Another drug haul in city
Interrogation leads to seizure
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, June 12 — More than a week after a team of the Chandigarh Police caught three persons with one of the biggest-ever haul of smack in the city, another 3 kg of smack, or brown sugar, valued at almost Rs 3 crore in the international market has been seized from the same gang following investigations.

The gang leader, Swaran Singh, a Punjab Police personnel, told the Chandigarh Police during investigations that he had hidden 3 kg of smack in a place specially carved out in the body of the car, the SSP, Mr C.S.R. Reddy , said this evening. The smack had been hidden in the boot of the car where the speakers of the stereo system are usually fitted.

This car (DL--3C--A--9406) also had stereo and speakers. At the back side of the speakers, a small place had been carved out to stock the smack in the car .

The trio was nabbed while travelling in this car on June 3. A huge consignment of drugs was recovered by a police party of the CIA wing headed by Inspector Jasbir Singh Cheema.The car had been impounded then.

The latest haul of drugs comes in the wake of interrogation launched by the police. " We were checking if he had any links with militants and if he was also involved in smuggling any arms or explosives from across the border," a source in the investigating party said. Though nothing of that sort has been established the arrested policeman gave the tip off about the drugs.

Meanwhile, the police has also traced the calls made from the mobile number of Swaran Singh . The calls were made to a number in Sialkot (Pakistan).

The modus operandi was that the cop and Prakash, a Jammu-based partner of his, used to meet each other in Amritsar and the duo used to collectively place the order to the main drug supply source across the border. The mobile phone with five SIM cards had been seized from the cop when he was nabbed on June 3.

A police party that went to Jammu to nab Prakash could not trace him. According to the police the arrested cop probably realised that he would be behind bars for a long time and the smack would go bad during this period. Thus he gave the information about the additional consignment hidden in the car. A fresh case under Section 21 of the NDPS Act has been registered.

On June 3, 9 kg of smack had been recovered from Swaran Singh, Sukhwinder Singh and Sandeep Singh.

The police had also detained a Goan woman, Mrs John, living in the Modern Housing Complex , Manimajra. Her son-in-law , Caluawa, who is from an African country, was also interrogated. under Section 21 of the NDPS Act.

While Swaran Singh was remanded to six days in police custody, the other two were remanded to four days in police custody.

New line to ease power position
Tribune News Service

PANCHKULA, June 12 — The long-pending proposal to provide a direct link between two 66-kv sub-stations to fulfil the power requirement of the entire township is under way with the Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam (HVPN) erecting towers to lay the additional transmission high tension (HT) line.

The new 66-kv line, estimated to cost about Rs 1.5 crore and scheduled to be completed by June 30, is expected to take some more time. Once commissioned, it would provide an alternative link between the sub-station in Sector 1 and another in Industrial Area, Phase-II.

At present, the supply from the 132-kv Pinjore sub-station to the sub-station in Industrial Area has to be routed through the 66-kv sub-station in Sector 1 and the 220-kv sub-station in Madanpur.

In absence of a direct link between the local sub-stations, the supply to the southern part of the township is badly affected in case of a breakdown on the Madanpur — Industrial Area HT line. Recently, Sectors 8,9, 10,12, 14,15,16,17, 19, MES and Industrial Estate had plunged into darkness due to a snag in the line.

The township gets its supply from two sources — the Ropar grid and Kunihar Hydro project in Himachal Pradesh. Officials say that with the the existing system, if supply from Ropar is being taken by the Sector 1 sub-station, supply from Kunihar cannot be taken as it is a single circuit line.

Moreover, the new alternative 7-km HT line would reduce the line losses as the length of the existing Sector 1- Madanpur-Industrial Area 66-kv line is about 10 km.

The direct link between the two local sub-station would reduce load on the Industrial Area sub-station, which is feeding at least 60 per cent of the township and increase the reliability of the transmission system.

Keeping in mind the growth of population, two more 66-kv sub-stations, one each at Mansa Devi and in Sector 3 are also planned.

The officials say that going by the number of flats of cooperative housing societies coming up in Mansa Devi Complex and the new sectors in the Panchkula extension, the power requirement of the township is expected to grow from the existing 57 MVA to 110 MVA by year 2002.

Water scarcity likely to continue
Only 5 of 20 new tubewells may function
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, June 12 — The prayers of city residents for the augmentation of the existing water supply are unlikely to be answered as only five of the 20 tubewells to be sunk for this purpose are likely to be operational in two months.

The city has been been feeling the pinch in the scorching heat as the existing supply has been unable to meet the requirement of the people. The problem has been further aggravated with the Centre turning down the proposal for the augmentation of the next phase of the Kajauli water works scheme.

While the need to do so was felt as the Punjab Government had taken its share of about 2.5 MGD of water for SAS Nagar from the works, the low discharge from the old tubewell sites and the high costs in operating them also proved to be clinching factors.

The total drawal from these deep-bore tubewells is designed to be in the range of 16,000 to 20,000 gallons each per day and the total discharge available will be around 8 million gallons per days (MGD) of water.

According to sources, work on five tubewells has been completed but would be limited to the supply lines in a couple of months' time. The boring work is going on at many sites since it takes more than three months to sink a tubewell at a depth of 1,000 ft.

The delay has been because the sanction for installing the tubewells was taken at the fag end of the previous financial year which ended on March 31.

The tubewells would have been operational by April — May, well before the onset of summers, as per the original schedule. As many as five tubewells, at the cost of Rs 17 lakh each, had been earmarked for Palsora, Sector 31 Labour Colony, opposite Labour Colony Number 5 in Sectors 44 and 45 and Nehru Colony.

Work on two tubewells is going on near Hallo Majra village, the Sukhna choe in Makhan Majra village, Dhanas village, Dadu Majra village, the Golf Club, Sector 26 (Bapu Dham and Labour Colony), and the Sector 25 (in the sector and the Kumhar colony).

Other areas which would get one tubewell each are Daria village, Sector 23 (near the bridge), Sector 42 (sports complex), Sector 12 (Panjab Engineering College) Sector 24 and Sector 29 (mango belt).

One dead, 16 hurt as tourist bus overturns
From Our Correspondent

KHARAR, June 12 — One person was killed while 16 others were injured when a tourist bus overturned this morning near Ballo Majra village on the Kharar-Mohali road. The mishap occurred at around 2.30 a.m.

According to Mr Bhag Singh, ASI in charge, Balaungi Chawki an unidentified person is early thirties was crushed to death by the tourist bus DLI-PA-0739, which was going from Delhi to Jammu. The driver later lost control of the bus and it overturned. He said as a result, about 16 persons got injuries.

The police has registered a case under Section 304 A, 279, IPC, against the driver of the bus who is absconding.

Meanwhile, Dr Sukhwant Singh Dhanoa, SMO, Civil Hospital Kharar, told this reporter that in all 17 persons were brought to the hospital. Out of them, one had died. Four persons who were seriously injured were admitted to the hospital, while one person had been referred to the PGI, Chandigarh.

The three persons admitted to the hospital are Mr Vidal Ahmed, Mr Ranif Khan and Ms Sakeera Begum — all from Kashmir.

Police first-aid post set up
From Our Correspondent

LALRU, June 12 — A “police assistance and first-aid post” to provide immediate medical attention to victims of road accidents on the Chandigarh-Delhi national highway was inaugurated by the Inspector-General of Punjab Police, Mr R.S. Gill, at Dappar village, here today.

The post is the first of its kind to be deployed on the national highway. It has been equipped with basic medicines for first-aid, an ambulance and a wireless system. It will cover a stretch of nearly 33 km from Jharmari to Zirakpur on the national highway and manned by two constables round-the-clock.

Mr Gill said besides Bhawanigarh, Sirhind and Barnala, the Punjab Police was already running two such first-aid police posts — one in Patiala and another in Rajpura in the district. Six more such posts would be started in Moga, Bathinda, Malaut, Kot Kapura, Gobindgarh and Banur soon, he added.

Mr Gill said the department would provide a tractor so that it could be used to clear road in case of stranded vehicles involved in accidents, as this stretch was most accident-prone. “After repeated requests to the state government, the police department had not been provided a crane for this purpose and the condition of the vehicles with the department is deplorable,” he lamented.

The IGP said the department would hold a seven-day camp to educate villagers and schoolchildren about traffic rules. Sodium and mercury vapour lamps would be installed along the road divider in Dera Bassi town soon.

Mr Gill appreciated the Dera Bassi Industrial Association for donating a van which will serve the purpose of an ambulance and the village panchayat for giving about 1.5 bigha land for the construction of the post.

The state government had raised the issue of four-laning the road with the Centre, said, Mr S.S. Sidhu, SDM, Dera Bassi, while addressing the gathering. He said to meet the traffic hazard near the Bhankarpur railway-crossing, the proposal of a fly-over would be reviewed as the case was pending in court.

Daler denies threat from Abu Salem
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, June 12 — Popular Punjabi pop singer, Daler Mehndi, has denied that he allegedly received any threat calls from Dubai-based Abu Salem, who is said to be the right-hand man of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim.

The singer was denying statements that have appeared in the media claiming that Abu Salem had called up Daler seeking money. In a statement faxed to The Tribune today, the singer's office, DM Entertainment, said Daler Mehndi had denied rumours pertaining to the threat of Dawood or his men as reported in various newspapers and publications.

The statement said the singer has appealed to the media not to fall prey to a campaign based on rumours which is aimed at creating a fear psychosis in the minds of the public in today's fragile situation.

Heavy rain in city
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, June 12 — Strong winds in excess of 65 km per hour, accompanied by heavy rain lashed the city in the wee hours today. The powerful winds led to power breakdowns at several places in the city, while roads were rendered slippery in the morning due to silt that had shifted from road berms on to the roads.

The rain brought down the maximum day time temperature to 33.2°C, 7 degrees below normal. The day time temperature yesterday had been 39.6°C.

On the other hand, the power breakdowns led to shortage of water as its supply in large parts of the city is based on tubewells that run on power. Large parts of the city remained without power supply or had to do with partial power supply till the time the faults in the distribution system could be rectified. The water pressure was low.

Several minor accidents reportedly took place on roads as two-wheelers skidded on the slippery roads. The winds that started around 1.35 a.m. were followed by rain — a total of 4 cm of rain was recorded till 8 a.m.

According to sources in the Meteorological Department, the rain occurred due to the confluence of north westerly winds, resulting from an upper air cyclonic circulation over North West Rajasthan and the strong easterly winds resulting from a “depression” over eastern Uttar Pradesh.

SNIPPETS

300 donate blood in Sector 40
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, June 12 — The Sikh Nari Manch today organised a blood donation camp in collaboration with the UT Red Cross Society at the Sector 40-B gurdwara here. Nearly 300 persons, including women, donated blood at the camp which was inaugurated by Bhai Jasbir Singh Khalsa. The camp, according to Mrs Tripat kaur, spokesperson of the manch, was organised as a salute to martyrs of the nation.

Mrs Harjinder Kaur, a councillor and President of the manch, said that a permanent panel of 200 women blood donors of different age and blood groups has been prepared for donating blood to meet emergencies.

The manch has also proposed to set up a permanent welfare centre at the Sector 32 Government Medical College Hospital for the benefit of poor and needy patients.

Meanwhile, the local unit of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) has urged the Chandigarh Administration to declare a holiday on the martyrdom day of Guru Arjun Dev on June 16.

The SAD has said that the martyrdom day is a public holiday in the Union Capital. Mr N.S. Minhas, a spokesman of the SAD, said that keeping in view traditions and respect for Sikh gurus and their philosophy, June 16 should be declared a public holiday under the Negotiable Instruments Act so that all could pay tributes to the fifth guru for his supreme sacrifice.

The SAD leaders also visited Chandi Mandir Command Hospital and offered to donate blood and extend all possible help for the treatment of soldiers wounded in the ongoing military operations in the Kargil sector.

Meanwhile, Mr N.S. Minhas and Mr Harcharan Singh have been nominated official spokesmen of the unit here.

Error in merit list: Principal
From Our Correspondent

SAS NAGAR , June 12 — Mr B. S. Shergill, Principal of the local Paragon School, has alleged that Gurvir Kaur, a student of his school, who had secured 565 marks out of 650 in the matriculation examination, had been erroneously shown as a student of DAV School, Ropar, in the merit list issued by the Punjab School Education Board here yesterday.

In a statement issued here, Mr Shergill said the ‘mistake ‘ on part of the board authorities had upset the student, her parents as well as the management of the school.

Meanwhile, Gurvir was unhappy with the board authorities but was satisfied with her performance. She is the third girl from SAS Nagar to get a position in the merit list.

Ban on donations demanded
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, June 12 — The All-India Ex-Servicemen Welfare Association has, in a representation to the President, demanded a ban on the collection of donations from members of the public by various organisations, agencies, political parties and sainik welfare departments for helping the soldiers disabled or the families of those killed in Dras-Kargil.

Mr Bhim Sen Sehgal, chairman of the association, said it was the responsibility of the government to provide such persons with assistance and not allow the dependants to rely on doles collected by some political party or anti-social elements who were exploiting the situation every time.

The association demanded that the government come out with a national policy for the resettlement and rehabilitation of those killed or disabled in the ongoing operations and make it a constitutional obligation.

The families of those who laid down their lives in the wars in 1962, 1965 and 1971 had remained neglected. When the wars were over, the heroes were forgotten and their families had to face the corruption prevalent in the system, he alleged.

Holiday on June 17
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, June 12 — The Panjab University has declared a holiday on June 17, instead of June 16, on account of the martyrdom day of Guru Arjan Dev Ji.

According to Mr S.K. Sharma, Deputy Registrar (General), the holiday will be within the meaning of Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881. However, university exams and entrance tests notified earlier for this day would be held as scheduled.

Tohra flays Badal govt
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, June 12 — Commenting with regard to the programme announced to lay the foundation stone of a railway station at SAS Nagar, the president All-India Shiromani Akali Dal, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, said here today that the Badal government was playing a joke on people of Punjab.

He said when no land had been acquired for laying a rail line between Chandigarh and Ludhiana there was no logic behind laying the foundation stone of the railway station.

He said the ministers in the Badal government had laid several foundation stones during the past months but no project had come up after stone laying exercise.

155 students awarded
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, June 12 — The annual prize distribution and farewell function of the Dev Samaj College of Education, Sector 36-B, was held here today. As many as 155 students were awarded prizes for excelling in the field of academics, fine arts, home science, cultural activities and sports.

Mrs Satinder Dhawan, councillor, chief guest, gave away the prizes to the students. She and Mrs Satinder Dhillon, Principal of the college, addressed the students on the occasion.

Indu, Sangeeta and Seema Bisht were adjudged the best all round student, the best athlete and the best player, respectively. Navneet was awarded the prize for being the outstanding sportsperson. They were also awarded the college colours.

In academics, Livleen was declared the best student, while Sameera and Preetraman were adjudged second and third, respectively.

The overall topper in the M.Ed course was Surbhi, followed by Sonia. Seema Bawa was adjudged the most cooperative student.

A group song was presented by children of Mother Teresa Charitable Home on the occasion. The children were trained by Dr Jyoti Khanna, a lecturer of the college.