Tohra urges Sikhs not to debate edict
CHANDIGARH, Jan 27 — Leading journalist and editor of the Daily Ajit, Mr Barjindar Singh Hamdard, has termed the edict issued by the Akal Takht head priest, Bhai Ranjit Singh, summoning him regarding a news report as a blatant attack on the freedom of Press and against all holy Sikh traditions.

PSSC restrained from selling property
CHANDIGARH, Jan 27 — Mrs Paramvir Nijjar, Civil Judge, Junior Division, Chandigarh, has restrained the Punjab State Seeds Corporation PSSC from alienating and disposing of its immovable property and machinery apart from fixed assets available in the premises of its various projects and plants till Feb 5.

Ex-servicemen’s groups: unity in sight?
LUDHIANA: The election earlier this month of Brig Mohinder Singh as president of the Indian Ex-Services League at New Delhi has paved the way for unity among the two factions of the League’s Punjab and Chandigarh unit.

IMA for Punjab Medical Council
PATIALA, Jan 27 — The Punjab unit of the Indian Medical Association, has demanded immediate setting up of the Punjab Medical Council and district-level health committees to fight quackery, improve health services and regulate the working of nursing homes in the state.

Plea to supply canal water for drinking
CHANDIGARH, Jan 27 — While nearly 30 lakh urbanites in Punjab have no access to safe drinking water, the sub soil water in the Faridkot-Kotkapura-Bathinda-Sangrur-Moga-Abohar belt is unfit for human consumption.

3 contractors blacklisted
LUDHIANA, Jan 27 — Mr Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana, has blacklisted three contractors — Rajinder Singh Bhandari, Prabhjot Singh and Friends and Co.

Preserve hard-won freedom, says Tandon
CHANDIGARH, Jan 27 — Reports of Republic Day celebrations have been received from several parts of the state.

Ajit "cannot be bullied"
Tohra urges Sikhs not to debate edict
By Gobind Thukral
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 27 — Leading journalist and editor of the Daily Ajit, Mr Barjindar Singh Hamdard, has termed the edict issued by the Akal Takht head priest, Bhai Ranjit Singh, summoning him regarding a news report as a blatant attack on the freedom of Press and against all holy Sikh traditions.

The news story concerned a banned book and was based on a press conference by Akali Dal (Mann) MLA Ajit Singh Mofar. Later Ajit carried a front page explanation about the publication of the news and also editorially asked the people and the government to condemn the book that denigrated Sikh Gurus and made fun of the Akalis. The writer is already in jail and the book has been banned. But Bhai Ranjit Singh received complaints including one from the SGPC's Dharam Prachar Committee.

"I have the highest regard for the institution of Akal Takht. But I do protest the way it is being misused to settle personal scores and political feuds. Neither the all-India Gurdwara Act nor any Sikh tradition empowers the person occupying that position to keep issuing one or the other kind of hukamnama, divide the Sikhs and sow seeds of controversies and hatred", Mr Hamdard told TNS today.

At the same time, the beleagured SGPC President Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra mounted a big support for the Akal Takht head priest. In a statement issued here, Mr Tohra termed all edicts issued from that temporal seat of Sikhs as orders from the Almighty. "It should not become a subject of debate in the columns of newspapers. It does not behove the Sikhs to discuss the merits and demerits of these edicts. When a case is sub-judice, it is not discussed in the newspapers and for Sikhs a Hukamnama from Akal Takht is much more than this. These are sanctimonious orders and these should be treated as issued by God Almighty", he said.

But Mr Hamdard did not share this perception. He alleged that the great institution of Akal Takht, meant to guide the religious ceremonies and preach Sikhism, had been turned by leaders like Mr Tohra into a tool to settle political scores. "Is this the job of Akal Takht, whose head priest has been charged with amassing property and filing false affidavits, not only to summon the Editor of a leading Punjabi Daily, but also the head priest of another Takht, Sri Kesgarh Sahib, Bhai Manjit Singh. To what levels are we falling", he said in a voice choked with emotion.

Mr Hamdard did not say whether he would present himself and explain his position by February 11, the deadline set for him and Ajit's senior correspondent, Mr Major Singh or only write to the Akal Takht chief. But it was clear from his comments, he would not take it lying down. "Ajit has been in the forefront in the Punjab's struggle for democracy, freedom and peace. Though Mr Tohra is now critical, but he has been singing songs for years in praise of Ajit's role during the 15 years of Punjab's tragic holocaust. He has changed tracks, because of his own needs and compulsions. We do not have to react to that change. We stand for the freedom of the Press, democratic traditions of the Sikhs and teachings of the great Gurus.", he said.

Talking about the genesis of the present crisis and the spate of edicts, Mr Hamdard said his newspaper and he himself had been critical of the way the present Jathedar was functioning and interfering in the daily affairs of the Akali Dal and the Punjab Government. "This new tradition of Hukamnama has been invented to score in politics and the present incumbent, who himself faces several charges, is misusing it", he said.

Mr Hamdard alleged that the status of Akal Takht had been lowered in this fashion. "Earlier scores were tried to be settled in the Delhi Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. Now in order to shut the voice of Punjab, an edict has been issued. We shall not be cowed down or bullied. If the Jathedar can summon a fellow Jathedar and a leading Editor what more can be done", he added.

Mr Hamdard also wanted the people to judge for themselves what role who was playing.

But evidently, Mr Tohra does not agree with this line of Mr Hamdard. His statement which appealed to the Sikhs not to fall prey to this so called freedom of the Press and join the unnecessary debate said welcoming such edicts does not enhance the value of these Godly edicts and by opposing them they do not lose their strength. Any Sikh can make suggestions to Akal Takht, but there is no need to run a debate in the newspapers. It does not behove the Sikhs", he said.

Referring to the Akali Dal and its discipline, Mr Tohra said: "for Sikhs party discipline is important. But Akal Takht is supreme and no worldly organisation or institution can match. Even to think of that is a matter of shame".

Having a dig at Ajit, Mr Tohra said, "Have pity on Sikh Panth. Sikhs are sick of the daily run of misstatements and misleading articles. Ajit should desist from this approach. This will be good for the Sikh Panth and Ajit also". Mr Tohra asked Mr Hamdard to present himself before Akal Takht and obey its orders and stop meddling in Akali politics.

PSSC restrained from selling property
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 27 — Mrs Paramvir Nijjar, Civil Judge, Junior Division, Chandigarh, has restrained the Punjab State Seeds Corporation PSSC from alienating and disposing of its immovable property and machinery apart from fixed assets available in the premises of its various projects and plants till February 5.

This order was handed down by the civil judge on an application moved by the Punjab National Bank, saying that the Punjab State Seeds Corporation owed it a loan of Rs 57,18,36,442.17 which it had failed to repay, notwithstanding numerable requests in writing as also verbal. "The bank is left with no other alternative but to invoke the jurisdiction of the Debit Recovery Tribunal for the recovery of the outstanding amount against the corporation," said the suit filed by the PNB.

Mrs Nijjar observed: "I have heard the learned counsel for the plaintiff on injunction application and have also pursued the documents placed on file and there is a, prima facie, case in favour of the plaintiff at this stage. Hence defendants are restrained from alienating and disposing of the immovable property — land measuring 79 kanal and 10 marla bearing khasra no 1329-1330 situated at Kartarpur and the building constructed with the loan amount granted by the plaintiff bank as well as the machinery and other fixed assets available in the premises of the various projects and plants as mentioned in the hypothecation deed situated at Ludhiana, Kartarpur, Kotkapura, Abohar and Patiala till February 5, 1999."

She ordered that notice of the suit along with injunction application be given to the defendants on filing of PF, copies etc, for date fixed. Compliance under order 39 rule 3 CPC be made accordingly.

The judge further ruled: "I have also heard the counsel for the plaintiff on application for the appointment of the Local Commissioner. Mr AB Singh Wasu, advocate, Chandigarh, is hereby appointed as Local Commissioner who will go to the sites after giving prior notice to both parties and will take inventory as well as prepare the stocks statements of immovable and moveable assets and property of the respondent-corporation and its subordinate offices available at different projects of the respondents-defendants. The fee of the LC is fixed at Rs 5,000 which will be paid by the plaintiff. Report of the Local Commissioner should be awaited on February 15, 1999."

Ex-servicemen’s groups: unity in sight?
from A.S. Prashar
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA: The election earlier this month of Brig Mohinder Singh as president of the Indian Ex-Services League at New Delhi has paved the way for unity among the two factions of the League’s Punjab and Chandigarh unit.

"We expect very positive changes in the League’s setup in the state in the days to come", says Col Chanan Singh Dhillon, the body’s senior vice-president who has been heading one of the factions after the death of Gen Gurbachan Singh Buch last year.

"I hope that the two factions would soon come together and work shoulder to shoulder for the welfare of the nearly six lakh ex-servicemen in Punjab and Chandigarh".

Colonel Dhillon has convened meeting of the League here on February 7 to chalk out the next course of action. "Once I have held consultations with the member of the League, we will know how, when and in which direction to proceed," he says.

The Indian Ex-services League unit has remained divided into two groups for over 12 years. One group is headed by Brig Mohinder Singh while the other is led by General Buch. Due to prolonged illness and the death of General Buch, the day-to-day functioning of the League was being conducted by Colonel Dhillon.

The group led by Brig Mohinder Singh is strong in Amritsar and Gurdaspur districts, while the League headed by General Buch, has been active in the rest of the state. An unfortunate fallout of the groupism was that while the rival factions competed with each other, the state government ignored both of them and carried out the sainik welfare activities through its setup alone. This left out a large segment of ex-servicemen.

"Sainik welfare measures undertaken by the government without the participation of the league is mere window-dressing," says Colonel Dhillon. "We are the people who are in touch with the ex-servicemen at the grassroots in their villages, farms and houses. We are fully aware of their day-to-day difficulties and their social problems which the government has no means of knowing. Hence, the need for associating the League with these activities".

A very important aspect of the welfare of the ex-servicemen, he says is their honour and respect in society as a whole. The monetary benefit is just one aspect. In the changing socio-economic situation, the ex-servicemen, defence personnel and their dependents and widows do not have the desired political clout, especially in villages. Their social complaints and other related matters do not receive due attention of the authorities. This aspect is beyond the scope of sainik boards.

"Earlier, we used to effectively deal with such cases on one-to-one basis by having rapport with the civil and police administration. We used to receive continuous feedback through our activists in villages, blocks and districts. Unfortunately, since 1993 due to politicisation of ex-servicemen which gave a fillip to factionalism in the rank and file as also among officers in the League, the cause of the welfare of ex-servicemen, widows and their dependents has suffered a severe setback. This lack of solidarity has also caused negative attitude in the channels of sainik welfare, particularly at the district level", Col Dhillon says.

All this will now hopefully change when the two factions come together and present a united face to the government.

44,500 await pension
From Sushil Goyal

ROPAR, Jan 27 — Even though the Punjab Government denies there is financial crisis in the state, more than 44,500 beneficiaries of the old-age pension scheme in this district have been waiting for pension for the third quarter (October to December, 1998) of the current financial year.

Pension has also not been disbursed to disabled persons, dependant children, widows and destitute women.

All beneficiaries of the welfare schemes started by the government receive Rs 200 per month from the District Social Security Office here. As the pensions have not been disbursed so far, many aged pensioners and beneficiaries of other schemes can be seen visiting the local office of the Social Security Department everyday to enquire about the dole.

According to sources, the local District Social Security Office had sent the bills of old-age pensioners to the local treasury more than a month ago. But these bills to the tune of Rs 1.50 crore have so far not been passed by the treasury, perhaps, under instructions from the state Finance Department.

The sources say the Finance Department has verbally instructed the treasuries not to pass a bill of more than 5 lakh.

According to information, there are 44,741 beneficiaries of old-age pension scheme in Ropar district, of which 26,150 are from the new scheme while 18,591 are from the old one. The government has allotted an annual Budget of Rs 6,64,84800, for them of which Rs 3,76,61600 has so far been disbursed.

Likewise, there are 6,077 widows and destitute women pensioners in the district among whom Rs 50 lakh has already been disbursed out of the allotted budget of Rs 90,4100 for the current financial year, though there is a need for Rs 1.50 crore for the purpose during this financial year.

Dependent children number 2,582 in this district. An amount of Rs 46,90,000 has been allotted for them out of which Rs 26,62,300 has already been disbursed.

In the case of disabled persons, the number of beneficiaries is 2,425 in the district to whom Rs 24,76,100 has so far been disbursed.

IMA for Punjab Medical Council
From Our Correspondent

PATIALA, Jan 27 — The Punjab unit of the Indian Medical Association, has demanded immediate setting up of the Punjab Medical Council and district-level health committees to fight quackery, improve health services and regulate the working of private nursing homes in the state.

The demand is part of a number of resolutions adopted by the "IMA", at a general body meeting at Ludhiana on Sunday. Releasing the minutes of the meeting and a copy of the memorandum sent to the Chief Minister, Health Minister, Local Bodies Minister, Members of the Legislative Assembly and the Leader of Opposition here today, Dr Romesh Gupta, president and Dr O.P.S. Kande, chairman, legal cell 'IMA' said the state government had not set up the council since 1980. President and four other members of the council are nominated by the government while six are elected by the registered medical practitioners in the state. This council regulates working of all hospitals and nursing homes in the state and in its absence, all decisions regarding medical services were used to be taken by the government without involving the medical fraternity.

The association also laments that despite various anti-quackery declarations made both by government and judiciary quackery was still prevalent in the state. To fight quackery, the 'IMA' demands the forming of district-level health committees. Its members can be the District and Sessions Judge, Senior Superintendent of Police, Civil Surgeon, IMA representative, journalist of high repute in the district and representative of District Chemists and Druggists Association.

The IMA has, in the memorandum, also urged the government to exclude private hospitals from the provisions of commercial establishments and calculate all charges and taxes like electricity, house tax etc at ordinary rates. This will help in reducing the cost of treatment at private hospitals, the IMA argues.

It had also passed a resolution demanding the Chief Minister to intervene immediately in the stand-off between the Municipal Corporation Patiala and the private nursing homes of the city. The IMA states the 'MC' has issued notices to the nursing homes either to stop functioning from residential areas or face demolition. These notices according to the 'IMA' are unjustified as talks several times between the nursing homes corporation and a representative had taken place in the past where it was decided to charge some registration fee from these nursing homes to allow them to function from their present premises. However, the corporation has suddenly issued these notices, the IMA urges.

Plea to supply canal water for drinking
By Sarbjit Singh
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 27 — While nearly 30 lakh urbanites in Punjab have no access to safe drinking water, the sub soil water in the Faridkot-Kotkapura-Bathinda-Sangrur-Moga-Abohar belt is unfit for human consumption.

Informed official sources told TNS that even in big cities like Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Bathinda, Patiala and Moga, 35 to 40 per cent of the people did not have a proper clean drinking water facility. The same was the fate of other about 120 municipal towns.

As much as Rs 300 crore was required for covering this segment of the population in urban areas for providing clean drinking water, the sources added.

When contacted in this connection, Mr Satya Pal Mahajan, Chairman of the Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board, said the Board was seized of the matter and was doing the needful.

He said the urban settlements dependent on their own sources were drawing water from a depth varying between 30 to 100 feet in the sub-soil, whereas the drinking water provided by the Board in various towns and cities was drawn from a depth of 300 to 400 feet. The water drawn from such a depth was considered to be safe for drinking, he added.

Talking about the Faridkot-Kotkapura-Moga-Abohar area where the sub soil water was unfit for human consumption, Mr Mahajan said he had mooted a proposal for providing canal water for drinking purposes to the urban settlements in the area. In fact, in certain urban areas in the belt the exercise had already been started by the Board, he added.

He said the 10th Finance Commission had provided about Rs 60 crore to the Board for providing drinking water to the remaining population in Fazilka, Bathinda, Hoshiarpur, Jaitu, Batala, Abohar, Kotkapura and Gurdaspur.

Under the commission funds, new towns like Bhadur, Dirba, Ghanure, Cheema, Ghagga, Bhogpur, Beguwal, Dhilwan, Ramdass, Jandiala Guru, Mukerian etc had been included. Water supply schemes in the areas would be completed by the end of the current financial year. Another six towns — Fatehgarh Churian, Sujanpur, Dera Baba Nanak, Sanur, Baghapurana and Majitha — would also be covered under another scheme funded by the Central Government, he added.

Mr Mahajan said the World Bank had been approached by the Board for funds to the tune of Rs 500 crore, but the project had not been cleared so far. He had now planned to submit a modified proposal to the bank for providing funds.

It may be mentioned here that the World Bank had refused to clear various projects pertaining to Punjab following the state government's announcement to give free power and water to the agriculture sector.

Preserve hard-won freedom, says Tandon

CHANDIGARH, Jan 27 — Reports of Republic Day celebrations have been received from several parts of the state:

SANGRUR: Mr Balramji Dass Tandon, Minister for Local Government and Employment, unfurled the National Flag and took the salute at a joint march past presented by the contingents of the Punjab Home Guards and NCC cadets on Republic Day.

Mr Tandon urged people to preserve the hard-won freedom of the country by honestly performing their duties. As many as 20 sewing machines and 15 tricycles were presented to needy.

FEROZEPORE: Minister for Agriculture, Punjab, Mr Gurdev Singh Badal hoisted National Flag at the District-level Republic Day function held here at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Stadium.

Some freedom fighters, social workers and officials of some departments were honoured. They included Mr G.S. Dhillon, Mr Jagjit Singh Mann and Mr Gurinder Singh.

GURDASPUR:Mr Nirmal Singh Kahlon, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayats, unfurled National Flag here. He took salute from contingents of the Punjab Police, NCC boys and girls, air wing and girl guides.

18 sewing machines, 5 tricycles and one wheel chair were presented to the needy on behalf of the District Red Cross. Mr Paramjit Singh, Arjuna Award winner, Sub Inspector, Ashok Kumar,Prof Raj Kumar and Charanjit Singh were recognised for their outstanding services.

KAPURTHALA: Mrs Jagir Kaur Lubana, Tourism Minister, unfurled the National Flag at local Guru Nanak Stadium on Tuesday. She took a salute from contingents of Punjab Police, Home Guards, NCC and Scouts.

She also distributed sewing machines and tricycles among needy persons.

A colourful cultural programme was presented on the occasion

Reports of celebrations of Republic Day were received from the local municipal council, Congress office, Sultanpur Lodhi and Phagwara sub-divisions.

NAWANSHAHR: The Welfare Minister, Me Sarwan Singh Phillaur unfurled the Tricolour and took march past salute from contingents of the Punjab Police, PAP. Home Guards jawans and NCC cadets of schools and colleges here at the district level Republic Day function.

Addressing the gathering , he said the economic development through industrialisation was the top priority of the state govt.

Over 20 sewing machines and 22 tricycles were given by the District Red Cross Society to poor. As many as 14 freedom fighters and 22 persons from the district were also honoured for their distinguished services in the different fields.

PATHANKOT: The 50th Republic Day was celebrated in the local SD School ground. The Forest Minister, Mr Mohan Lal, unfurled the flag.

He said Ranjit Sagar Dam would be inaugurated by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on February 12.

A cultural programme was presented by schools and colleges and the minister announced a sum of Rs 25000 for this programme.

HOSHIARPUR: Mr Manoranjan Kalia, Health Minister, Punjab unfurled the National Flag and took march past salute in a impressive passing out parade.

Mr Kalia said the state government would spend Rs 422.88 crore in 150 hospitals to provide improved health services to the people.

Twenty persons were honoured by the District Administration for their achievements in different fields. Twenty sewings were provided to the needy widows on this occasion.

JALANDHAR: The Food and Civil Supplies Minister, Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, unfurled the National Flag at the Guru Gobind Singh Stadium here on Tuesday.

In his address he asked people to work for the downtrodden, sick and homeless.

The State Minister for Irrigation unfurled the National Flag at Phillaur.

AMRITSAR: The Minister of Cooperative, Mr Ranjit Singh Brahampura, after unfurling the National Flag at Guru Nanak Dev Stadium said that the Akali-BJP government by own initiative raised the outlay for the Ninth Five Year Plan from the earlier Rs 6000 crore to Rs 14,300 crore. This amount would be spend on totally big development projects.

The minister presented 31 tricycles to the disabled persons and gave 15 sewing machines to the poor and widows.

The Vice-Chancellor of the Guru Nanak Dev University, Dr H.S. Soch, unfurled the National Flag at the university campus.

He made a fervent appeal to the intelligentsia to come forward to rebuild the moral fibre of the nation.

The local Senior Citizens Association celebrated Republic Day at Rose Garden. Mr Harbans Singh unfurled the Tricolour. Freedom fighter Mahendra Pratap expressed his concern over rising corruption.

ROPAR: The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, unfurled the National Flag on the occasion of 50th Republic Day at Nehru Stadium here on Tuesday.

Mr Badal also inspected the parade and took a march past salute. He also released pigeons and balloons.

Addressing the gathering, he warned the people of the state against the external forces and some "our own people who had been pushing the state towards 'black days'. We should identify these forces and ask people to maintain peace and prosperity in the state."

The Chief Minister said he had preferred to come here to unfurl the National Flag turning down invitation from some big districts, because this was the district 'whose pious land had given us power to fight the tyranny and repression."

Mr Badal said the state government would do allround development of Anandpur Sahib. He also called upon the people of all religions and castes to celebrate the tercentenary of the birth of the Khalsa from a single platform.

Mr Badal also honoured some persons for their achievements in different fields.

A cultural programme was also presented by students of local schools. Tableaus, depicting development in various fields, were also taken out by different government departments.

BATHINDA: The Punjab government has constituted a committee to devise methods for introducing job-oriented education in schools. This announcement was made by Punjab Technical Education Minister, Dr Upinderjit Kaur, after unfurling the National Flag on Republic Day.

After taking salute from different contingents of police and NCC cadets, she distributed 70 sewing machines and 40 tricycles among poor. She also honoured DSP, Mr Jaspreet Singh Sidhu, for his efforts in plugging a canal breach in Bathinda district. She honoured 15 national-level players of this district.

FATEHGARH SAHIB: Mr Charanjit Singh Atwal, Speaker, Vidhan Sabha, unfurled the National Flag here. In his address he highlighted the achievements of the Punjab government.

Six tricycles and 18 sewing machines were presented to needy widows. Bharat Vikas Parishad, Bassi Pathana, also donated five sewing machines.

FARIDKOT: Punjab Education Minister, Mr Tota Singh, unfurled the National Flag on Republic Day at a district-level function held at Nehru-Stadium here.

He took the march past salute and distributed 20 tricycles and sewing machines. He lauded the role of Punjabis who remained in the forefront during the freedom struggle. School students presented cultural programmes.

Baba Farid varsity Senate by July
From Our Correspondent

FARIDKOT, Jan 27 — A closed-door meeting of the Board of Directors of Baba Farid Medical Health Sciences University was held here today.

The meeting, which lasted three hours, was presided over by Dr Jasbir Singh Bajaj, Chairman of the board. Ten out of 14 members attended it. Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal, Minister of State for Industries, was also present.

Briefing newsmen on the details of the meeting Dr LS Chawla said the construction of the university complex would begin in April and 122 acres for the same would be acquired next month.

He said the Senate and Academic Council would be constituted by July-end. The university, in collaboration with one of the three universities of Punjab, would conduct the forthcoming PMT.

Plan to improve school working
From Our Correspondent

FARIDKOT, Jan 27 — The Punjab government has formulated a plan to improve education in the state. Under the scheme, seven-member committees comprising ex-servicemen, wards of students and heads of institutions would be constituted to improve infrastructure in every school. Initially, every institution will be allocated a grant of Rs 1 lakh and an equal amount will be collected by members of the bodies to implement the scheme. The government has earmarked Rs 10 crore for the purpose, Education Minister Tota Singh said at a press conference here yesterday.

Assistance would be sought from NRIs and charitable institutions. The minister said two schools one each for boys and girls in every block, would be converted into model schools.

He made it clear that no more Adarsh schools would be opened in the state.

Mr Tota Singh said the entire plan would be implemented by the end of February. A proposal was also under consideration to decentralise powers of the Circle Education Offices.

To a question, the minister said 500 schools would be upgraded during the next academic session.

School principal 'assaulted'
From Our Correspondent

MALERKOTLA, Jan 27 — The Gazetted School Officers Association, Punjab in a press note issued here yesterday, sought a high-level probe into the alleged beating up of the principal of Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Dhuri, 20 km from here, by a lecturer of the same school and her husband.

Mr Joginder Singh Aulakh president of the association, alleged that the Dhuri police had not taken any action against the husband of the lecturer he, was a B.D.P.O.

Mr Aulakh alleged that when the principal asked the lecturer to give reasons for her coming late to school, she called her husband from home and both beat up the principal who was seriously hurt and admitted to hospital.

The association demanded stern action against the husband of the lecturer because of his "illegal interference" in school affairs.

B.Ed. college for Ludhiana
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Jan 27 — Construction work of the building of D.D. Jain College of Education-cum-Sports Complex, adjoining the existing Devki Devi Jain College, Kidwai Nagar, here has begun. Its "bhumi poojan" was performed by the college president Mr Sukhdev Raj Jain. Dignitaries, including Mr Hira Lal Jain, vice-president, all India Jain Conference, college manager Gian Chand Jain and secretary Nand Kumar Jain, were present.

The foundation stone of this complex was laid down last year by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.

The complex is being constructed on 16,000 sq. yds of land and will cost around Rs 10 crore. Besides B.Ed. college, a modern computer centre and a complex for sports will be started.

Boy goes through kidnap trauma
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Jan 27 — Kashish Arora looks through the wire mesh door as this correspondent rings the door bell of his house in Madhopuri area. His voice quivering, he asks the identity of the caller before opening the latch. As this correspondent steps inside, Kashish, after saying a polite "hello", hides behind his mother.

Barely 30 hours after being released from captivity, Kashish seems a little dazed. He was kidnapped on the morning of January 23 while on his way to school in an autorickshaw. And was released in the wee hours of the morning yesterday after his parents reportedly paid a ransom of a little more than Rs 1 lakh to the kidnappers.

Mr Kamal Arora, father of the boy says "the police gave us maximum cooperation". After the boy was released, the Punjab DGP, Mr P.C. Dogra, in an informal chat with the media yesterday, had said that since the kidnappers called the boy out of the autorickshaw by his name, there was a possibility of the involvement of an insider.

However, Mrs Dimple Arora, mother of Kashish, had said the family did not agree with this theory. Mr Kanwal Khurana, Kashish's maternal uncle, said his nephew had told him that there were three or four members in the gang who always appeared before him in disguise.

Kashish also informed his uncle that he was kept in comfort, probably in a village.

The SSP, Mr Kuldip Singh, and the DGP had said yesterday that the criminals involved would be held soon.

The DGP had further assured that to prevent the occurrence of such an incident, a special police cell would soon become functional in the city.

Police helps accused, beats up complainant
Tribune News Service

BATHINDA, Jan 27 — The Lok Morcha, Punjab in its report alleged that officials and other staff members of the local Civil Lines police station mercilessly beat up Mrs Santra, a Gujarati woman, when she tried to narrate the incident of kidnapping and outraging of modesty of another Gujarati woman by Hukam Chand in the Kamla Nehru Colony.

Mr N.K. Jeet, President, Lok Morcha, Punjab, alleged in the report that on January 24 (Sunday) afternoon, Hukam Chand entered the house of Mrs Nannu and dragged her unmarried sister to his house where he allegedly outraged her modesty and tore her clothes up.

The girl was rescued by other woman residing in the same locality. Residents then went to Civil Lines police station and reported the matter to the police official concerned. Instead of registering a case in this regard, the police official concerned went to the spot for the verification of incident.

Mr Jeet alleged that when Mrs Santra tried to explain incident, police official concerned along with other staff members started beating up Mrs Santra and Mrs Santra fell unconscious.

After this incident, Mrs Meena and Mrs Geeta who were sister and sister-in-law of the victim of Hukam Chand, went to the police station for registering the case. In the police station, instead of registering the case, the policemen started beating up Mrs Meena with sticks and refused to register any case. Mrs Meena received many injuries, the report said.

The report further reveals that earlier, Hukam Chand allegedly tried to implicate Ravi and Sonu (brothers) and Mr Kaliash (brother-in-law) of Mrs Nannu into a false criminal case by inflicting injuries himself on his body.

Mr Jeet said that during investigation it was also found that one police official also took a bribe of Rs 500 from Mrs Nannu for sparing brothers and brother-in-law from thrashing.

Mr Jeet said that the Lok Morcha demanded an impartial probe into the incident, relief for Mrs Nannu and other victims of police torture and atrocities of Hukam Chand and strict action against police officials involved in the beating of Mrs Santra and Mrs Meena.

Mr Des Raj, in charge, Civil Lines Police Station, when contacted said that a case under Sections 452 and 354 of the IPC had been registered against Hukam Chand and accused Hukam Chand would be arrested today. He denied the beating up of women in the police station or in Kamla Nehru locality. He said that a case under 107 and 151 of the Cr. P.C. had been registered against the brothers and brother-in-law of Mrs Nannu.

Killing of hare: FIRs against 15
Tribune News Service

PHULOKHARI (Bathinda), Jan 27 — The State Wildlife Department authorities have registered departmental FIRs against 15 persons who were allegedly involved in the killing of 200 hare in dog race, organised on January 11 and 12 on the land of Guru Gobind Singh Oil refinery which is under construction here.

Though the residents of the village are tightlipped about the identity of organisers of the dog race, cases were registered by the wildlife authorities after the identification of some participants on the spot.

Sources said most of the participants against whom the FIRs had been registered were kith and kin of certain influential persons. The department authorities were reportedly under pressure to hush up the case at the initial stage.

The Raman police has already registered a case in this connection under Section 428 of IPC on January 25. The Deputy Commissioner Mr S.R. Ladhar, had directed the SDM, Talwandi Sabo, Mr Krishan Chand, on January 27 to hold an independent probe.

Mr Gurcharan Singh, Inspector, Wildlife, told TNS that challans of these 15 persons would be presented in the court this week. He said he himself went to the spot on January 12 and identified 15 persons. Most of the participants ran away from the spot when he raided the venue of competition, he said.

He said four participants belonged to Pathrala village bordering Dabwali town of Haryana, four from Chak Rulduwala village, two from Shekhoo village, one each from Shergarh village in Sangrur district and Bandi (Punjab) and Panniwala Motu village and Chormar in Sirsa district.

Declining to disclose the name of these participants, he said that so far 26 cases of hunting of wild animals had been reported from Mansa and Bathinda districts in the current financial year.

He said as per preliminary information, three races were organised on January 11 while eight races were organised on January 12. Killing of 13 hare in these races had been confirmed. The hare were brought in the jeeps on the venue packed in gunny bags.

"Had we not reached there on January 12, the races could have continued for two more days. With two guards and one motorcycle, we could identify only 15 persons while the other participants ran away, he added.

Mr Balbir Chand, Wildlife Conservator, Punjab, when contacted on phone told TNS that the Director, Wildlife, Mr Gurmit Singh had been sent to Bathinda to handle the case. He said action would be taken against the guilty. The Wildlife department would start prosecution in this case shortly.

Held for making fake "Surf"
From Our Correspondent

AMRITSAR, Jan 27 — The city police today unearthed a factory manufacturing "fake" surf and detergent powder in Dashmesh Avenue here today and arrested its owner Joginder Singh.

The SSP, Mr GS Tohra, in a press note issued, claimed on a tip off, a police party led by DSP Chaman Lal Sharma raided the factory and recovered a large quantity of detergent being packed in bags of prominent brands.

A case under Sections 33 and 99 and 420, IPC, was registered.

3 contractors blacklisted
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Jan 27 — Mr Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana, has blacklisted three contractors — Rajinder Singh Bhandari, Prabhjot Singh and Friends and Co.

Their earnest money deposits have been forfeited.

The Municipal Commissioner has also suspended Mr Kamal Kumar posted at the local railway station octroi post for being absent from duty during a surprise check.