Miscreants break into village house
Owners beaten up, robbed
From Bipin Bhardwaj
From Our Correspondent

ZIRAKPUR, Nov 6 — A gang of six miscreants broke into the house of a Kashmiri migrant family at MS Enclave in Dhakauli village, near here, on Friday night, beat up the residents and robbed them of cash and valuables.

Three of the four injured persons, Mr Badri Nath Dhar (67), his wife Mrs Sham Rani (65) and son Mr Arvind Dhar (40), were taken to the Government Medical College and Hospital in Chandigarh with serious head injuries. They were later referred to the PGI.

According to Mrs Urmila Dhar, wife of Mr Arvind Dhar, about six robbers armed with batons, broke into the house at about 2.30 am from the main gate. As Mr Badri Nath woke up and raised an alarm, they hit him on his head. Mrs Sham Rani was hit while she was asleep. Hearing her cries, other members of the gang took positions before the doors in the house.

She said, “Two of them came into our bedroom and told us to remain quiet or face the consequences. As I switched on the light, they hit my husband on his head and ordered me to hand the jewellery I was wearing and also the keys of the almirah. I removed the ornaments and handed over the keys to them. The robber collected the jewellery including rings, chains, ear-rings and cash worth Rs 40,000.

“Some of the miscreants were wearing dhotis and vests and had covered their faces with cloth with only their eyes visible. They were about 18 to 20-year-old and spoke Hindi”.

“Two of the robbers kept a guard on us while the others went into the other bedroom where my sister-in-law, Mrs Nirmala and her husband Mr ML Mir, who had come from Jammu were sleeping”.

“As I heard the cries and noise, I went to the door. Two persons forcibly entered the room and hit me on my head. They also warned me not to raise an alarm as the house had been surrounded by their men. They then removed my wife’s ornaments and asked me to hand over my wrist watch to them. After collecting the jewellery and cash, the miscreants fled. The whole operation took about one hour, “said Mr Mir.

It was then that Mr Mir, leaving the unconscious and the injured in the house, ran out and raised an alarm. The neighbours came out and the police was informed. The injured were then taken to hospital.

The family had migrated from Kashmir in 1990 and had constructed a house here about one and a half years ago.

A team of forensic experts was called in and the police recorded the statements of Mrs Urmila. Blood-smeared clothes were lying in the house.

The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mr H S Bhullar, said the Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali police had been alerted. He said the robbers could be labourers belonging to Uttar Pradesh, Haryana or Bihar. He urged the residents of the surrounding areas to organise regular thikari pehra.

This is second such incident in this particular village in two months and comes close on the heels of a robbery in a Sector-6 house in Panchkula on Wednesday.

Verification on war-footing
Police steps to tackle crime
Tribune News Service

PANCHKULA, Nov 6 — Verification of migrant labour and servants will be undertaken on a war-footing and police personnel on duty will be required to sign a register on arrival in order to fix responsibility in case some untoward incident or crime takes place, the Haryana DGP, Mr S.P.S. Rathore, said while informing that he wanted a crime-free city where any suspicious elements would be rounded up by the police for questioning.

He admitted that the facilities with the police force in the city left a lot to be desired. Stating that there were very few men in the force, the personnel were overworked. He said that the matter would be taken up with the government soon. The police control room vans would also be set in order and patrolling would be carried out as quietly as possible so as not to alert miscreants. Also, the need for a greater number of vans would be put up before the government.

In view of the rising crime in the city, Mr Rathore said a dog squad would be made available as soon as possible in the city. At present, the dog squad is summoned from Ambala whenever an incident takes place. He, however, stated that the dog squad required special trainers and huge expenses on the maintenance of the dogs.

Informing of revamping the police stations and police posts, the DGP informed that efforts to computerise the police control room were on and that all complaints would be registered with them. He said that within six months these would undergo a sea change.

Later, while warning the police personnel, Mr Rathore said that strict action would be taken against anybody who failed to register a complaint at the police station. He added that the `khula darbar' and the `mullaqat' organised at the police headquarters in Sector 6 were an effort towards bringing the police and the public closer.

"The public must also come forward and share our responsibility by informing the police of any miscreants or suspects in the area. Further, a few houses should get together and appoint chowkidars which they must register with the police. This will go a long way in making the city safe and free of crime,'' Mr Rathore stated.

‘Circumstances drove us to crime’
Tribune News Service

PANCHKULA, Nov 6 — "Circumstances and society drove us to commit first robbery and after one successful attempt, we became bold enough to commit another robbery since we saw it as a source of easy money,'' said Shambu Kumar, one of the accused in the theft in Sector 6, at the Sector 5 police station here.

Another one, Suresh Kumar, who was previously employed at the residence of Chopras in Sector 6, the scene of the last crime committed by the four, laments,"I did not come to town with a view to get entrapped and involved in incidents like these but when you are pushed to a corner you have very little option,'' he said while giving his fingerprints.

Relating his tale of woe, Suresh Kumar, says,"My mother was very ill and I asked the master to give me my money which was overdue. I had received nothing for over an year and was in dire need of money for her treatment and care. However, the family did not bother and instead lodged a complaint with the police against me following which I was given a sound thrashing.''

He adds that later, he too, went to the police to register a complaint against the houseowners, stating that he had not received his pay packet. The police official, on his part, dilly-dallied and disposed of the matter without registering complaint."This desire to get even for the injustice meted out to me which finally resulted in my mother's death, drove me to join the trio and we planned to decamp with cash and jewellery as part of my revenge,'' he explains.

However, the bid proved unsuccessful and the four managed to get only a diamond ring before they were forced to flee. All four were arrested within 12 hours of the incident and jewellery over Rs 4 lakh was recovered. Raiding parties have also been sent in different directions and the process of recovery is still on. The four also admitted to have committed the theft in the house of Goyals on the night of September 16 and that of Vermas on August 27 in Sector 8.

Manilal, aged 17, is full of remorse for his involvement. He says,"I just got into wrong company and they prodded me into participating. Also, I was given the incentive that with the money we get from carrying out robberies would be equally divided amongst us and soon we would be in a position to open up some small business. After this, we had decided, we would put our past behind and begin life anew.''

The mastermind in the gameplan, Manoj Kumar, claims,"I committed the thefts. I planned all these.'' He adds that he has no regrets about being caught and admits that while carrying out his operations in the night he knew all along that the police would manage to lay hands on him and that this did not deter him. The other three accused also admit that he was the ring leader and that he decided the plan of action.

The Director-General of Police, Mr SPS Rathore, who met the four involved in the three robberies separately, swung into action after a talk with them. The first "casualty'' was the erring ASI, Balwant Rai, who was suspended for not registering Suresh Kumar's complaint."Had he registered a complaint then, today we would not have seen a domestic help change to a criminal. Anyway, the four have committed a crime and will pay for it, whatever the reasons. Further, I have also asked the police personnel to verify Suresh Kumar's statements,'' he stated.

The officers and personnel who carried out the hunt to nab the criminals were rewarded. These include SHO, Sector 5, Mr Fateh Singh, ASI Gorakh Pal, and Inspector CIA, among others. The operation was spearheaded by Mr Amitabh Singh Dhillon, ASP.

Lawyers’ plea to President
By Prabhjot Singh
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 6 — Lawyers for Human Rights, an organisation whch has been raising its voice against police excesses, has in a petition to the President of India opposed posting of any IPS officer of the Punjab cadre to head the Chandigarh office of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The organisation maintains that in its pursuit to uphold the Rule of Law and to bring perpetrators of human rights violations to book, it has “lost” five of its eminent members whose whereabouts are still not known after considerable length of time. And in two of these five “missing lawyers cases”, the apex court has entrusted investigations and inquiries to the CBI and certain IPS officers of the Punjab cadre were facing trial at Patiala’s designated court in both these cases.

The Lawyers for Human Rights, according to its Secretary, Mr Navkiran Singh, has taken up cudgels on behalf of all five “missing lawyers” — Mr Kulwant Singh advocate along with his wife and three-year-old child from Ropar; Mr Jagwinder Singh from Kapurthala; Mr Ranbir Singh Mansahia from Bathinda; Mr Sukhwinder Singh Bhatti from Sangrur and Mr Satnam Singh from Jammu.

Of these, cases of Mr Kulwant Singh and his family and of Mr Jagwinder Singh had been before the Supreme Court.

The Lawyers for Human Rights say that the Chandigarh office of the CBI has jurisdiction over Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Chandigarh. The Chandigarh office has two branches — special investigation unit -XV and anti-corruption branch. Both these branches are headed by an IPS officer of the rank of Deputy Inspector-General of Police.

Meanwhile, Mr Suresh Arora, an IPS officer of the Punjab cadre, is tipped to head the Chandigarh office of the CBI.

Mr Navkiran Singh says that there are at least 50 cases pending before the special investigation unit-XV of the CBI where Punjab police officers, including batch mates of Mr Suresh Arora, are facing investigations and serious criminal charges.

The Lawyers for Human Rights maintain that posting of an IPS officer of the Punjab cadre was a calculated move to bail out all Punjab police officers facing criminal charges and investigation. The organisation maintains that the CBI still enjoys high credibility in general public as it is considered premier investigative agency.

“The situation demands that in order to uphold the rule of law and to continue with the process of the investigation and trial in scores of cases pending against Punjab police officials, the Union Government should be restrained from posting any IPS officer of the Punjab cadre as DIG, CBI, Chandigarh,” the petition to the President by the Lawyers for Human Rights said.

The last time a Punjab officer headed the Chandigarh office of the CBI was when Mr P. Lal, presently Additional Director-General of Police, remained posted for some years in late 80s.

Jaspal Bhatti's plea to CBI
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 6 — Noted satirist Jaspal Bhatti has sought the help of the Central Bureau of Investigation for immediate steps the help the cyclone victims of Orissa.

In a fax message sent to the Director of the CBI, Mr Jaspal Bhatti wants the CBI to conduct raids at the houses of all Ministers and senior government officials holding important positions and confiscate the expensive Divali gifts they have got.

Mr Bhatti also wants the CBI to conduct an auction of the gifts so confiscated and send all returns to the Cyclone Relief Fund.

Mr Bhatti has also suggested to the CBI to introduce a voluntary disclosure scheme under which government servants can disclose the expensive gifts received by them during Divali. As an incentive, the government employees should be allowed to retain 30 per cent of the gifts, Mr Bhatti said in his message.

New water scheme for city
By Ajay Banerjee
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 6 — A project to bring more water to Chandigarh and SAS Nagar through a natural gradient from Ganguwal in Ropar district has finally been agreed.

The Government of India has told the Chandigarh Administration that it will allow no more augmentation of the present system of pumping water against gravity from Kajauli, located at a distance of 28 km. This, according to the them, will only increase the maintenance and operating costs of pumping water against gravity. The cost, at present, stands at Rs 11 crore annually.

However, the Centre has allowed a go-ahead on the already approved augmentation of 20 million gallons a day (MGD) from the Kajauli water works.But the Chandigarh Administration’s proposal to augment the Kajauli system by 40 MGD of water instead of 20 MGD has been shot down. Even this 20 MGD will mean more annual maintenance costs that will anyway rise whenever power tariffs are revised.

The Central Public Health Environmental and Engineering Organisation (CPHEEO) has asked the Administration that further augmentation can be carried out only by bringing water through a special conduit along the natural gradient from Ganguwal.The Superintending Engineer of Municipal Corporation, Mr Manmohanjit Singh, had prepared a proposal for bringing water along the natural gradient.

The project,costing around Rs 200 crore, will be a one-time investment as no pumping will be required.It will take 3 years to complete. According to sources, a computer-simulated study of the project will be carried out. The project had been sent to the PEC for study some five months ago but had been lying in cold storage.

Now the CPHEEO has given a go-ahead to the project and the fund for the study part of the project have been allocated. The computer-simulated study will give hydrologists a chance to explore the several possibilities that would have been limited in a traditional way to start with a working model. That would have required pumping of water by actually building small models of the sub-mountainous terrain lying between Ganguwal and SAS Nagar.

Computer will eliminate this and also suggest several possibilities, including calculation of loss of pressure on each bend in the conduit. It will also suggest what kind of material needs to be used in the conduit so that it can withstand water pressure. Most likely the scheme will have the provision of supplying 40 MGD of water, thus saving on pumping costs.

Railway station road link soon
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 6 — Work is in full swing to complete the construction of the second entry to the railway station from the Panchkula side. The work is scheduled to be finished by the end of November. This could be achieved at the present pace of work, railway officials said.

The main job of road laying is complete. A bridge across a seasonal rivulet has been built and the civil works in the entrance building are also complete.

The new road, from the backside of the newly-constructed Platform Number 3 at the railway station, will connect the station with Panchkula. It will meet the road dividing Sectors 17 and 18 of the township. Railway sources said this was expected to reduce the rush at the present single entry as commuters living in Panchkula or Chandi Mandir would prefer to use the second entry because the route would be shorter by almost 2 to 2.5 kilometres.

Meanwhile, another reservation counter will be set up in a new building which is being constructed at the second entrance point. This will be for persons coming in from the Panchkula side. A road connection between the township and the station had been long pending to come up.

Besides this, the Railways will be adding another facility for residents of Panchkula. The Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) has offered the Railways a place in the Sector 8 market of Panchkula to set up a railway reservation counter. The place will be on lease and a final agreement between the two parties has been signed. The Railways will soon take possession of the place.

The Railways begin the work on the counter soon which has also been sanctioned by the ministry. After the Panchkula project, the Punjab authorities have sought a similar reservation counter in SAS Nagar. The Railways authorities are also known to be keen on it as it will reduce the rush at the main booking counter at the Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) in Sector 17 of Chandigarh.

Sale of prohibited crackers continues
From Our Correspondent

PANCHKULA, Nov 6 — The prohibitory orders and guidelines by the Administration to ensure adequate safety on Divali do not seem to bother the vendors here licensed to sell crackers .

The Deputy Commissioner, Mr S K Monga, has prohibited the use, sale and storage of dangerous crackers like “havai”, “day-out”, “night-out” and rockets which explode at height of 4-5 m. Almost all licensed stalls in the town have abundant stocks of such crackers.

One of the licensee in Sector 14 said it was not possible for them to do away with these crackers as they constituted a major part of sales on Divali. A shopper buying crackers at one of these stalls said there would hardly be any charm left in Divali if such crackers were to be kept out.

There are no arrangements for fire precautions at these stalls to meet any exigency. The order of the Deputy Commissioner says that every licensed stall should have a fire extinguisher of at least 10 kg capacity, a portable water bucket and a sufficient number of sand bags. Most of these stalls are without any such safety measures.

The guidelines also prohibit the storage, sale and use of any inflammable article, including match boxes, inside or near the stalls. Colour match boxes are sold as accessory crackers at most of the stalls. Even the wholesale traders in the town have abundant stock of banned crackers and the shops lack fire safety arrangements.

Milap Divas celebrated
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 6 —"Bhai Chara Milap Divas" (communal brotherhood day) was celebrated in Government High School, Sector 40, here today on the eve of Divali.

Students from different religious communities exchanged Divali gifts. Students and teachers interacted with each other to promote national integration. The students promised that they would participate in the religious functions of all religions to promote unity.

Mr Bahadur Singh, headmaster, stressed the need to promote national integration and respect for all communities.He urged the students to prevent conflicts on "religious issues".

A colourful cultural programme, including dances and songs, were well appreciated apart from a fancy dress presentation. Mr Sham Lal, President of the Parent Teacher Association, was also present on the occasion.

Police band plays at Sector 17 Plaza
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 6 — It was a pleasant surprise for visitors, mostly divali revellers, to enjoy the return of the UT Police band this evening at the Sector 17 Plaza after a long time.

The piped band, headed by Rachpal Singh, in charge of the piped band of the UT Police, recreated the old magic by playing tunes of popular folk and filmi Hindi, Punjabi and Himachali songs like 'Aane Se Jiske Aaye Bahar, Jaane Se Jiske Jaaye Bahar,' 'Chehra Tera', 'Tum Agar Saath Dene Ka Vada Karo,' 'Long Gwaacha' and 'Bhala Sipahia Dogria', a folk song having immense popularity in Himachal countryside.

Children and adults enjoyed the playing of the band for over two hours and requested the performers to repeat the tunes of their choice, and most of such requests were conceded by the band without any delay.

The performance of the band at the Sukhna Lake and the Sector 17 Plaza on weekends has been revived by the UT Police authorities after a long period as a divali gift to city residents.

Ban on crackers flouted
Tribune News Service

SAS NAGAR, Nov 6 — The guidelines of the Union Ministry of Environment regarding the ban on joined crackers (laris) on the eve of Divali are being flouted with impunity in the town. A number of stalls selling fire crackers, including banned item like rockets and bombs, have mushroomed in different sector markets.

Caring little about the ministry's guidelines to restrict the sale of certain types of fire crackers, the shopkeepers are openly displaying them. A packet of lari bomb was being sold for Rs 10. Other crackers like 'atom bomb', 'ganga yamuna' and 'bullet bomb' could be seen displayed at stalls throughout the town.

On being asked whether he had knowledge about the ban on certain fire crackers, a stall owners in Phase 3B 2 market remarked:" Who bothers for the ban. Money is enough to keep the officials away". The only measure being observed by sellers of fire crackers is that they have set up their stalls in open areas in front of the markets.

However, other stalls selling eatables and other consumer durables have come up in corridors and parking lots of sector markets.

Meanwhile, to keep a watch on anti-social elements, an additional 50 Punjab Police commandos have been deputed. The Superintendent of Police, Mr B.S.Randhawa, said at least two policemen had been deputed in each market. Besides, 20 motorcycle borne policemen had been deployed in the town.

Goods worth lakhs gutted in godown
From Our Correspondent

ZIRAKPUR, Nov 6 — Consumer durables worth lakhs of rupees were destroyed in a fire which broke out in a godown in Bhabhat village 2 km from here, this morning.

The fire which broke out early in the morning in a godown of Whirlpool appliances, was noticed at about 11:30 a m. Nearly 1,200 goods, including washing machines, refrigerators and other appliances were gutted.

As many as nine fire tenders from SAS Nagar, Chandigarh, Dera Bassi and Panchkula were pressed into service. Two fire tenders from Air Force station were also called to control the fire. Firemen took more than four hours to control the flames.

They had to break the walIs of the godown at two places with the help of a JVC machine. The firemen had a tough time for more than four hours as plastic goods stored there had caught fire. The exact cause of the fire and the loss could not be ascertained.

The area has about 1,000 unplanned godowns which hardly have any fire fighting measures. Moreover, approach roads to these godowns are narrow and unmetalled, which further adds to inconvenience.

Meanwhile, residents of the area alleged that the indifferent attitude of the authorities towards the unauthorised constructions in the area has posed a serious threat as they had been constructed without any provision of fire safety and other necessary measures.

Goods damaged in godown fire
From Our Correspondent

KHARAR, Nov 6 — Karyana goods worth about Rs 2 lakh were destroyed in a fire that broke out in a godown of a famous karyana trader in the Main Bazar, Kharar, on Thursday night.

Mr Surinder Kumar, a partner of the firm, in a complaint to the police, said that they came to know about the fire on Friday morning.

He said that short-circuit was the reason of the fire.

Doctor denied bail
Tribune News Service

PANCHKULA, Nov 6 — Pawan Kumar, a private doctor in Kakrali village, arrested by the police for allegedly raping a 25-year-old woman, was denied bail and granted 14 days' judicial remand after he was produced in the district courts here today.

In the complaint registered by the police, it was stated that the doctor came to the house of the victim, a labourer's wife, on the pretext of examining her son, who was ill, after refusing to attend to her at his clinic. At her residence, he allegedly raped her before being caught and given a thrashing by the relatives of the woman. Later, he was handed over to the police and a case under Section 376 of the IPC registered.

Councillor complains of poor roads
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 6 — A municipal councillor, Ms Sunita, has alleged that the roads in Bapu Dham Colony have not been recarpeted for the past several years.

In a representation to the Adviser to the Administrator, Ms Vineeta Rai, she alleged that since the setting up of the colony in 1980 the Phases I and II had not been recarpeted. Potholes have made the roads risky for driving and conditions worsen during the rainy season.

Over two and a half years back the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (MCC) had dumped the road building materials worth lakhs of rupees along the roadside. The work started about two years back in Phase I, but it only progressed at a snail’s pace reportedly due to lack of manpower, she complained.

Despite the assurances of the Adviser and the Mayor, Mr Kewal Krishan Addiwal, after a visit to the colony on August 17, that the work would be speeded up, nothing seemed to have been done. And even after assurance in the House that the recarpeting would be completed by June, less than half of the roads had been relaid and that too in Phase I only.

She alleged that the work executed in Phase I had not been up to mark. The gravels had come off at several places leading to potholes on the recarpeted roads. To top it all, the construction was suspended after two months.

Besides this, there is no provision of drainage of rainy water in the colony putting the residents to a lot of inconvenience, particularly during the rainy season.

In spite of repeated representations to the officials concerned nothing concrete had been done so far

She warned that if the problems of the colony were not taken care of within a month, an agitation would be launched.

Mayor's orders disregarded
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 6 — It seems that the officers of the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (MCC) care two hoots for the directions of the Mayor, Mr Kewal Krishan Addiwal, if the non-submission of the status report on the ongoing and completed projects is any indication.

It may be recalled that Mr Addiwal, while presiding over a meeting of the officers of the MCC on October 21, had directed different departments to submit the status report to him within a week. But even after over two weeks the reports are yet to reach the Mayor's office, according to sources.

The calling for of the status report at the meeting, perhaps the first to be called by any Mayor, was touted as reflecting the development of the different wards — both belonging to the ruling and the opposition groups. After receiving the reports, the Mayor, whose term expires on December 23 and who had not held any formal press conference so far, wanted to hold a press briefing, the sources informed.

National convention from November 12
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 6 — The Department of Paediatrics of the PGI will organise the 33rd national convention of the Indian College of Allergy and Applied Immunology from November 12 to 14, Dr Lata Kumar, Professor and Head of the department, announced here yesterday.

According to Dr Kumar, Prof G.P. Talwar, Professor of Eminence, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, will formally inaugurate the conference on November 12 at Bhargava Auditorium. All other sessions of the conference will be organised at the Advanced Paediatrics Centre of the Institute, Dr Kumar added.

Shooting of comedy serial in city
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 6 — A comedy serial,"The Hawks Show 80-90 Poore 100", is being shot in the city these days.

Being directed by Sekhon Singh, who was assistant director to renowned Bollywood director Govind Nihlani in the much-acclaimed tele-serial "Tamas", the serial features Punjabi comedian Bhagwant Mann in the lead role. Mann has also written script for the serial.

The other cast of the serial, which had been produced by Laljit Gill and Sekhon Singh, include Baljit Zakhmi, Gick Grewal, Jagtar Jaggi, Kuldip Handa, Jonita, Rimpy, Baljit Bala, Vinod Sharma and Anil Tejpal.

Riar's group "recognised"
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 6 — "We are the official and recognised Chandigarh unit of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal)," claims Mr Mohinder Singh, a former Deputy Mayor and Councillor of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation, maintaining that the Dal chief, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, recognises his group headed by Mr Gurpartap Singh Riar.

In a signed statement, Mr Mohinder Singh said that a deputation of the local SAD leaders and workers comprising Ms Amarjit Kaur Bhullar (President, Istri Akali Dal), Mr Kher Singh (President, Mani Majra circle), Mr Mohan Singh Raipur (President, youth wing) and Mr Jagir Singh (President, Mata Raj Kaur Gurdwara Management Committee), met Mr Parkash Singh Badal at his residence today and apprised him about the problems created by certain "vested interests claiming themselves to be office-bearers of the local unit of the Dal".

Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Mr Mohinder Singh said, told the deputation that Shiromani Akali Dal was a democratic body and whosoever was democratically elected President of unit, the Central leadership would recognise that. And since Mr Gurpartap Singh Riar was democratically elected President of the Dal, the party high command recognises him.

Meanwhile, the other faction of the Dal headed by Mr Gurcharan Singh Pallia welcomed Pope John Paul and requested him to visit Chandigarh.

Territorial Army holds function
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 6 — The Territorial Army Group Headquarters, Western Command, celebrated the golden jubilee of the Territorial Army (TA) here today. To mark the occasion, a social get-together was organised at the officers’ mess of the Railway Engineer Regiment here. A large number of serving and retired TA officers attended the function.

The General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command, Lt-Gen Vijay Oberoi, who was the chief guest on the occasion, felicitated all ranks of the Territorial Army. Greeting all ranks of the force, Commander, TA Group Headquarters, Western Command, Brig Khushwant Singh, appreciated the performance of the TA units in the Western Sector.

A part-time volunteer force which supplements the regular Army during an emergency, the ‘’terriers’’, or as TA personnel are referred to as, are also engaged in providing assistance in cyclone-hit areas of Orissa.

In recognition of its distinguished services during the past 50 years, the Territorial Army has been honoured with one Padmashri, 5 Vir Chakras, 12 Sena Medals, 2 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, 15 Vishisht Seva Medals, 43 Chief of the Army Staff’s Commendation Cards, 25 Mention-in-Despatches and 32 GoC-in-C Commendation Cards.

SNIPPETS

Students to be honoured
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 6 — The local unit of the Jangid Brahman Sabha will organise Vishvakarma Day celebrations on November 8 at the Sector 23 Bal Bhavan where the sabha would honour all those students who have been securing 80 per cent or more marks in all annual examinations from Class I to plus 2 class. The sabha would also honour students of the samaj who have excelled in cultural and other extra-curricular activities. A hawan would be held. Discourse on the life and teachings of Lord Vishvakarma would also be organised. Some eminent Jagid Brahmans would be honoured on the occasion.

Nagar kirtan
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 6 — A meeting of the Nagar Kirtan Tal Mel Committee held at the Sector 34 gurdwara here yesterday under the chairmanship of Maj N.S. Rangi (retd) has decided that a nagar kirtan procession would be taken out on November 20 to mark the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev ji. The procession will start at 1.30 p.m. from the Sector 19 gurdwara and move through Sectors 19,27, 28, 29, 30, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 before terminating at the Sector 15 gurdwara at about 7.30 p.m.

Essay contest on Nov 23
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 6 — The Chandigarh Jat Sabha will organise Bhai Surinder Singh Malik Memorial All-India on-the-spot essay writing and poster-making competitions on its premises in Sector 27-A here on November 23.

The topic of the poster-making competition this time is ''Increasing Indian population — its impact on society'' and the topic for the essay-writing competition will be announced immediately before the start of the competition.

The poster-making contest will be in three categories for school students: group I — classes III to V, group II — classes VI to VIII and group III — classes IX to XII.

The essay-writing competition will be for college and university students. The best essay will get a prize of gold medal and cash award of Rs 2,100, while the second and third prizes carry silver and bronze medals and cash awards of Rs 1,100 and Rs 700, respectively. There will be two consolation prizes of Rs 400 and Rs 300.

Similarly, winners of poster-making competition will get cash prizes of Rs 400, 300 and 200 with two consolation prizes of Rs 100 each.

Gurminder wins contest
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 6 — Gurminder Kaur from Gem Public School, SAS Nagar, won an on-the-spot painting contest organised by Guru Nanak Khalsa Senior Secondary School, Sector 30, here today.

Anshul Sharma from Mount Carmel School, Sector 46, and Nidhi Verma from Government Senior Secondary School, Sector 35, were second and third respectively, in the A- category of the contest.

In B-category Sonika from GMSSS, Sector 16, won the first prize. The second and third places went to Jawala Parsha from the host school and Paritosh Verma from GMSSS, Sector 35, respectively.

Bikramjit Singh from St Soldier International School, Sector 28, won the first prize in the C-category of the contest. Tejwar Singh and Varinder Kumar, both from GMSSS, Sector 27, were adjudged second and third, respectively.

As many as 149 students from 28 schools participated in the event. The competition was dedicated to the tercentenary celebrations of the birth of the Khalsa under the guidance of Dr Lal Singh Dhaliwal, Principal of the school.