Vehicular traffic disrupted for 10 hours
From Bipin Bhardwaj
From Our Correspondent

DERA BASSI, Sept 27 — Vehicular traffic on the busy Chandigarh-Ambala national highway was disrupted for more than 10 hours today as the railway crossing at Bhankharpur, near Dera Bassi, was closed due to a reported unannounced repair of the railway track by the railway authorities.

Railway sources said the repair of the track had to be urgently undertaken on the Ambala -Chandigarh section. Meanwhile, vehicular traffic from Chandigarh, headed for Ambala or Delhi, was diverted from the national highway at Bhankharpur via Mubarikpur towards Dera Bassi to rejoin the highway.

Those coming from Ambala to Chandigarh were diverted from Dera Bassi via Issapur village, 2 km from here, to rejoin at Bhankharpur. Drivers using this road had to pass through a causeway on seasonal rivulet that was flooded in ankle-deep water. Heavy vehicles like trucks, buses and loaded tractor trolleys, blocked these narrow roads at various points which resulted in inconvenience to the travellers. Small width of the road could not handle the volume of traffic.

All trains between Ambala and Chandigarh were directed to maintain a speed of 30 km per hour. A total of 13 m of track that was right on the road crossing was changed, a source in the railways added. As many as 45 employees of the railways were put to work. Vehicular traffic across the railway crossing was restored by 8.00 pm. However, during the day two-wheeler riders had been crossing over the railway line from the sides of track where the maintenance work was going on.

According to eyewitnesses, the road was closed at 7.00 am for the maintenance of the railway track and the police personal deployed directed the road users to opt for alternative routes.

A resident of Mubarikpur, Mr Ram Kumar, said traffic queues remained for hours as the narrow railway crossing at Mubarikpur. village was a hurdle in the free movement of traffic. vehicles coming from one side of it had to wait for the others from the opposite side to pass. With no traffic policeman to direct the traffic, there was utter chaos.

For residents of Mubarikpur, problem was created by dust. Clouds of dust raised by the wheels of the heavy vehicles caused irritation in the eyes.

Several hundred daily passengers, headed for offices in Chandigarh from Ambala or vice-versa, were delayed. Some were seen walking towards their destinations. Women passengers faced a tough time.

Those who knew the road network opted to go to Ramgarh in Haryana from Dera Bassi to reach Chandigarh via Panchkula.

Due to the slow moving traffic, passengers on board long route buses destined for places in Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan got delayed. For the small-time roadside vendors, it was god-sent opportunity as they rushed to meet the demands of passengers, especially small children wanting cold drinks or eatables.

Everything was, of course, priced much higher than usual for the passengers.

Travelling through these roads with deep potholes, aggravated the problem of the passengers.

Nakas to prevent snatching incidents
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 27 — While one of the scooters involved in several incidents of chain snatching has been identified, the police has increased the number of nakas at various strategic points in the southern sectors to control the occurrence of such incidents. No arrests have been made in this context.

The southern sectors especially had witnessed a spate of snatchings in the past one month. A meeting of all the area SDPOs and SHOs was held here today to discuss the reasons as to why the culprits had been eluding the police dragnet. There have been 42 such incidents so far, including four incidents within half an hour, in the same area. .

According to sources, although the snatchings were largely confined to the Sector 37 to Sector 40 belt, there are many points which needed to be covered and the force provided left much to be desired. Following the rise in the incidents, three nakas were set up in these sectors in addition to 25 motor cycles of the police control room (PCR) which patrolled these areas.

The SHOs and other personnel were also directed to mobile in their respective areas to nab the offenders.

Besides this, all nakas would have personnel drawn from the traffic police. A plan to have men from the police lines deployed at such places on need basis has been drawn up. The nakas would be in place from 6 p.m. onwards till the culprits are arrested.

Sources said they have been hit by factors beyond their control during this drive. They expressed their displeasure at the non-functional streetlights n most parts of the city. The culprits take advantage of such spots and commit the crime. A large number of the complainants were women who were ether travelling alone or were accompanied by their family members while taking a stroll after dinner.

Another factor has been the lack of big lanes and proper parking. In an incident a couple of days ago, one of the patrolling Gypsies chasing the scooter-borne snatchers got stuck in one of the small lanes in Sector 40 which had enough space for the movement of a scooter only. While the personnel backed out of the lane, the accused gave them the slip.

Yet another factor has been the practice of residents to open cul-de-sacs in their street for easy accessibility to the main roads. These openings are also being used by those involved in such incidents. Again the problem of not knowing the area properly and the inaccessibility of larger police vehicles following suspects are proving to be a hindrance.

An early breakthrough is evident as the police has managed to ascertain the involvement of a scooter used in such incidents. The owner is reported to have sold the scooter and efforts are afoot to trace the present owner. A gang of at least four to six persons and more than three scooters is active, the sources added.

Meanwhile, the police has appealed to the public to take care of their belongings and be wary of such incidents while strolling or travelling during night.

Rs 10,000 reward announced

THE police has announced a reward of Rs 10,000 to anybody who provides information leading to the arrest of the chain snatchers. The information can be forwarded to the Crime Stoppers Cell on telephone number 544444. The identity of the informer would be kept a secret, if so desired, according to a statement by the SSP.

Lawyers to abstain from work
Tribune News Service

PANCHKULA, Sept 27 — The lawyers in the district courts here have resolved to abstain from work till the police arrests the accused named in the FIR dated September 15, registered by Mr Sanjiv Gupta at the police station in Sector 5.

A case under Sections 323, 452, 504 and 506 of the IPC was registered on the basis of the complaint.

A delegation of District Bar Association, led by Mr Amit Singla, Secretary of the association, met the Superintendent of Police, Mr Alok Mittal, and appealed to him to arrest the accused immediately. The association claimed that Mr Mittal assured them that the accused would be arrested without delay. It added that a pre-arrest inquiry had been held, which had held the accused guilty.

In a meeting held here today, the association resolved that they would abstain from work till the arrest was made.

The Secretary added that the District Bar Councils of Chandigarh and Ambala had extended support to the cause of justice and would also abstain from work tomorrow.

The FIR had stated that the accused, Ms Bala Gupta of Sector 11, her son and her brother, came to Mr Sanjeev Gupta's house on September 14 at 10.30 p.m. and one of them, under the influence of liquor, forcibly entered his house. Mr Gupta was pulled out and shoved into a car, following which his neighbour Mr Mohinder Bhalla intervened.

When the trio were unrelenting, Mr Gupta's wife, Ms Meena Gupta, stood in front of the car, after which the three let him go. He was threatened with dire consequences before the three drove off in their car.

A dismissed application in court is stated to be the cause of the dispute.

October 5 last date for revenue record
From Our Correspondent

ZIRAKPUR, Sept 27 — The sarpanches and panches of the villages which have been merged to form the Zirakpur Nagar Panchayat, will submit the revenue records of their respective villages in the office of the civic body by October 5. This decision was taken by the sarpanches and panches of the villages at a meeting with the executive officer.

The representatives of Zirakpur, Lohgarh, Himmatgarh, Bishanpura, Bishangarh, Bartana and Dhakauli villages also demanded a post office in the panchayat and ration cards for the villagers of Bartana, Himmatgarh and Bishanpura. They demanded better sanitation for colonies and villages of the panchayat.

Mr Narinder Sharma, Sarpanch of Lohgarh village, demanded streetlights, 'pucca' streets and drains in the villages of the panchayat. The sarpanches of Zirakpur and Bartana villages did not attended the meeting.

Mr A.L. Bansal assured them that their demands would be met. The panchayat would first instal lights along the main road and then the rest of the demands would be taken up on priority basis.

Mr Bansal told them that the issue of making ration cards would be discussed with the offices of Food and Supply Department in Dera Bassi and Banur. The panchayat would buy a tractor and appoint sweepers for better sanitation. There was a proposal for a new bus stand, he added.

PNB officers stage dharna
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 27 — Members of the All-India Punjab National Bank Officers Association staged a dharna to protest against the decision to revise the privatisation policy without deliberations with the associations.

A large number of officers took part in the dharna in Sector 17 here today. According to Mr Vijay Kathpalia, zonal secretary of the association, the promotion policy constitutes an important aspect of service conditions and was settled between the majority officers organisations and the management of banks in 1973.

The existing policy was implemented with effect from March 1991 after discussions with their organisations and for some clauses a committee was formed. Then the managements decided to form a sub-committee to amend the promotion policy without holding discussions with them.

The agitators will also hold a token strike on October 4, he added.

‘Rosy’ welcome for Tourism Day passengers
By Sourav Sanyal & Kshiti Nijhawan

CHANDIGARH, Sept 27 — The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Chandigarh (HRAC), in its own novel way, added colour to the celebrations held on the occasion of World Tourism Day here today.

The 700 passengers of the Chandigarh-bound Shatabdi Express were in for a pleasant surprise this morning when the North India Institute of Hotel Management, in association with the Tourism Promotion Society of Chandigarh, welcomed the passengers with flowers.

CITCO organised a variety of events to celebrate World Tourism Day. The Chef Lake view at Sukhna Lake organised a cultural function and a food festival on September 26 and 27. It also offered a 15 per cent discount on all food items and beverages today.

An on-the-spot painting competition was organised in Hotel Mountview. Hundred students from different schools took part in this competition, which was divided into two groups — the junior batch, for children up to Class IV and the senior batch, for students from Class V-VIII. The students and their parents were provided complimentary snacks. The hotel also offered a 20 per cent discount in their restaurant and coffee shop.

Hotel Shivalikview organised an inter-school declamation contest. It also offered a 20 per cent discount on food in "Yangtse" and "Bazm".

CITCO organised a sight-seeing expedition for tourists and residents of Chandigarh. CITCO. The tourists were taken around Panjab University, Kala Sagar,Capitol Complex,Rose Garden Sukhna Lake and Rock Garden. Complimentary snacks and beverages were provided.

The Rose Garden, despite being a major tourist attraction of the city, had nothing special to offer. No function was organised by the authorities to mark the day. Mr Uday Singh, an employee, said that the day was like any other normal day for them.

The Art Gallery and City Museum in Sector 10 were closed as per their normal schedule of a holiday on Monday. No special function was organised to mark the day.

The Tourism promotion society of Chandigarh organised a paper reading contest — "Tourism brings world closer", at Dr Ambedkar Institute of Hotel Management, Catering and Nutrition, Sector 42, on September 25.

members of the HRAC organised food festivals and musical shows to celebrate the day.They also offered discounts on food items and gifts to customers.

Mr Manmohan S Kohli, Chief Executive of a hotel in sector 22 and the President of the HRAC and the Tourism Promotion Society of Chandigarh, said there was need for awareness programmes to promote tourism. Commenting on the sad state of tourism in India, he said that less than 0.2 per cent hotels in the country were connected by the International Computer Reservation system. The first car paging system was opened in the country only six months ago in Bangalore.

Tourists in the city had varied opinions when asked about their views on the special arrangements provided on World Tourism Day. Mr Tensing from Ladakh and Ms Atsuko from Japan who were visiting Sukhna Lake, felt that nothing special had been done to mark the day by the staff of Rajdhani guest house, where they had put up.

Ms Prabha of Chennai complained that tourists keen on shopping from Chandigarh Emporium should have been allowed a 20 per cent discount on all items. Mr Salunke from Mumbai, staying at the YMCA hostel, Sector 11, was disappointed at the indifference of the hostel authorities.

Mr Nirmal Singh, a resident of Bathinda, who is staying in Chanan Ram Memorial Trust Dharamshala, Sector 15, although happy with the amenities provided at the dharamshala, felt that functions should have been organised to make the day different. Globe trotters like Ms Margaret and Mr Mohan of Australia said that they felt special by the warmth and generosity bestowed on them by the staff members of Hotel Shivalik View.

DM's directive on migrant labourers
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 27 — In view of the increasing crime reportedly being committed in the city by migrant labourers, the District Magistrate Mr M. Ramsekhar, today issued orders, making it compulsory for all persons coming from outside to seek employment in petty and non-formal trades to inform the local police and provide their personal particulars.

The orders have been issued under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code. These will remain in force till November 25.

All persons who are plying rickshaws, rehris or auto-rickshaws or are cobblers, dhobis or phariwallas, will have to inform the police. This has been done to enable identification or verification of criminal elements.

Any breach of this order will invite action under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code, which can be imprisonment upto six months or fine of Rs 1,000 or both.

The order says interrogation of criminals reveals that some of them or their accomplices are among migrant labourers and those engaged in petty and non-formal trades.

Persons engaged in these trades do not get their antecedents verified. As a result, crime prevention becomes difficult.

Worm in tap water
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 27 — Mr Balwinder Singh, a resident of Sector 40-A, has alleged that he had received a worm in the water during the morning supply hours.

Mr Balwinder Singh sent a bottle of the water containing the worm to The Tribune office.

It may be recalled that it was not for the first time that such a complaint had been received by The Tribune. A number of persons had alleged that they had either been receiving the water with living organisms or getting muddy water.

One killed in road mishap
From Our Correspondent

KHARAR, Sept 27 — Harvinder Singh, a resident of Kharar, was killed yesterday when his scooter was hit by an unidentified vehicle. Harvinder was coming from Morinda to Kharar.

Meanwhile, the Ropar unit of the Bhartiya Kisan Union has alleged that the youth who was injured near Gharuan village yesterday could have survived had he been given timely medical aid in Gharuan’s Government Hospital.

A press note regarding this was issued here today by Mr Shamsher Singh Gharuan, President of the Ropar unit of the BKU, Mr Gurdeep Singh, Vice-President of the Sarb Hind Akali Dal’s Ropar unit, Kamlesh Sharma, member of the Panchayat of Gharuan village and Mr Mehar Singh Theri, member of the Executive Committee of the Punjab unit of the BKU. They have written that the injured person was brought to the hospital immediately but neither a doctor nor a driver of the ambulance was present on duty. The youth allegedly struggled for life for one hour, lying on a cart without the medical aid. By the time a vehicle from the village could arrive, the injured person had already died. A proper action in this regard has been demanded.

SNIPPETS

Listening efficiency 'can be improved'
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 27 — A one-day management development programme on `` Developing Effective Listening Skills'' was conducted at the ICSSR Complex of Panjab University yesterday.

According to Mr Subhash Bijlani, a leading management consultant who conducted the programme, the success of many of our activities depends on how well we listen. He revealed that studies show that on an average we spend 80 per cent of our waking hours communicating, and at least 45 per cent of that time listening. Effective listening helps us to improve results and teamwork and enhances our abilities in areas such as negotiations, conflict resolution, interviews and business meetings, he added.

He pointed out that although listening was critical in our daily lives, it was taught and studied far less than the other three basic communication skills — reading, writing and speaking. He further said that much of the trouble we have communicating with others was because of poor listening skills.

The programme highlighted that listening efficiency could be improved by understanding the steps involved in the listening process and by following these basic guidelines. These were developed in the programme through a number of exercises and role-playing.

Mr Bijlani was assisted by Prof Vidhu Mohan of the Psychology Department, who has conducted a number of workshops for leading organisations in the areas of personal development.

Welfare schemes camp ends
Tribune News service

SAS NAGAR, Sept 27 — A five-day camp organised by the Workers Education Centre, an office of the Union Labour Ministry, and the local unit of the Manav Kalyan Shiksha Kendra for educating industrial workers regarding various welfare schemes ended at Bakkarpur village, near here, yesterday.

The participants from Bakkarpur, Jhewar Heri, Chotti Mouli and Shtab Garh were given information on various schemes for the unemployed, small saving schemes, adult education, poverty, population control and health awareness programmes. Mr Triloki Nath, President of the local unit of the Manav Kalyan Shiksha Kendra, Mr Jagdeep Singh and Mr Gursewak Singh, both education officers of the Workers Education Centre, and Mr Satpal Singh, District Horticulture Officer, were among the speakers.

Bail applications deferred
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 27 — The Sessions Judge, Mr B.S. Bedi, today deferred till October 1 the bail applications moved by Mr A.S. Gulati, Mr V.K. Narula and Mr H.S. Brar, Additional Superintending Engineer, Circle Head Draftsman and Executive Engineer of the Chandigarh Administration.

All these engineers are facing trial in connection with FIR No 1 registered by the Vigilance Department of the Administration in 1999 for allegedly preparing inflated estimates for laying 11 KV cable from Sector 34 to Sector 21.

The working for laying the cable was executed at Rs 20 lakh against the estimate of Rs 40 lakh prepared by the Administration’s engineers.

In their bail pleas, these applicants stated that they were not required by the prosecution for any investigation of the case. Nor was there any apprehension that they would abscond.

Protest against pollution
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 27 — Residents of Ram Darbar, Industrial Area, Phase 1 colony, have protested against the pollution being caused by certain scrap dealers in the area.

A number of residents were affected by pollution-related ailments. Mr Garish Kumar, a resident of the area, said the scrap dealers burnt waste material collected from industrial units. The burning of the material emitted poisonous gases and a pungent smell.

He said the scrap material was burnt throughout the day and the menace had been continuing for the last year and a half. Requests to the police and the authorities concerned had failed to redress the grievances of the residents.

Samagam of Sikh missionaries
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 27 — The Annual Central Samagam of Sikh Missionary College, Ludhiana, will be held in Gurdwara Sahib, Sector 34-D, Chandigarh, from September 30 to October 3.

Missionaries from all over India will deliberate on various subjects. Besides, katha, kirtan and lectures by renowned missionaries and contests for children have also been arranged.

The special attraction of the programme is the gurmat quiz to be held on October 2 at 8 p.m. 'Amrit Sanchar' will also be held on the same day.