Jalandhar, June 1
Goods worth several lakhs were reduced to ashes in a fire that broke out early at a sports goods manufacturing unit near Babrik Chowk here this morning.

Over half a dozen fire tenders took around three hours to douse the flames. A short-circuit was said to be the cause behind the incident. However, no loss of life was reported in the incident.

The factory, which was mainly into manufacturing boxing gloves, is located near residential areas. Had the fire tenders not reached the spot on time, it could have spread into the residential areas.

Pran Chadha, owner of Chadha Sports, a sister concern of Universal Sports, said the incident took place at 5 am when he was called by his workers who told him that smoke was billowing out from the factory.

"I immediately reached the factory and found huge flames emanating from the factory unit. I immediately rang up fire stations. About eight fire tenders were pressed into service, which took almost three hours to completely douse the flames," he said.

About the expected loss of sports goods in the fire, Chadha said at this moment, it was not possible for him to calculate the exact loss. He could only say that sports finished goods, raw material, manufacturing machinery and furniture worth several lakhs got destroyed in the fire. He said that he would be in a position to calculate the exact loss by tomorrow.

The factory owner said short circuit seemed to be the cause of the fire.

Rajinder Sharma, fire safety officer, said eight fire tenders were pressed into service to douse the flames.

He, however, said that he was not aware of the cause of the fire.

Jalandhar, June 1
The 3442 Teachers Union Punjab, Kapurthala, today decided to intensify its protest against the Punjab Government to get their pending demands fulfilled.

The decision was taken at a meeting held at Desh Bhagat Yadgar Hall, which was presided over by state president Navdeep Singh.

Speaking on the occasion, Navdeep said 3,442 teachers had been working on a meagre salary of Rs 10,300 for the past more than a year, which was far less than the minimum wages, which were more than Rs 18,000. He said despite having all the required qualifications, including Teacher Eligibility Test (TET), they were being exploited.

Apart from this, he said they had been made to work 100 to 200 km away from their own district, which cost them a lot of money, as they have to hire accommodation and make other arrangements.

Jalandhar, June 1
Residents of Ajit Nagar here, accompanied by local BJP leaders, today held a protest against the city police outside the Police Commissioner's office, alleging that the police had slapped the Prevention of Corruption Act on BJP worker Harpal Mintu on the fake charges of taking Rs 20,000 from the father of an alleged thief nabbed by the police on the pretext that he would help get him released from police custody.

Police Commissioner Jalandhar, Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh, meanwhile, categorically said, “Harpal Mintu is of a notorious kind. Cases of illicit liquor smuggling were registered against him in the past."

He is also into the business of taking protection money from petty criminals on the pretext that he has links in the Police Department. We are now inquiring his links with other drug peddlers and have enough evidence against him which establish that he took Rs 20,000 from the nabbed thief’s father on the pretext that he has links in the department and he can help him in releasing his son, Kunwar said, adding that the police had also arrested his accomplice Dheeraj Baba, who was also into the business of taking protection money.

The injured residents of Ajit Nagar show their injury marks outside the Police Commissioner’s office. Tribune photos: Malkiat Singh

Kunwar added that he was conducting an inquiry into the allegation if any lathicharge had taken place.

BJP MLA Manoranjan Kalia’s PA Ashish Chopra, who was leading the protesters, blamed the ACP, Special Branch, Somnath, for deliberately lathicharing the residents who came in the support of Mintu at the Rama Mandi police station.

As per information, after a burglary was reported at the house of one Hemraj at Ajit Nagar two days ago, BJP worker Mintu had helped the police in nabbing the thief Harry. Following the arrest of Harry, his father complained to the police that Mintu had demanded Rs 20,000 for releasing Harry from police custody. Harry's father also alleged to the police that Mintu had taken his ATM card and he himself withdrew the cash.

On the basis of the allegations,the police slapped the PC Act on Mintu and nabbed him.

A demand was made that the police should get the CCTV footage from the ATM to find out if Mintu had himself withdrawan Rs 20,000 from the ATM of Harry’s father.

A case under Sections 353, 283 of the IPC was registered against several unidentified persons.

‘Bid to influence police'

Following the arrest of the BJP worker, sources said some BJP leader also attempted to use his influence on the police to release their worker released, who was booked for taking protection money from the thief’s father on the pretext of releasing him. However, police said action was taken on merit and the arrest of Mintu might lead to other persons involved in drug trade.

Jalandhar, June 1
More than 40 people shared their stirring stories about surviving with cancer at a seminar held by the PAHAL NGO in association with Bhagav Hospital here today.

Cancer survivors Prof Pankaj Gupta (throat cancer) Ramesh (breast cancer), Jaswinder (breast Cancer), Manjit (breast cancer), Satnam Singh (testicular cancer), Satbir Singh, Manjit Kaur, Kamaljit Kaur, Kavita told their story of living with great courage during their ailment and treatment among around 40 cancer fighters.

Most of the cancer fighters seemed to be excited and enthusiastic to put their act of bravery in front of the selected audience of doctors, social activists, relatives and well-wishers of society.

On the occasion, cancer fighters were honoured with mementoes and flowers with appreciation by the NGO.

A special programme "Celebrations of Life" on International Cancer Survivors' Day was organised by the NGO in collaboration with Dr Rupinder Bhargava, senior surgeon and cancer specialist.

Civil Suregon, Jalandhar, Dr RL Bassan, was the chief guest and Brig VP Singh, Brigade Commander, presided over the celebrations.

Brig VP Singh said education and awareness, advances in medical research and courage to live of cancer fighters with great guts proved that cancer is not a warrant of death. Rather, it is a clarion call to live a blissful life.

Dr Bassan talked about the CM (Govt of Punjab) cancer relief fund for cancer help while appreciating PAHAL's action on health issues.

Dr Bhargava stressed about early detection and prompt treatment through experts following proper guidelines.

Prof Lakhbir Singh, while sharing his personal experience of last eight years of bone marrow cancer, said in the early stages before metastasis, one can live long life in most of the cases. No doubt it is tough, but it is possible. Will power, courage and guts to live a full life are the main ingredients to fight cancer.

Dr Savita Bhatola, Chief Medical Officer, talked about the successful techniques of pain management. Ritu Kochher gave details of harmful preservatives in food baking and bakery. While giving warning, she also informed about health and nutrient foods.

Dr Ruchi Bhargava talked about the management of gynae problems during the cancer treatment of women.

Dr Ram Gopal informed about the alternative neurotherapy treatment among cancer patients.

Among PAHAL activists, Dolly Jamwal from Delhi, Parsoon Kumar from CSIT Delhi, Navjot Singh, Meera Chowdary, Farah, Deepa, Smiley, Er. Anoop Aryan, Jagdeep Kaur, Vivek, Agyapal Kaur assisted PAHAL to organise International Day for Cancer Survivors in an impressive manner.

Harvider Kaur, principal, Nirmaan School, conducted the whole event and Anu Sharma assisted her.

Jalandhar, June 1
Thousands of devotees partook langar, chabeels (sweet water) and performed sewa in various gurdwaras on the occasion of the martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev today.

While religious observance was marked by enthusiastic participation of many young men and women in the city, a number of bodies in various gurdwaras are making efforts to involve children in religious activities. One of the prime concerns for these bodies is drug addiction.

The Ik Granth Ik Panth Sabha was started by a group of eight to 10 persons, who were concerned about drug addiction among youths. Members of the body contribute tenth of their income every month to educate children about Sikh philosophy in villages.

The sabha has adopted 10 villages that are visited every alternate week and camps are held for free for students. Kulwinder Singh, a government contractor and one of the founding members of the sabha said, “One of our aims is to keep the future generation away from drugs. During these camps, knowledge of scriptures and the Sikh philosophy is imparted and we have seen changes in children due to it. We gift water bottles or bags to good learners. Most of the children are from poor families. Our main aim is not only to educate them but also to counsel them.”

While the sabha has been educating 25 children from each of 10 villages, the sabha neither accepts donations nor increases its contribution. “Donations sometimes corrupt an organisation so we rely on the tenth,” Kulwinder Singh said.

Meanwhile, another such initiative for urban students will start tomorrow. While the Guru Shabad Parachar Sabha, Jalandhar, holds camps for the children aged between 3 to 18 years, the camps held last year by the sabha received overwhelming response as 800 children became members of the sabha.

This year, camps of the sabha will start from tomorrow. Children are taught meditation besides imparting the knowledge of scriptures during these camps. Tempos allocated by the sabha pick children from their homes and the month-long camp is for free.

One of the founder members of the sabha, Amarjit Singh Anand, said, “Children themselves distribute karaa parshad and control the rest of their peers. With the teaching of Gurbani, they become morally strong. This year, we will hold camps in four phases from June 2 to 30 at several gurdwaras.”

Dilbagh Singh, associated with the Preet Nagar gurdwara, said, “At least 400 to 450 youngsters attend the ceremony today. About 70 to 80 youngsters are regulars at our gudwara. They clean, mop, do langar sewa. They all belong to good families. They work voluntarily, expecting no returns.”

Navdep Gulati, a 30-year-old businessman said, “I started visiting gurdwaras 10 years ago and now my son has started visiting gurdwaras. There might be some children those don’t listen to their parents and are forgetting their roots. But for the youngsters who are brought up in homes where parents are close to their roots, sewa is still an important aspect of their lives.”

Jalandhar, June 1
Flaying contradictory statements of BJP leaders, the traders opposing the imposition of property tax have decided to question the seniority of party leaders.

Addressing a press conference, members of the Industrial and Traders' Joint Action Committee, today said Finance Minister Arun Jaitley during the Lok Sabha elections had promised to abolish property tax, if the NDA came to power.

Gursharan Singh and Ravinder Dhir, members of the joint action panel, said after Jaitley had promised to abolish the tax, Punjab Local Bodies Minister Anil Joshi contended that property tax would not be abolished but only revised and simplified.

“How could the state minister supersede and give a contradictory statement against his own party’s Union Finance Minister?,” they said.

The members threatened to continue their stir if their demands were not conceded to. They said they had shared their opinion with Local Bodies Secretary Ashok Gupta during a meeting on Wednesday.