukhwinder Singh of Bhalla Colony in Chheharta took the money in installments on the pretext of procuring permanent residency of Canada for settling his family there. On the basis of his statement, the police has booked Sukhwinder and his two daughters Sukhmit Kaur and Harmit Kaur under Sections 420, 120-B of the IPC. No arrest has been made so far. The police said the case was registered following an inquiry conducted by ADCP city-II Amrik Singh Pawar and getting legal opinion from DA Legal. Raids were being conducted to nab the culprit, the police added. 8 booked for loan fraud The city police has booked eight persons, including a bank manager and a clerk, in a fraud case in which several persons had raised loans to the tune of Rs 10 lakh on basis of forged documents. Among those booked are Om Parkash, Kiran Kumari, Randhir Kumar, Karamjit Singh (manager), Tilak Raj (clerk), Ramesh Kumar and an unidentified advocate. Gursharan Singh, the branch manager of State bank of Bikaner and Jaipur located on Lawrence Road, told the police that Om Parkash and Kiran Kumari took a loan of Rs 10 lakh from the bank but they did not pay any installment. He said later during investigations their documents were found to be fake. The police said a case under Section 420, 465, 467, 468, 471 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been registered at the Civil Lines police station in this regard. Further investigations were under progress while no arrest has been made so far, the police further said.
	Fusion serves as medium to reach international audience: Arif Lohar Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 18 Popular Pakistani folk artist Arif Lohar mesmerised the audience with yet another scintillating performance at the International Sufi Fetsival. "Performing in India has always been special to me. The love and respect that I get from people here is amazing," said Lohar. He is the recipient of the highest civil award of Pakistan. "Indian artists too enjoy iconic status in Pakistan. There are no borders in our world. India and Pakistan are like two brothers with a common ground called music," said the singer. "Both the governments should try to promote such cultural exchange by relaxing some rules and regulations for the artists," he said. He took the western world by storm with his fusion album 21st Century Jugni hit a chord with the youth performing the same at MTV Coke Studio and got recognition in Bollywood through films like Agent Vinod and Cocktail. For Lohar fusion is something he enjoys not just as an artist but also as an ambassador of traditional folk music. "Originality is never compromised but fusion does provide an outlet to reach out to the international audience. "But you have to practice caution as things that need not be touched should remain like that. Like a qawalli," he cautions. Arif, who usually sings with native instrument chimta, said, "I feel every star has his or her own style of performing. I feel very happy when people recognise me as "dum gutgoo" singer. I think Sufi music needs to be popular and the time has come now." The concluding day of the festival also saw performances by Prahlad Tipyani and Tarun Khyani.
	400 live bullets found at Gobindgarh Fort PK Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 18 Over 400 live bullets supposedly belonging to the pre-Independence era have been found during the undergoing conservation work at the historic Gobindgarh Fort by the workers executing the project. The bullets are contained in a worn out iron box. The matter was brought to the notice of the police station concerned. Confirming the incident, DSP Gurpreet Singh said the cartridges had been taken into possession and would be examined by the experts. "Year 1944 has been inscribed on the 402 bullets. But the exact description about them would be cleared only after consulting the ammunition experts," said the DSP. The police has also consulted Army officials keeping in view that these bullets could belong to the Indian Army. "Earlier, we thought since this fort was under the possession of the Army, they might have kept these bullets here in the fort. But they have denied it," he said. The fort was under the possession of Army before it was handed over to the state Tourism Department to carry out conservation work. Army officials clarified to the police that the weapons, for which these bullets are meant for, are no longer in use at present. The incident came to light when the workers engaged in the preservation work discovered a wall which was hollow from inside.
	Pay more for ownership transfer of used vehicles to another district Manmeet Singh Gill Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 18 Those who want to buy second-hand vehicles will have to shell out more money at the District Transport Office (DTO) as the fee for transfer of ownership of used vehicles from one district to another has been increased. The fee for transfer of two-wheelers has been increased from Rs 30 to Rs 150 while for three-wheelers it has been increased from Rs 150 to Rs 1,000. The new fee structure would pinch the buyers of used four-wheelers as they would have to pay Rs 3,000 now as compared to the earlier Rs 100 only. They will have to pay additional Rs 3,000 to get the Registration Certificate (RC) changed to their name. Even the owners of two-wheelers and three-wheelers will have to pay Rs 250 and Rs 1,000 respectively to get the name on the RC changed. “Earlier the transfer fee was applicable to second-hand vehicles which were purchased from other states. But now the government has applied fee on even those vehicles which bear the registration number of other districts. The move would affect those who are not well-off as they purchase used vehicles mostly,” Congress leader Karamjit Singh Rintu said. Those involved in transportation of goods rued that trucks and trailers would be charged more for transfer of RCs and change of ownership from one district to another. Bagel Singh, a transporter, said, “It would cost an additional Rs 15,000 if one buys a vehicle from another district.” The transfer fee from one district to another and change of name on the RC for six and more wheeled vehicles would be Rs 7,500 separately. Surinder Singh, a local agent dealing in the sale and purchase of used vehicles, said, “The increase in fee will affect the market of used vehicles most. While a person can buy a modest second-hand car for Rs 1.5 lakh or less, the additional expenditure of Rs 6000 would trouble him.” Fee for used vehicle transfer Two-wheelers Earlier: Rs 30 New: Rs 150 Three-wheelers Earlier: Rs 150 New: Rs 1,000 Four-wheelers Earlier: Rs 100 New: Rs 3,000 Six or above wheeled Earlier: NA New: Rs 7,500
	Paddy procurement yet to begin at 6 centres Tribune News Service Manmeet Singh Gill Amritsar, October 18 Even after 17 days of state government announcing initiation of paddy procurement process in the state, it has not seen light of the day at atleast six procurement centers in the district. The district has 31 procurement centres (mandi) in total. While the farmers complained that they are forced to transport their agricultural produce to far-off mandis, the district officials claimed that procurement process has not started at only those centers where the quantity of produce is not much. The farmers near the Fatehgarh Churia Mandi which has not started purchase till date stated that the centre used to be active previously. “We used to sell our produce at this centre as it is near to our lands so we could save on transportation costs,” said Satnam Singh, a local farmer. The mandi is otherwise active when the wheat crop arrives. The officials of the District Food and Civil Supplies Department said that it would become active in next few days when Basmati varieties would ripen. Even as the government procurement agencies are not purchasing paddy from farmers at this station, private players are active. However, private players offer a lesser price than the Minimum Support Price announced for the crop. Another farmer, Jeevan Singh said, “The farmers are at a loss if they sell their produce to private buyers as they give Rs 100-150 less than the MSP.” He said that administration should make sure that government agencies buy crop from all centers. The farmers at Awan Mandi near Ramdas stated that as the agencies had not transported the produce bought from farmers to their godowns, it has created a shortage of space for new arrival. Meanwhile, when contacted, District Food and Civil Supplies Controller, Talwinder Singh Chopra said all centres where there was an expectation of substantial quantity of produce coming to the market had already been activated. He said only those centers where farmers had sown other than common varieties are not active. He denied that farmers are facing a problem because of non-active mandis.
	CM inaugurates art exhibition, hails artists Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 18 Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today hailed the artists as 'builders of society' saying they highlights the positives and negatives in any society. Calling artists the guiding light, he said the art is the manifestation of man’s aspiration for ‘good world’ around. While inaugurating the 79th All-India Exhibition of Art-2013 at Indian Academy of Fine Arts (IAFA) here today, he honoured top 21 artists from the country and announced a grant of Rs 5 lakh for the art gallery. The exhibition displays the collection of 247 artists from all over the country, which will stay displayed at the art gallery. State BJP Chief Kamal Sharma was also one of the guests at the inauguration. IAFA president Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina who submitted a memorandum of demands to the Chief Minister, including the encouragement for artists from the government and more infrastructure. Also demanding the release of Rs.1.5 crore grant that had already been sanctioned for the Art Gallery by the government and vacating shops from the gallery space for creating more art displays. Chinna also addressed some important issues with the Chief Minister.
	No clue found in suicide case Amritsar, October 18 Mystery shrouds the death of Rattan Singh, a resident of PNT quarters, near Golebagh who was found hanging with the ceiling fan here last evening. The police has found no suicide note from his residence. The deceased hailed from Bulandshehar, Uttar Pradesh and had been working with Bhartiya Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) at Albert Road here for around four years. His marriage was slated to be held next month. Lakhwinder Singh, in-charge Durgiana police chowki and investigating officer,said the deceased deleted all the call details and messages from his mobile phone before taking the extreme step. The incident came to light when he failed to reach office. When his colleagues reached his residence they knocked at the door which was bolted from inside.When they peeped through a window of his bedroom they found him hanging with the ceiling fan. After post-mortem the police handed over the body to his family. — TNS
	schools and colleges Govt Sen Sec School win basketball tourney Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 18 The basketball team of Government Senior Secondary School won the under-19 Punjab State School Basket Ball Tournament (Girls) held recently at Bathinda. As many as 22 districts of the state participated in the tournament and the school team won the match after defeating Ludhiana 43-14. Principal Mandeep Kaur said the team will now represent Punjab at national-level basketball competition, to be held again at Bathinda. She congratulated and honoured the players along with their coach Ravinder Singh Binda. Kabaddi championship Khalsa College emerged champions in the Inter-college Kabbadi Championship for the fifth consecutive year. The event was held at Guru Nanak Dev University campus. Khalsa College defeated Lyalpur Khalsa College Jalandhar in the finals with 27-08 points. Principal Daljit Singh congratulated the team and sports in- charge Bacahnpal. He said six players of the college including Anil Kumar, Gurdial Singh, Jugraj Singh, Gagandeep Singh, Lovepreet and Balkaran had been selected for the All-India Inter-University camp. Shuttlers win prizes The shuttlers and roller skaters from Spring Dale Senior School, won cash prizes and medals in the recently-held badminton and roller skating tournaments, respectively. In roller skating, Pranav Vyom and Aksh Gurnain Singh, bagged gold medals in the road race in the U-17 boys and in the In-Line and Quad events during the Amritsar Schools District Roller Skating Competition. Pranav Vyom also bagged a silver medal in the rink race-II and a bronze in the rink race-I, while Aksh Gurnain Singh bagged a silver in rink race-II. In the U-14 girls category, Shivya Vyom, aced the Quads by winning a gold in rink race-I and a silver in road race, while Ravneet Kaur bagged silver medals in rink race-I and rink race-II in the Quads in the U-14 girls category. In the Cash Prize Badminton Tournament held at Pathankot, Garvpreet Singh and Mehuldeep Singh, won a prize of Rs 5,000, another cash prize won by Garvpreet Singh, who also bagged a silver medal in the U-10 category in the Sub-junior Punjab Open Badminton Tournament held at Mukandpur. Rally organised DAV College for Women organised a rally in which its students took a pledge to vote and choose the most deserving candidate. Posters were made and pasted all over the college. Officiating Principal Manbir Kaushal and other senior teachers were present on the occasion. Dr Neeta Mohindra, Head of Fine Arts Department, addressed the students and exhorted them to vote in favour of deserving candidate. All the teaching and non-teaching staff was directed to forward the message of ‘Be Responsible Be a Voter’ to as many people as possible.