Ludhiana, November 21
The migrant labourer, whose chopped body was found in a vacant plot near Gill Bypass eight days ago, was allegedly killed by his childhood friend. The investigation revealed that extramarital relationship led to the murder.

The police said that the accused and the victim's wife were in an extramarital relationship. In order to marry the woman, the accused identified as Parmod Kumar killed his childhood friend Parmod Kumar and dumped his body in a vacant plot.

The police claimed to have cracked the case today and nabbed the accused. It was on November 14 that the morning walkers spotted the body of a man identified as Parmod Kumar. Joginder Singh, ADCP- III, said that the victim’s body bore wounds inflicted by sharp-edged weapons.

"We had registered a murder case and started the investigation," said Joginder Singh. The footprint, mobile location and blood stains on the victim’s clothes became one of the vital clues in cracking the case.

During the probe, the police suspected the role of a man whose name was also Parmod Kumar. Parmod was a close friend of the victim. Both were residents of Mehrajgunj in Uttar Pradesh.

The namesake (both victim and the accused) studied together. In pursuit of better fortune, both came to Ludhiana and were living in the same migrants quarters at Shimlapuri and were working the same factory unit.

The police today picked up Parmod after his sandal's impression matched with the one lifted from the murder spot. During the interrogation, the accused soon confessed to have committed the offence. Parmod told the police that he had a strained relationship with his wife, as the later could not bear a child.He further told the police that he met victim Parmod's wife Meethi at the wedding of his brother-in-law in Mehrajgunj.

The victim, Parmod Kumar, left from Ludhiana soon after the wedding. After a few meetings, the accused, Parmod Kumar, and Meethi fell in love with each other.Parmod told the police that Meethi had sympathised with him after he told her about his troubled marital life. "Parmod thought Meethi was meant for him, so he began looking for opportunities to kill the victim.

On November 13, the victim told the accused that he was returning home. Parmod told the victim that he should take a television set as he was visiting his native village. Parmod took the victim near Gill Bypass on the pretext of buying a television at a cheap rate. When both of them reached near the vacant plot, the accused attacked the victim. There was minor scuffle, but the victim succumbed to injuries," said Amandeep Singh Brar SHO Sadar.

He told the police that he was planning to return to the village so that both of them(he and Meethi) could elope. The police has registered a murder case under Section 302 of the IPC and started the investigation.

Ludhiana, November 21
In a major breakthrough, the city police have arrested six notorious criminals, including a murder case convict, and claim to have busted a gang of robbers, who struck at a factory unit located at Tajpur nearly 10 days ago and decamped with yarn and canter worth Rs 20 lakh by taking seven watchmen hostage.

The accused have been identified as Rakesh Kumar, alias Raju Vangar, of Focal Point, Varinder Kumar of Jamalpur, Sanjat Kaumar of Durga Colony, Manoj Kumar of Makkar Colony, Mohammed Bilal, alias Vikas, a resident of Tibba Road and rag picker Sadhu Yadav, a resident of Dhandari Kalan.

The police maintain that the accused persons were nabbed last night from a vacant plot near Civil Hospital while they were planning to commit another robbery.

The police recovered .315 countrymade pistol, two live cartridges, two rods and two daggers from the possession of the accused.

During the interrogation, the accused soon confessed to have been behind the sensational robbery of Ganga Hosiery that took place on November 11.

The police have also recovered stolen yarn and canter worth Rs 20 lakh from the possession of the accused.

While addressing a press conference, ACP- Crime GS Bains said Raju Vangar was the kingpin of the gang.

"He has several units of criminals working for him. For each task, he chooses criminals accordingly, commits the crime and later shares the booty with the gang members. Eight members were active member of his gang. He was involved in 45 robberies that have taken place at the factory units in the recent past," said Bains.

Raju's modus operandi was simple. He used to gain access to a factory unit on some pretext and soon his accomplices would barge into the factory unit and overpower the security guard. After thrashing the security guard, they used to tie him with a rope, load the yarn in a truck and flee the scene.

The gang was active in Gobindgarh, Amloh, Malerkotla and Phagwara. Bains said Raju managed to form a huge nexus of criminals while he was in jail. The accused were today presented before the court and further sent on police remand.

Preparations keep railway staff busy
Railway station gets a temporary makeover ahead of General Manager’s visit
Kuldip Bhatia

Ludhiana, November 21
The railway station is being spruced up ahead of the visit of General Manager of the Northern Railways VK Gupta tomorrow (Friday).

The main entrance is being painted, platforms, waiting area and the entire complex is being cleaned up.

Gupta is visiting the railway station in the course of inspection of Ferozepur-Ludhiana section and the visit is to materialise after several last-minute cancellations during the past couple of months.

Divisional Railway Manager, Ferozepur Division of the Northern Railways, NC Goel, said, "The official will arrive at the Ludhiana railway station from Ferozepur at 4 pm and his scheduled stay here is for about 30 minutes. Thereafter, he will leave for New Delhi."

Although the officials are tight-lipped about the detailed itinerary of Goel's stay at the railway station, a senior official said the General Manager might meet the functionaries of the railway employees union, railway pensioners and also interact with mediapersons during his brief stay. Whether or not he will inspect the railway complex, facilities and amenities provided to the rail travellers was also not known as yet, he said.

Sources said the top brass of the Ferozepur division of Northern Railways was very keen to get some of the major ongoing infrastructure projects here during his proposed visit but both the new foot overbridge (FOB) at the railway station and the railway overbridge (ROB) being constructed in place of erstwhile Lakkar Pul were still far from completion. "Going by the tardy pace of work being carried out on these projects, it will take a couple of months more before these are thrown open to public," said the sources.

Ludhiana, November 21
The railway authorities have, once again, failed to make adequate and timely arrangements for the movement of hosiery goods with the result that both the traders and manufacturers are worried over the accumulating stockpile of parcels at the goods booking office as well as the railway platforms here.

With the winter season setting in, the wholesalers and manufacturers dealing with woollen garments apprehend huge loss of business due to the late delivery of parcels at their intended destinations.

Railway authorities admit that at an average between 1,500 and 1,600 parcels were being booked at the goods office while around 1,000 were loaded every day on various goods and passenger trains for various destinations.

“As against 190 wagons of parcels loaded since August (when the hosiery season commenced) till now, just about 100 were loaded during the corresponding period last year,” claimed Ashwani Kumar, railway parcel supervisor.

He said there was some backlog, but efforts were being made to clear the same as early as possible. “Loading of hosiery parcels is our top priority as the goods are seasonal and these have to be delivered on time”, he added.

Sources at the railway station said that there was a tendency among the hosiery traders and manufacturers to dump the parcels in the open spaces around the parcel office without actually booking the goods with the railway authorities.

"In fact, a vast number of parcels lying near the goods shed have not been booked. These have been dumped just to evade taxes and the consignments will be properly booked with the Railways for their intended destinations at the convenience of the traders or their agents," the sources said.

The hosiery trade, however, puts the entire blame for delay in the transportation of goods at the hands of the Railway authorities. Vineet Jain, a garment manufacturer, said this was not the first time that the parcels were lying near the goods office or platforms, that too in the open, for days together. The hosiery season has a fixed duration and if the goods are not delivered on time, the buyers refuse to take the delivery and the manufacturers and wholesalers have to suffer huge losses.

Kirpal Singh, a hosiery trader, said the backlog of parcels lying at the railway station was ample proof that the movement of goods was erratic and clearance was getting delayed. "The railway officials are trying to hide their incompetence and failure and putting the blame on the traders and manufacturers," he added.

Sahnewal, November 21
The consumers who have enrolled themselves for Aadhaar cards with their respective agencies for domestic cooking gas feel cheated.

Consumers who have attached their Aadhaar cards with their bank accounts and deposited the same with their banks as well as with their respective agencies rue that they were getting the LPG cylinder at a higher rate as compared to those who have to pass through the said official process.

"I have attached my Aadhaar card with my bank account and submitted the same as per the said terms and conditions. I deposited Rs 1,062.50 on October 1 and was waiting for approximately Rs 632 to be deposited in my account after a reduction of Rs 430 i.e. the rate at which the non-subsidised are having their cylinder. But I was astonished to find that Rs 605.57 were deposited in my account meaning thereby that the cylinder cost me around Rs 457. This further means that I am paying approximately Rs 27 extra than the ones who are getting the cylinders otherwise," said Pawan Kumar Kaushal.

"Are we being rewarded for following the instructions of the government? Why should I pay Rs 27 extra for a cylinder? Are the rates of the LPG or for that matter petrol, diesel and each and every commodity in any way less, that the government is fooling us by making us pass through this ordeal of subsidies and robbing us? This is the height of exploitation that consumers are forced to face. If we are trying to be abiding citizens, is this the reward we getting?" he said.

"Is it not the duty of the government to make the issues and things clear to the consumers at the very first stage rather than making them feel cheated every time. If transparency is lacking in execution, when will the consumers' faith be restored in such a government? When the rates are hiked they follow it stringently from midnight itself but on the contrary, when the rates are reduced, some of them express ignorance about the same. They have to be told about it till," said another such consumer.

An official of the Indian Oil Corporation said that the rate of the cylinder is Rs 435. When asked that even after this, a difference of nearly Rs 22 remains, he said, "It is VAT". He, however, refused to comment on the query whether the consumers had been informed about the VAT earlier.

Ludhiana, November 21
Aanganwadi workers today laid siege to the residence of Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari to press for their demands.

Demanding regularisation of wages, the workers have been going from one district to another.

President of the Aanganwadi Workers Association Subhash Rani said Tewari was not in the city, so they would submit a copy of the memorandum to the staff. She stated, "We have been struggling for our rights for long but the Central and the state governments are not interested in listening to our demands."

"The government should regularise our services. We not only take care of lakhs of children in the country but also perform Census duties, impart education to adolescents and look after pregnant women in rural areas. We are paid peanuts."

Bhinder Kaur, another worker, stated that the workers had visited six districts. "We want the government to increase our wages. We have been serving society for the past several years. Despite all odds, including shortage of staff, space and food, we are performing our duties diligently. Our demands should be considered by the authorities," said Kaur.

Ludhiana, November 21
Unhappy with the increase in road tax, the Mini-Bus Operators Association, Punjab, has refused to oblige government officials.

The operators have decided to boycott two functions of the state government to oppose the hike in road tax.

President of the association JS Grewal said the operators had to take the decision as the government was meting out a step motherly treatment to the operators.

"We were asked to provide buses for a function to be held at Bannawali near Bathinda on November 25. A thermal plant is being made operational there. We will not send even a single bus. We have been urging the authorities to roll back the hike, but to no avail. We will stop operations in the state as nobody is heeding our demand. We are in no mood to oblige the government," said Grewal, adding that the authorities had demanded about 1,000 buses. The operators said on December 21, they would observe a state-level strike. "On the day, Prime Ministerial candidate from the Bharatiya Janata Party Narendra Modi will arrive at Moga to address a huge gathering. We want the authorities to feel the pinch as we are suffering unnecessarily due to the hike in road tax," said another bus operator.

Jagraon, November 21
The leaders of Jagraon unit of BJP have strongly objected to the decision of sidelining party leadership from a function organised by the ruling alliance at Jagraon. A cancer check-up and awareness camp was organised under the Roko Cancer Campaign at Jagraon yesterday and no leader of local unit of BJP was present in the function during which BJP MLA from Amritsar (East) and Chief Parliamentary Secretary Health and Family Welfare Punjab Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu visited as the chief guest.

According to sources, no leader of Jagraon unit of BJP was invited to the function. The party insiders revealed that no party leader attended the function because no invitation was extended to any of the party leaders by the organisers.

"On one side all the junior and senior leaders of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), including close aides of Jagraon MLA SR Kaler were invited to the function while on the other side the local BJP leadership was totally ignored. It is quite unfortunate that the organisers did not invite the leaders of Jagraon BJP in a function during which a senior BJP leader visited as the chief guest," said Dr Rajinder Sharma, senior vice-president of the district, BJP.

This is the second time in one week's time that the leaders of local unit of BJP were sidelined from an important function. Earlier too, the local BJP leadership was sidelined when Punjab Revenue and Public Relations Minister Bikramjit Singh Majithia had visited Jagraon to inaugurate local MLA SR Kaler's office few days back.

Ludhiana, November 21
Over 2.5 lakh students up to class VIII have been suffering in the absence of proper winter uniforms in about 1,545 schools in the district. This is happening due to the pen-down strike by the non-teaching employees working under the SSA/RMSA. As a result, the grant for the uniforms has not been released to the school managements.

As per the information, the Central Government and the state government's share of about Rs 6.5 crore have already come to the authorities for providing school uniforms to the students but as no work is being done due to ongoing pen-down strike by the non-teaching employees, the schools have not got the grants and students continue to suffer.

Principal of a government school said the grant came to the authorities about 15 days back and the schools were ready with their tenders/suppliers for the uniforms. "At majority of the schools, the measurements of the students have also been taken and we are just waiting for the funds to come in our accounts. It is a fight between the state government and the non-teaching employees, why are the innocent students being made to suffer in absence of uniforms?" said the principal.

District Transport Officer (Primary) RS Malhi said it was between the government and the employees. "Yes the students are suffering unnecessarily. If they are not ready to work, then the work could be out-sourced by hiring other employees. Students will not suffer," said Malhi.

Over 100 non-teaching employees, working under the RMSA, are on a pen-down strike for the past one month, demanding regularisation of their jobs.

Samrala, November 21
In order to check malpractice in exams, Punjab School Education Board is going to initiate exam reforms soon. This was stated by the PSEB Chairperson, Tejinder Kaur Dhaliwal, while talking to media persons at Shahi Sports College, Samrala.

She had come there to honour the winners of the 59th School Zone Athletics Games in which over 700 students of about 80 schools participated. Dhaliwal said, “Under exam reforms the PSEB is planning to start cross examination of papers and the process is under way. The process will commence after finalising all formalities in this regard.”

She said, “Under exam scheme the papers will be sent to more than one examiner for checking and then the ratio of numbers will be calculated for final award.”

She said, “Those teachers will be deployed for flying squads which have the term more than 15 years in service and newly recruited will not be stationed on such sensitive duties.”

Ludhiana, November 21
The PAU Retirees' Welfare Association organised a dharna for the release of pension for the month of October and the arrears to be paid before the month of June 2013 as promised by the Finance Minister in his budget speech.

DP Maur, chairman, Satish Sood, and Tek Singh, general secretary, said: "Our protest will continue till the pension and arrears are not paid."

Gurmail Singh Medlay, president, Punjab Pensioners Union, said his association would give full support to the cause. We would participate in a procession scheduled for November 26.

Dr Gulzar Singh Pandher, General Secretary, PAU Employees Union, Abhinash Ajeej, Sukhwinder Singh Sekhon and Inderjit Singh Sekhon also addressed the participants on the occasion.

Ludhiana, November 21
School students participated in plays and choreography competitions organised at the Gadri Baba Bhan Singh Yadgar, Sunet, here today by the Ludhiana Maha Sabha and Shaheed Baba Bhan Singh Gadar Memorial Trust, Sunet. The function was dedicated to the Martyrdom Day of Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha.

In the play competition, Government Senior Secondary School, PAU, Government Senior Secondary, Threekey, and Government High Schoo,l Sunet, secured first, second and third positions, respectively. In the choreography competitions, Government High School, Sarabha Nagar, Government Model Senior Secondary School, PAU (evening), secured first and second position, respectively. The third position was shared by Government High School, Sunet, and Government Model Senior Secondary School, Model Town.

Winners of a debate competition from GNIMT in a jubilant mood at the PHD House in Chandigarh. Photo: Inderjeet Verma

Ludhiana: The Communication, Multimedia and Infrastructure (CMAI) Association of India, Punjab Technical University, supported by AICTE, AIU (Association of Indian Universities), organised a debate competition as a part of the CMAI National Punjab Education Awards 2013 at the PHD House, Chandigarh. The awards were mainly for engineering Institutes and the GNIMT was also asked to participate. There were 60 teams from all over Punjab and the topics were "Is Electronic System and Design Manufacturing important for Indian Economy" and "Is Alternate Energy Important for Education and Industry". The GNIMT team consisting of Parul Nagpal and Puneet Kaur, MCA, Semester V, won the first prize, which was highly appreciated and a letter of appreciation along with trophy was also awarded to them. Dr (Col) HS Singha congratulated the students and faculty members who prepared them for the debate.

Founder's day

The school management and staff members along with students of Gupta Model High School, Club Road, organised its 76th Founders Day. Kavita Swadesh Gupta, a poetess, was the chief guest; Kulbushan Aggarwal, CA, attended the function as a guest. The function started with 'jyoti prajawalan' followed by shabad. A quiz contest was held between three houses of school. Rohini House secured highest marks. Students of class X performed bhangra on the occasion. The Chief Guest awarded prizes to the winners. The function concluded with presenting momentoes to chief guest by Vineet Gupta, school manager.

Sports meet

Shri Harkrishan Sahib Public Senior Secondary School, Gill Market, celebrated its sports meet week 2013. The students from classes I to X participated in frog race, spoon race, simple race, sack rack, slow cycle, hurdle race and jump race. School director and principal Manjeet Kaur Lotey gave the message to the students.

Students bring laurels

Students of Peace Public School have brought laurels to school by claiming various prizes at LSSC (west) painting competition held at Alpine International Senior Secondary School. Taranjeet Kaur got first position in U-14 category where as Kirti Jain and Ayush Mehta clinched second prize in U-16 and U-9 category, respectively. Parneet Kaur got third position in U-16 category. Management has congratulated staff and students for their effort.

Athletics championship

Athletics Championship 2013-14 was conducted at Guru Nanak Public School, Mullanpur. Dr Bhupinder Singh Saran, President of the Guru Nanak Education and Social Welfare Trust, Charanjit Singh Gahour, Secretary and Baljit Kaur, Principal, Guru Nanak Public School, Mullanpur were present on the occasion and declared the athletics meet open and encouraged the participating teams to play with team spirit and sportsmanship. The closing ceremony was presided over by the Managing Committee headed by Dr Bhupinder Singh Saran. The students of the host school (GNPS, Mullanpur) presented 'Gatka'. After this performance prizes were distributed by the chief guest. The champion's trophy was won by Guru Nanak Public School, Mullanpur, with 245 Points. The runners-up trophy was bagged by GHG Academy, Kothe Baggu, Jagraon, with 103 Points. The second runners-up were Amrit Indo-Canadian Academy, Ladian, with 90 Points.

Session on dental health

Students of PSN Senior Secondary School, Ram Nagar, on Thursday held a session on dental health with Dr Thind of Thind Dental Clinic, Jamalpur in association with the Rotary Club, Greater Ludhiana. About 300 children of classes VI-XII attended the session.On the occasion, Dr Thind engaged the students in a humourous skit which showed how chocolate and sticky foods stick to teeth, the damage caused by them overnight, and how proper brushing helps in ensuring healthy teeth. He called upon some students from the audience, and gave them the roles of the unbrushed tooth, the brushed tooth, chocolate and sticky foods. —TNS

Ludhiana, November 21
In the latest case of carjacking, three armed assailants fled with a car of an industrialist. The incident took place at 6.30 am when Suresh Kumar, a resident of South City, was heading for a morning walk in his Toyota Corolla.

Suresh said when he reached near the fuel station at the PAU, three men intercepted his vehicle. Before he could react, one of the assailants pulled out a sharp-edged weapon and told him to step down from the vehicle.

Ludhiana, November 21
Paras remained unbeaten on 50 runs while Anirudh contributed 30 runs to help Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School, BRS Nagar, script a five-wicket win against Kundan Vidya Mandir (KVM), Civil Lines, and entered the final of the Ludhiana Sahodaya School Complex Cricket Tournament being organised at Green Land Convent School Stadium, GT Road, Manj Phagowal, on the Ludhiana-Jalandhar road.

Batting first, KVM were bowled out for 141 runs in the stipulated 20 overs. Their innings revolved around Hartejasav Kapoor (39), Deepin Chitkara (30) and Parul Mehndiratta (27).

For Sacred Heart School, Raghav was the most successful bowler, taking three wickets for 25 runs. Ashmeet claimed two wickets for 28 runs while Anirudh grabbed one wicket for 25 runs.

Sacred Heart School surpassed KVM's score after losing five wickets with two ball to spare. Paras remained unconquered on 50 runs, followed by Anirudh who chipped in with 30 runs. Madhav played a hurricane innings of 23 runs off just six balls.

For the losing side, Anmol Sharma Danny got rid of two batsmen while Jashan got one wicket for 10 runs and Hartejasav Kapoor took one for 25.

Ludhiana, November 21
The Ludhiana District Cycling Association (LDCA) will organise the Hero Punjab State Cycling Championship at Punjab Agricultural University on November 23 and 24.

This was stated by Surinder Pal Singh, president of the LDCA, at a meeting today.

"Ninety participants in the sub-junior, junior and senior boys as well as the girls' sections drawn from all over the state will be seen in action during the two-day event," said Singh. — OC