Ludhiana, April 3
In a gruesome incident, the right hand and genitals of a 22-year-old Assamese native were chopped off by unidentified assailants at the Tibba Road here today.

The man was found lying unconscious in a pool of blood on the roadside, near a dharamsala, in the wee hours.

Upon receiving information, investigating officer inspector Harwinder Singh along with his team arrived at the spot. The ambulance was immediately summoned.

The victim was rushed to the Civil Hospital in a critical condition as the attack has caused huge blood loss. The police found tickets and a diary from his pocket

Investigation has revealed that the victim works at a factory unit in the city.

Inspector Singh said, “We found train tickets and a diary from the victim’s pocket. We’ve informed his relatives in Assam. They will be reaching the city soon. Prima facie it appears that the victim had returned to the city to rejoin work and was attacked at Tibba Road.”

The investigating officer, however, ruled out robbery to be the motive behind the attack.

“We found money in the victim’s pocket. Had it been a robbery case, the money would have been stolen,” added the inspector.

The police suspect that more than four persons are involved in the attack. “It appears the victim’s genitals were clinically removed. The expertise with which the entire procedure was carried out, more than four persons could be involved,” added inspector Singh.

The police have initiated an investigation to nab the culprits behind the gruesome attack. Meanwhile, the victim’s statement could not be recorded as he was still unconscious.

Ludhiana, April 3
As many as four candidates filed their nomination papers at the Mini Secretariat today. The candidates included Sukhvinder Singh Sekhon CPI (M) candidate for the Ludhiana Lok Sabha seat, Amarjit Mattu of CPI (M), Independent candidate Rajinder Singh and Muhammad Naseem Ansari from the New All India Congress Party.

Rajat Aggarwal, District Electoral Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana, said, “We received the nomination papers of four candidates. We issued them notices for not filling some columns in the forms and not attaching certain documents. The nominations will be scrutinized on April 10 at the office of the Returning Officer.”

At around 2 pm, CPI (M) candidate Sukhvinder Singh Sekhon arrived at the Mini Secretariat along with Charan Singh Virdi, State Secretary of CPI (M); Sunit Chopra, Central Committee Member; Vijay Mishra, constituency in charge and DP Maur, Assistant Secretary of the Ludhiana unit of the CPI (M).

Earlier, Sekhon addressed a rally near the bus stand.

Meanwhile, the last day for filing the nomination papers is April 9.

However, there will be no nominations on April 6 and April 8 due to public holidays. The names can be withdrawn on April 12 till 3 pm.

Ludhiana, April 3
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate from Ludhiana, HS Phoolka, today met Deputy Commissioner (DC) Rajat Aggarwal at the latter’s office. The main issue that Phoolka raised was the “absence of a single window system” that was to come up for the candidates to seek permission.

“As the AAP follows the Model Code of Conduct, the absence of a single window system causes problems for us,” Phoolka told the DC.

Later, Phoolka visited Darpan School for autistic children at Gurdev Nagar. “It is disheartening to see that despite the Right to Education Act, children with special needs are turned away from schools in Ludhiana. These children have the Constitutional Rights like others. Any discrimination will not to be tolerated,” said Phoolka.

He claimed that the AAP is committed to the cause of special children and their needs. 

Ludhiana, April 3
Following complaints about unhygienic food being sold at the bus stand, the District Health Department collected eight food samples from the premises today.

The Council of Right to Information (RTI) Activists had filed a complaint with the department in this regard.

As per information, the department officials collected samples of tomato sauce, patties, curd, cooked dal, aloo chana, popcorn, petha and bhujia from different stalls at the bus stand.

“Samples of various foods were collected by us. We had received several complaints about unhygienic food being sold on the premises,” said Dr Abnash Kumar, District Health Officer.

Rohit Sabharwal, president, Council of RTI Activists — who had filed a complaint with the Health Department — said, “Vendors sell unhygienic and adulterated food here. It is unfit for human consumption.”

“Despite being adulterated, the vendors sell food items at high rates. There is no concern for the health and safety of the masses,” he added.

Meanwhile, the officials also collected food samples from Daresi. These included samples of sauce, faluda, carbonated water and ice-cream.

Ludhiana, April 3
A swindler posing as a bank official allegedly duped two youths and fled with Rs 20,000 here today. The duo was carrying the money to deposit it in a bank at Brown Road near the Civil Hospital.

The victim Gabbi Hussain (19) and his brother, residents of Islam Gunj, had gone to the bank to deposit the cash.

An unidentified man posing as a bank official approached them and offered to help them deposit the money.

Hussain handed him the money and within minutes the swindler fled from the scene. Sensing trouble, Hussain immediately informed the police.

Meanwhile, fearing a rebuke by his parents, Hussain and his brother allegedly staged a snatching drama.

However, during police investigation, the duo confessed that they staged a snatching drama to cover-up their mistake of handing the money to the conman. 

Ludhiana, April 3
Even as the Additional Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, had brought to the notice of the MC official concerned about two illegal buildings being constructed near the Zone A office, “the official failed to address the issue”.

The two illegal buildings are almost nearing completion.

The ATP Zone A, Harpreet Ghai, “did not act on the orders of the higher-ups,” thereby resulting in the two illegal structures coming up outside the MC office. The two buildings are constructed near the Mata Rani Chowk on 200 sq yard and 350 sq yard, respectively.

Besides, both the commercial buildings have constructed six floors (each), covering 100 per cent and 90 per cent of area, respectively.

As per MC rules, one can do with 65 per cent of the ground-coverage. However, both the buildings don’t have any parking space.

“Equivalent car space has to be provided outside commercial buildings but no parking space has been left. Besides, six floors have been constructed in both the buildings, which is in violation of the building bylaws,” said an MC official on the condition of anonymity.

The official said the violation had been brought to the notice of the ATP Zone A, but nothing had been done till date.

Isha Kalia, Additional Commissioner, MC, said, “I had asked ATP Zone A to check the status of the buildings and submit a report.”

“Later, I got the additional charge of ADC (D) and could not do much in the issue,” added Kalia.

Meanwhile, ATP Zone A could not be reached for comments. 

Ludhiana, April 3
The initiative of the Education Department to get feedback from parents and teachers regarding the ongoing mid-day meal programme in government schools proved unproductive as the helpline number flashed by the department for giving feedback was not working at present.

The department had introduced a 24-hour helpline number for complaints and suggestions from the parents and teachers. The helpline number (0172-6541673) of the head office has been flashed on website of the department. The same helpline number has also been mentioned in the Annual Work Plan and Budget report of the mid-day meal programme.

The Mid-Day Meal Society, Punjab, which runs under the Punjab School Education department, is a competent authority to address the issues and complaints.

“I have some suggestion regarding the mid-day meal programme going on in government schools. I searched the helpline number on internet. But when I dialed the number, the automatic machine responded that the number does not exist. It is unfortunate that the helpline number is lying defunct. So, where can one give feedback or complaint about the mid-day meal programme?” asked a teacher of a government school.

When contacted, district manager, Tarsem Lal Banga informed that his mobile number has been allotted as the helpline number in the district. “I am not aware about any such helpline number regarding the mid-day meal. But the teachers and parents can contact me on my number,” he said.

Prabhcharan Singh, general manager of the society said, “The helpline is out of service due to the shifting of office. The contact numbers are yet to be shifted. We will shift the same number at the new building. The helpline will be revived soon.” 

Ludhiana: The 10-day long International Students’ Fest concluded with a gala rejoicing amidst singing, dancing, fashion shows, drum playing, short presentations, documentaries and finally a grand dinner. HE Bothata Tsikoane, High Commissioner, The Kingdom of Lesotho, accompanied by Phillimon Ranthimo, secretary from The High Commission in New Delhi, were the guest of honour on the occasion. This is nineth visit of any ambassador at the PCTE.

Doraha, April 3
The Management Federation of aided colleges of Punjab has decided to move to the court as a total of 136 private aided colleges of all the three universities, including Panjab University, Punjabi University and Guru Nanak Dev University, have not received any grant for the past nine months even towards the end of the financial year.

Jaswant Singh Gill, general secretary, Private Aided Colleges Management Federation said, “Also, the colleges were instructed not to charge any fees from the SC students and that the government shall reimburse the same but the year has ended and no such concession has arrived yet. The scholarships for the SC students still elude them. The Punjab Government has failed to reimburse the leave-encashment and gratuity to the retirees.”

“If the state government is least bothered even during the elections, is there any scope for it to think any better during the non-election times. It is height of callousness and laxity on the part of any government. We fail to understand that when 100 per cent amount has been released by the centre and the Punjab Government has practically nothing to pay from its own pocket, where is the hitch after all?”asked SC Sanwalka, president, Private Aided Colleges Management Federation.

“The Punjab Government has proved to be a total failure. The tall claims of giving education the top priority have ended up in a fiasco. The promised scholarships and assured concessions have not arrived even after a long wait of a whole year. The college staff is without salary for the past nine months since no grants have been released,” said Dr SP Singh, former Vice-Chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar.

“In such a case, we have no other choice but to move to the court and make the government pay to us forcibly if not by agitations by the Panjab and Chandigarh College Teachers’ Union and various representations of the Management Federation and Principals’ Unions,” he added.

Ludhiana, April 3
An exhibition titled ‘Art and Fashion Fiesta’ was organised by Shweta Gupta at Artistry Art Studio today.

Fashion and art both are very creative and the idea of bringing fashion, art and their fusion to experience was for the more refined fashion and more stylish art, said Shweta. The exhibition was a treat both for fashion lovers and art enthusiasts, she added.

Artist Picky Bindra displayed her collection of hand-painted clutches. The collection had paintings of various themes and colours. Bindra said the hand-painted clutches were covered with a protective coating to make them last for long.

Kanika Dhanda from the studio exhibited her oil paintings. Apart from that, she also exhibited gift items that were especially hand-painted and had miniature oil paintings as part of the products.

A collection of Indo-western outfits was displayed by designer Sukhmeet. She said it was titled feather collection, and were designed using feathers. The collection was inspired from Parisian collection, she said. Shanu Sharma exhibited her collection of chocolates. “A tastefully done collection had unique flavours such as chili etc,” she said.

“It was great to see fashion and art come together. It was a truly aesthetic feel and experience of a true visual feel. Although art remains confined to canvasses, but it was great that hand-painted products and fashion accessories were on display,” said one of the visitors at the exhibition. Aanchal Gupta said she had never seen such a collaboration of art and fashion earlier and more such collaborative ventures should be organised for exchange amongst both art and fashion followers as well as designers.

Ludhiana: A delegation from Kenya, Liberia and Malawi acquired in-depth knowledge about the Punjab agriculture during their two-day visit to the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU).

The delegation, led by Dr Vijay Intodia, assistant director, National Institute of Agricultural Marketing, Jaipur, appreciated the research and technology transfer programmes of PAU. The delegation visited Field Fresh Foods Private Limited, Ladhowal, on Thursday. The visit was organised by the Department of Processing and Food Engineering, PAU. Gagandeep Singh from Field Fresh Foods apprised the delegation of the state-of-art infrastructure, pack house, production farm, greenhouses and net-houses available with the industry and practices followed by them for export purpose. Dr PPS Lubana, Dean, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, said the visit will be highly useful to the participating delegates. The PAU experts educated the visiting members about newly developed technologies, marketing of farm produce, conservation of natural resources and agro-processing. The delegation members appreciated the scientific know-how of innovative farming gained during their visit to PAU and said that they would apply this knowledge upon their return to their respective countries for the growth of agriculture. — TNS

Mandi Ahmedgarh, April 3
Upgradation of local town to subdivision level, construction of a railway over-bridge and an education institute for higher studies are the major demands of the residents.

Office bearers of various social and trade organisations fighting for rights of the people have made up their mind to extend conditional support to candidates contesting election for Fatehgarh Sahib Constituency. Local political leaders are no exception to the tendency.

Residents led by SS Jain Sabha president and BJP district vice-president Vinod Jain said representatives of successive union governments had failed to come true to expectations of local residents. What to talk of modernization and urbanization the administration has failed to provide facilities required for dignified life, he added.

“Major reason behind the unconcern of earlier representatives was that local leaders had no direct liaison with them (MPs). This time we have decided to remove middlemen and had directly talked to the candidate launched by our party and will not hesitate in launching a protest against him if he betray the public after the election," said Jain.

Former president of municipal council Ravinder Puri and former councillor Bimal Sharma said they had agreed to join campaign of SAD- BJP candidate Kulwant Singh after he (Singh) assured that long pending demand of a railway over-bridge will be taken up on priority.

Acknowledging that demands of the town had remained unfulfilled due to unconcern of regional leaders in the past, Jatinder Kumar Bhola ,former president, municipal council and Ravinder Aggarwal, office bearers of local units of the Congress said they too had taken up local issues with the party nominee Sadhu Singh Dharamsot.

"Unlike earlier election campaigns, this time we had talked directly to the nominee and members of his family who assured that due importance will be given to local issues," claimed Bhola and Aggarwal.

Residents led by patron of Social Welfare Organisation Tarsem Garg lamented that candidates and their supporters had been betraying local residents by making false promises prior to election every time and then forgetting after winning election. Residents alleged poor sewage system and frequent traffic jams at level crossings had made the town hell and poor residents have to shuttle between distant cities and local town as majority of the public government offices were situated there. Town had no government college or high school. 

Ludhiana, April 3
Gurbax Singh Middha, general secretary, Indian National Democratic Party and an Independent candidate for Ludhiana Loka Sabha seat could not file his nomination here today due to non-availability of his name in the voter list of area.

According to Middha, he visited Deputy Commissioner's Office for filing his nomination. He said, "A certificate mentioning my name in the voter list was required to fill the nomination. I visited the office concerned to get the certificate. The officials informed that my name is not in the voter list".

Gurbax Singh Middha, a resident of Model Town Extension, Dugri Road, has a voter ID card for last 15 years, said he is a regular voter and used to cast his vote in every election.

"Last year, a political leader got my name deleted from the voter list using his influence. I have filled the forms again to get my voting right. But I got astonished when I found that again my name is missing from the list", said Middha.

Sukhdev Singh Bhangu, election tehsildar said, "Now the last date for applying the new vote or objection is over.

He is unable to file nomination. We will initiate enquiry only if we get any complaint regarding removal of his name from voter list."

Ludhiana, April 3
Pulse polio drive will be held from April 6 to 10 in the city. Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Baldev Singh conducted a meeting in this regard to make the pulse polio drive a success.

While addressing the meeting, ADC said although World Health Organization (WHO) has declared India polio-free but people should not take this disease casually and should know that disease can re-lapse in the country.

Addressing the meeting today district immunization officer, Dr Sanjeev Hans said polio drive will be carried out in every city and village and each and every house will be covered during the drive. Pakistan and Afghanistan are still fighting with polio and the fear transmission of the disease lurks upon India," added Dr Hans.

ADC said the polio drives will be continued in the country and people should also be made aware not to adopt a causal approach towards polio after India being declared "polio-free". Kids in the age group 0-5 years should be administered polio drops.

He further said that all the slums, brick kilns, bus stands and other public places will be covered during the drive. He also directed the ayurvedic doctors to supervise the pulse polio drive in their respective regions.

During the drive, urban, rural and children of migrants will be covered. For carrying out the drive successfully 1,579 teams had been formulated, 99 mobile teams and 67 transit teams.

ADC further appealed to all the departments and non-government organizations to keep a strict vigil on the pilgrims going to Pakistan and every kid going to the neighbouring country should be administered polio drops before he/she leaves the country so that there is little possibility of them contacting with the virus during their stay there consequently spreading it here after their return.

Ludhiana, April 3
Income tax department is keeping its eyes and ears wide open to unearth discrepancies between the income declared by the candidates in their poll affidavits and income tax return filed by them. Permanent Account Number (PAN) is going to play an important role in detecting the same.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has asked the Election Commission to provide PAN details of candidates to check the financial antecedents.

The department will also look for fake PAN details by matching the same with the department's own database.

According to official sources the department will also compare the declarations made by the candidates in their poll affidavits with the income tax returns filed by them and PAN will be important when it comes to investigating a candidate's asset and income declarations in the poll affidavit.

Candidates with assets of over Rs 5 crore without a PAN card are set to come under the scanner of the department and Election Commission.

EC has also created an exclusive "Election Expenditure Monitoring Cell" while the Income Tax Department's investigation and intelligence units are also on the toes to check illegal funds and huge cash flows during the elections. Expenditure observer Kumar Aseem Vaibhav has already arrived in the city and is keeping a strict watch on the money spent by the candidates during elections.

This is part of a joint charter prepared by the Central Board of Direct Taxes and the Election Commission for scrutinising the poll affidavits of candidates contesting Lok Sabha elections.

Ludhiana, April 3
During the road show of Simarjit Singh Bains, an independent candidate from Ludhiana Lok Sabha Constituency that started from railway station, leaflets appealing for the support to Bains were being distributed to anyone and everyone.

Some of the supporters also had the silhouetted pictures of Bains on their T-shirts with the tagline 'Assi Sare Bains Haa' (We all are Bains).

Not only were these stickers being distributed, but the stickers were being pasted on vehicles parked nearby as well, he said. The supporters were even pasting the promotional stickers with pictures of Bains on their shirts and backs of one another happily. Interestingly, the stickers were also pasted on the people standing by the enthusiastic supporters. Jugnu, one of the vendors at railway station got confounded when some supporter pasted a sticker on his shirt. When asked, he said he knew that these were for the election campaign, but had no idea who the candidate was, whose picture was on the sticker.

Jagraon, April 3
With the aim of ensuring drugs and liquor free elections Sports and Youth organizations of Hathur area had declared to keep a check on the distribution of drugs and liquor during the coming elections.

The decision was taken during a meeting of Sports and Youth Welfare Clubs of more than dozen villages of the area. The representatives of more than 15 Youth and Rural Sports Clubs took part in the meeting.

The Youth and Sports Organisations also declared to boycott the political party found distributing drugs, liquor and money to the electorate during the general elections.

"We have decided to keep a check on distribution of drugs and liquor by the candidates and supporters of various political parties. It was also decided to boycott the political party which tries to attract the voters by distributing drugs, liquor and money during the elections," said Amarjit Singh, president of Hathur Youth Club.

According to Surjit Singh, president of Youth Welfare Club, different teams of volunteers will be formed to keep a check on distribution of drugs and liquor during the elections. We would also visit various villages to make the people aware against the distribution of drugs by political parties during elections, added he.

These organisations had also appealed to the people not to cast their votes to the parties distributing drugs or liquor during the elections to ensure drug-free elections. 

Ludhiana, April 3
Participants representing the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) in the All-India Inter-Agricultural Sports Meet brought laurels to varsity by securing the overall first position at Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat (Assam), from March 24 to March 28.

The teams, including basketball, volleyball, badminton, table tennis (girls) and athletics won gold medal in their respective events. Athlete Tajinder Singh performed extraordinary by winning gold medals in discus throw as well as shot-put.

The Punjab Agricultural University Students’ Association gave a warm welcome to the winners. Speaking on the occasion, Karanvir Singh (president PAUSA) stated that participants revived the glorious history of the university as the students used to shine in the inter-agri and inter-university meets held in the past as well. “These participants have been practicing hard for several months,” said Karanvir Singh Sandhu, president, PAUSA.

Ludhiana, April 3
Navratras fervour has taken over the residents of the city. People in the city had started taking to the Navratras food and thalis as part of the festivities.

Restaurants are also offering special Navratra thalis to make the most of the Navratras. A typical diet offered at restaurants includes puri, rice khichdi, aloo jeera, pakora, sabudana, papad, sweet curd and kheer. The use of garlic and onion is avoided.

Many people said Navratra food is also the special part of the Navratra festivities for them. "The whole day during the Navratras is about devotion. Having food feels great. Not only is the food healthy in its own way, but tasty as well," says Seema, a resident. Ruchi, a student said during Navratra she gives up non-vegetarian food and relishes the Navratra food.

Even though the contents of the Navratra food are quite simple, but some of the things like sabudana and papad are the things that I take only during these days of Navratras. So this food is quite unique for me, added another resident. During these days, having Navratra food and thalis is part of the prayers and worship for our family, he said.

Even kitty parties are being celebrated with the flavours of Navratras. "We had our kitty party and everyone wanted to have a Navratra thali. Having the thali added to the feeling of devotion," said Srishti, a resident. The great part of having Navratra food and thalis is that even while satisfying ones hunger, one feels the contentment of devotion, she said.

An attendant from a city restaurant said the Navratra thalis are selling well, and most of the groups coming for kitty parties order the special Navratra thalis.

Ludhiana, April 3
The police arrested two persons and recovered 150 boxes of liquor from their possession.

The accused were identified as Ravi and Honey, residents of Meharban, were arrested near Deepak Cinema today.

Ravi and Honey reportedly told the police that the liquor was not meant for elections.

Ludhiana, April 3
Two cases of domestic violence were reported in different parts of the city. In the first case, a 25- year-old girl from Patiala, who was recently married to a Shimlapuri resident, was found unconscious outside her house. She was rushed to civil hospital. Father of the victim said his daughter was subjected to domestic violence.

In the second incident, a woman married to a Daresi resident, was thrashed and thrown out of the house.

The injured woman was rushed to the hospital.