Amritsar, November 28
Notorious gangster, Sangam (23), was allegedly shot dead by miscreants in the Gujjarpura area here late last evening.

He was wanted in the killing of another gangster, Sanjiv Nayyar, alias Babba, who was shot dead a few months ago by several persons when he was returning home after attending a marriage function at a private resort.

Though the police have registered a case of murder against unknown persons, the family members of Sangam named several persons responsible for his killing. Lal Chand, father of the deceased, alleged that he was shot dead by his several relatives. However, the police said that they were verifying the facts.

ADCP, City-I, Paramapal Singh, said the incident was not the fallout of any gang war. According to an initial probe, it appears that someone known Sangam had killed him. He said a pistol was found in his pocket, but it had no cartridges, adding that investigations were still on.

He said Sangam, a close aide of notorious gangster Jagjit Singh Jaggu, was wanted in a number of cases, including those of murder and attempt to murder. He was declared a proclaimed offender by the court. He said they were seeking details of cases registered against him at Batala, Gurdaspur and other neighbouring districts.

Sangam’s name had figured in the murder of Babba during the interrogation of two criminals, Malkeet Singh, alias Nawab, of Channanke village and Ranjodh Singh of Udhonangal village, who were arrested by the Amritsar rural police earlier this month. They are close associates of Jaggu. During their interrogation, they had confessed that it was Jaggu and Sangam who had shot Babba dead. Babba was out from Amritsar Central Jail on parole.

Amritsar, November 28
A 36-member delegation of artistes, singers and musicians from Pakistan crossed over to India through the Attari-Wagah Joint Check Post to a warm welcome to participate in “Saanjh: Amritsar-Lahore Peace Festival” being held by Springdale Senior School here today.

A festive aura pervaded at the border as the visitors were accorded a traditional welcome as soon as they entered the Indian territory.

Undaunted by disturbances created along the International Border by random acts of terror, peaceniks from across the border came here with songs of love on their lips and a prayer for peace in their hearts to participate in the festival.

Being organised by Punarjyot in collaboration with its Lahore-based counterpart Rafi Peer Theater Workshop (RPTW), the festival aims to perpetuate the shared bonds of Punjabi language, folklore, music and literature in both Punjabs.

The 36-member delegation from Pakistan included Mian Meeri Qawal, Sain Zahoor, an internationally acclaimed folk singer from Pakistan, Wahadat Rameez and Krishan Lal Bheel. They will share the stage with the Indian performer Dhruv Sangari, a budding singer of Coke studio fame, who is likely to render sufi kalaam.

Leader of the visiting delegation Usmaan Peerzada, CEO, Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop, Lahore, said while answering a query, “The same weather, the same sights and sounds, similar people and life styles; only the names of the countries differ. Barring the script — we use Urdu — the language is also by and large the same, as are most cuisines. There is not much difference in life in India and Pakistan. In short, India feels like home to us every time we visit the country,” said Peerzada while interacting with the media.

He recalled that Saanjh was conceptualised in 2004 by the joint efforts of late Dr Shivinder Singh Sandhu and Manveen Sandhu and late Faizaan Peerzada, former COO, RPTW. “They wanted to quell the unnecessary hatred in the minds of Indian and Pakistani public towards each other and to unite them by exploring shared roots,” he said.

The visitors from across the border were received at the border by Dr Kirat Sandhu Cheema, director, Punarjyot, and Sahiljit Singh Sandhu, director, Spring Dale Educational Society.

Noted artiste Sai Hazoor, who has performed in 32 countries across the world, said Amritsar was like a home away from home. He said there was not much difference between Amritsar and Lahore in terms of people, their language and cuisine. He won the prestigious BBC Voice of the Year, 2006.

Dr Kirat said it was indeed a proud moment for the peaceniks that Saanjh had entered its 11th year. “The path to peace has never been smooth, but by God’s grace and because of our own resolute will, we have managed to turn hurdles into milestones. Punarjyot is committed to the cause of promoting peace in the region through initiatives like Saanjh also in the years to come,” she said.

Stating that the caravan of Saanjh had reached thus far only because of people’s support, Sandhu urged the peace lovers among the masses to join them in their quest for harmony. “The need of the hour is to work together on this issue, so that peace can prevail everywhere,” he said.

Amritsar, November 28
Citing an alarming health report certified by a private pharma company, which had set up a health check-up camp at the Bhagtanwala locality recently, the agitating residents now insist that the Municipal Corporation set up identical camps on a regular basis in their locality. The residents today also burnt an effigy of Local Bodies Minister Anil Joshi.

They want the MC to extend medical aid to those suffering from respiratory diseases. The residents claimed that around 90 per cent of them were suffering from one disease or the other even as a 55-year-old resident died recently due to a respiratory problem.

A reputed pharma company conducted a health check-up camp for the Bhagtanwala residents free of cost on November 24.

A company representative had confirmed that they had found a substantial number of residents suffering from chronic breathing problems. He had stated that those in the age group of 35-40 years were found to have contracted serious respiratory problems that normally arise when a person is over 60 years old. Several cases were diagnosed with lung disorders, too. These respiratory problems related to inhaling unhealthy air, he said.

A resident, Nawal Chawla, said there was hardly any family staying around the dumpyard whose family members did not have respiratory problems and hepatitis.

“I think there would have been an exception had you found a healthy family in any house in Ward No. 37, 38 and 39 that fall in our constituency. Even the death of one of our neighbours could not awaken the authorities to at least step up adoption of some remedial measures,” he said.

Supporting him, another resident, Sanjay Sharma, said residents had been losing their family members. “It is pity that a private medical firm had to take up our cause. I regret to say that the local authorities did not spare a thought in this direction. Local Bodies Minister Anil Joshi and BJP mayor Bakshi Ram Arora did not even visit us to hear our grievances,” he said.

Echoing the same views, Jai Inder Singh, a resident, said the residents here have been demanding their basic right to live a healthy life.

Amritsar, November 28
Harjinder Singh, a resident of Heir Colony, was crushed to death by a speeding car, bearing number PB-02-BL-6999. He along with his relative Balwant Singh was returning to his home on a cycle when the car hit them on Ajnala Road.

A case under Sections 3-4-A, 427, 278 and 201, IPC, and Section 134 of the Motor Vehicles Act was registered against the unidentified driver of the car. Investigations were on, said Talwinder Singh, investigating officer.

Amritsar, November 28
Mandeep Singh, alias Raju, a resident of Guru Ram Dass Nagar in the Kot Khalsa area here, today tried to commit suicide by hanging himself in the lock-up of Cantonment police station.

However, policemen present in the police station took prompt action after they noticed his attempt to end his life. The police have registered a case of suicide attempt against him.

According to information, Mandeep was arrested by the police yesterday for allegedly possessing 100 gm narcotic powder under the ongoing drive launched by the city police against drug trafficking. He was to be produced in the court today.

In the afternoon, he cut the blankets in order to make a rope from these. With the help of this ‘rope’, he tried to hang himself with the iron bars of the police lock-up. Policemen present in the police station took prompt action after they noticed his attempt to end his life.

Gurwinder Singh, SHO, Cantonment police station, said the policemen on duty noticed it and immediately brought him down and saved him. The police have registered a case under Section 309, IPC, against him.

The SHO said the police would produce him in the court and seek his police remand for further investigations.

Amritsar, November 28
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) lodged a complaint with the city police today against a Chinese national for allegedly publishing Guru Granth Sahib in an illegal manner. It urged the police to identify the culprit involved in the act. In a complaint submitted to the Kotwali police, SGPC secretary Manjit Singh alleged that the accused might be an Indian national, who had created a fake e-mail ID for the purpose. Manjit Singh said they had received information from an America-based Sikh devotee that he had found a person, who claimed himself to be a Chinese national, and was involved in publishing Guru Granth Sahib.

In the e-mail, the Chinese national claimed to supply the holy scripture by air or sea route. The secretary said the devotee had also forwarded the e-mail ID of the accused. He urged the police to register an FIR against the culprit after proper investigation through cyber cell. Meanwhile police officials confirmed that they had received a complaint in this regard. Further action was being initiated, they added. — TNS

Amritsar, November 28
In yet another robbery incident, a trader and his uncle were looted by two motorcycle-borne youths at gun point. The incident occurred on the Amritsar-Attari road here late last evening when the victims were going to supply biscuits in their four-wheeler.

Vikas Sharma, a resident of Sher Shah Suri road, Chheharta, said he used to supply biscuits to various shops of Amritsar. He said he along with his uncle, Rohit Kumar, was going to supply biscuits towards Attari. When they crossed Bhakna village, they heard the sound of a tyre bursting. He said they came out of their vehicle to check the tyres.

Sharma said as soon as they came out of the vehicle, two youths, travelling on a motorcycle (PB-020BF-5545), came from behind. They took out a pistol and asked them to hand over whatever cash they had. He said they snatched Rs 12,000 from him.

His uncle, however, showed some courage and attacked the accused with an iron rod. After a scuffle, the accused managed to flee, leaving their motorcycle behind. The Gharinda police have registered a case under Section 382, IPC, and Sections 25/54/59 of the Arms Act against the unidentified culprits.

Ravinder Singh, SHO, Gharinda police station, said they were ascertaining the ownership of the motorcycle, which the accused had left behind before escaping.

In the meanwhile, a couple of unidentified youths snatched a purse from a woman travelling by a rickshaw. The incident occurred near Khalsa College in the Ranjit Avenue area. Baljinder Kaur, the victim and a resident of Vachhowa village, said he was going towards Rattan Singh Chowk by a rickshaw when two motorcycle-borne accused came from behind and snatched her purse. She said her purse contained Rs 4,800 in cash, a mobile phone, stamps of her office and several important documents, including her identity card. Baljinder is a government employee.

The Civil Lines police have registered a case under Section 382 and 34, IPC, against the culprits while no arrest has been made so far.

Amritsar, November 28
In a unique initiative, Akal Purakh Ki Fauj (APKF), a Sikh organisation, has decided to bring Sikh entrepreneurs from across the globe on a single platform by launching “Coalition of Sikh Entrepreneurs” (CSE).

Addressing the first meeting of the new outfit, US-based entrepreneur, Suneet Singh Tuli, known for launching the world’s cheapest Akash tablet, commended the endeavour of all those, who played a key role in constituting the CSE. APKF chief advocate Jaswinder Singh said the move aimed at facilitating free exchange of ideas among Sikh entrepreneurs as well as addressing the issue of rising unemployment among the Sikh youth. “In the prevailing scenario, unemployment is leading to apostasy and drug addiction among Sikh youth. Therefore, we intend to project these entrepreneurs as role models for today’s youth so as to encourage them to go for self-employment. The CSE will also extend a helping hand to youth, who will take a step forward in this direction,” he added.

Jaswinder said the venture would help small entrepreneurs to coordinate with big industrialists and explore new avenues for the growth of their business. He said even business disputes among them could be resolved on the platform instead of moving to courts. Entrepreneurs from Punjab, Malaysia and Canada, who participated in the event, lauded the efforts of the APKF. They said it would be immensely beneficial for them. They also suggested forming a website and a directory of the CSE so that they could easily connect with each other.

Meanwhile, the CSE also announced its nine-member international committee headed by Suneet Singh Tuli. Chief Khalsa Diwan president Charanjit Singh Chadha and Sahni Group chief Vikramjit Singh Sahni will be its patrons. Similarly, 11 members were nominated to the national committee. It was also announced that the CSE will have its national-level meeting in New Delhi in January. Sikh entrepreneurs from across the country will converge in the capital for attending the conference. APKF leaders Jaswinder Singh Jassi, Kuljit Singh, Bhupinder Singh and Harjeet Singh were also present on the occasion. 

Amritsar, November 28
With the garbage collection coming to a halt in the city due to Bhagtanwala dump row, heaps of garbage, including biomedical waste, can be seen at government hospitals, posing a serious health hazard to patients.

Lifting of garbage from inside the hospital premises was irregular earlier too, but the present crisis has aggravated the problem. Employees at the hospital said no garbage had been lifted from the hospital for the last few days.

Waste generated at the hospital is dumped near the outer wall inside the premises. From there the Municipal Corporation is responsible for transporting the waste to disposal sites.

A visit to the hospital revealed that bio-medical waste was being mixed with general waste at the dumping site. According to the norms, biomedical waste is to be segregated at the point of generation.

The hospital staff demanded that the garbage dumped inside the premises should be lifted immediately as it was emanating smell.

“The dumping site is alongside the passage to Bebe Nanki Mother and Child Care Centre and various other wards. It does not look appropriate for a hospital to have such a big heap of garbage on its premises,” said an employee.

Balkar Singh, a visitor, said, “Most of the diseases are generally associated with the lack of hygiene. But it is disheartening to see that a reputed institute, responsible for restoration of health of the people is itself grappling with the problem of garbage removal.”

Meanwhile, the hospital authorities stated that lifting of garbage was the duty of the Municipal Corporation. They said the garbage should be disposed off daily. 

Amritsar, November 28
Dr HS Saini, professor, Department of Microbiology, has been nominated as returning officer for the elections of the Guru Nanak Dev University Teachers Association (GNDUTA) for 2014-15. The elections have been scheduled for December 3.

Prof Paramjit Singh, Dean, academic affairs, said the polling would be held between 9.30 am to 4 pm at the new lecture theatre block, near the Chemistry Department.

He said Dr SS Sohal, professor, Department of History, would conduct elections at Regional Campus, Jalandhar, from 10.30 am to 1.30 pm. Dr Rattan Singh, professor, Department of Laws, would conduct elections at the Regional Campus, Gurdaspur, from 11 am to 1 pm. Dr Palwinder Singh, professor, Department of Chemistry, would look after the electoral process at ASSM College, Mukandpur, from 10 am to 12 noon.

Prof Paramjit said voters from the Regional Campus, Satiala, GNDU College, Verka and Chung would cast their vote on the campus of Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar. Likewise, voters from GNDU College, Niari and Narote Jaimal Singh would cast their vote on the GNDU Regional Campus, Gurdaspur.

Voters from Regional Campus, Fattu Dhingha (Sultanpur Lodhi), GNDU College, Jalandhar and Bebe Nanki College, Mithra, would cast their vote at Regional Campus, Jalandhar. —TNS

Amritsar, November 28
As many as 1,300 NCC cadets from various educational institutes in Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, besides Amritsar, took part in a mega rally held by the NCC at the Khalsa College Senior Secondary School grounds, here today.

The aim of the rally was to encourage the people to maintain cleanliness under the “Swachch Bharat Abhiyan” and “Progressive and united India”. The rally was flagged off by Maj Gen GS Chima, Additional Director General of the NCC.

Chima said the Amritsar NCC group had the rare distinction of having a cadet awarded with Ashok Chakra in the 1965 Indo-Pak war. Cadet Pratap Singh of 7 Punjab battalion, NCC, had shown a high degree of presence of mind and fortitude. Besides, the cadets of the group had played an important role in Civil Defence duties during the war, said Chima.

An air show was also organised by Second Punjab Air Squadron NCC on the occasion. The NCC band presented music and cadets of first Punjab battalion NCC presented bhangra.

The event was organised under the guidance of Brigadier Balvinder Singh, SM, commander, NCC Group, Amritsar Col RS Batth was the chief coordinator of the event. The rally was attended by all NCC officers in the city, including Col Vikram Uppal, deputy commander, COs of all battalions under the group and all other staff.

Amritsar, November 28
The three-day Sri Guru Hargobind Gold Hockey Tournament (u-14), eleventh in the series, started at Butala village, near here today. The tournament is being organised by Baba Pallaha Sports Club (BPSC) in collaboration with Majha Punjabi Saath (MPS).

Twenty teams from the north are participating in the tournament. Six teams played three matches on the first day of the event. In the first match played between Maharaja Ranjeet Singh Hockey Academy (MRSHA), Amritsar and Master Bir Das Hockey Academy (MBDH), Nirwana (Haryana), MRSHA defeated MBDH by 1-0. In the second match Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), Amritsar, subdued Cheema Hockey Academy (CHA), Gurdaspur by scoring three more goals more than the CHA. In the final match, host team Baba Pallaha Hockey Academy (BPHA), Butala, defeated Khalsa Academy (KA), Mehta, by 5-0.

Coaches of participating teams said such tournaments could boost confidence of young players, who wanted to achieve perfection in the game. “All our players were eager to play in this tournament. They are very elated after having won.”