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| Wednesday, March 22, 2000, Chandigarh, India |
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Attempt to
rob LIC office in Phase II SAS NAGAR, March 21 — Burglars, high on liquor, made an unsuccessful robbery attempt at the office of the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) in Phase II here late last night. They escaped in a Fiat car, leaving behind a chest containing over Rs 2 lakh after alert residents of the area raised the alarm. The burglars later left behind the car bearing registration number of Chandigarh while fleeing from the scene. According to the information available, the burglars, at least four, broke open the front door of the office and climbed to the top floor of the building where the walled chest was located. Though officials of the LIC could not be contacted to ascertain the amount of money lying in the chest, the police said it contained over Rs 2 lakh. The tipsy thieves after taking out the chest from the wall found it difficulty to lift as it was heavy and rolled it down the stairs. The Superintendent of Police, SAS Nagar, Mr B.S.Randhawa, said the rolling noise of the chest woke up labourers, resting at a nearby construction site, who came out to see what had happened. Some attendants at a nearby hospital also woke up and chased the thieves, who were trying to lift the chest up to the car. The alert residents chased the burglars to a distance but could not catch them. While fleeing the thieves banged their car in a road blockade and had to leave behind the car. Mr Randhawa said the burglars had been tracked down from the registration number of the car. Police teams led by the SHO, Phase 1 police station had gone to Rajpura and other suspected hideouts of the thieves to arrest them. The car used in the burglary attempt had been recently purchased from a person of Chandigarh. Some acquaintance of the
suspects had been rounded up by the police. A case under
Sections 380, 457 and 511 of the IPC has been registered
by the police. |
Bindra,
Mann given clean chit CHANDIGARH, March 21 — Permitting the closure of a criminal case pertaining to the transfer of government land by the Sports Department to the Punjab Cricket Association, UT District and Sessions Judge B.S. Bedi has also directed the return of “relevant” documents “subject to the result of revision, appeal if any”. Pronouncing the orders in the open court, the Sessions Judge observed: “On conclusion of the investigations, the CBI has reported that no evidence is forthcoming to prove criminal misconduct of I.S. Bindra (PCA President).... Similarly, the CBI has reported that no irregularity on part of R.S. Mann has come to light during the investigations”. The Sessions Judge also observed: “Further, the CBI also reported that Tejinder Kaur was responsible for irregularly enhancing the land allotment to PCA, and, therefore, RDA (regular departmental action) has been recommended against her”. The Sessions Judge further observed: “The CBI has further reported that no evidence is forthcoming to prove criminal misconduct on part of any of the officials. Therefore, it has prayed that this case may be allowed to be closed and orders may be passed for returning the documents submitted by the CBI”. In his detailed order, the Sessions Judge observed: “On going through the record of the investigation, report submitted by the CBI / Investigating Officer and after hearing the Special Public Prosecutor for the CBI and Deputy Advocate General, Punjab ,for the complainant and for the Punjab State, one feels inclined to agree with the report of the CBI”. The Judge further observed: “Therefore, the case is allowed to be closed. The relevant documents be returned to the department concerned to the quarters concerned after the period and subject to the result of the revision/appeal, if any”. Earlier, the CBI, in its report had stated that no misappropriation or irregularity in the “use of funds” had been ascertained during the investigations. Arguing before the Sessions Judge, the CBI PP had stated that the contributions made by the government corporations and boards had been “properly been reflected in the account books”. He had added that Mr Bindra had “not spent any stadium funds on foreign tours, nor had availed any credit card or expense account from these funds”. The case, it may be recalled, was registered by the premier investigating agency against “unknown officials and others” under Section 120-B and 420 of the Indian Penal Code, besides under the Prevention of Corruption Act, on February 25, 1997, on the written complaint of the Punjab Chief Secretary”. The CBI was required to
investigate into the transfer of about 15 acres of
government land in S.A.S. Nagar by the Sports Department
to the PCA, besides looking into “other matters
connected with the utilisation of land and funds granted
by the government to the PCA”. The CBI was also
required to “see if any culpable offence or attempt,
abetment and misuse of official position had been made
for private benefit”. |
Woman
consumes poison, dies CHANDIGARH, March 21 — The demon of dowry has snuffed out another life in its prime. Poonam, a resident of Sector 19, breathed her last in the PGI after allegedly consuming a poisonous substance at the house of her in-laws in Mani Majra. The 26-year-old, “a cheerful individual with a lot of spunk”, was staying with her cousin brother in the sector since April, 1993. “She belonged to Mukerian and had been brought to the city by us to look after his son and, besides, pursue her studies here”, revealed Uma Bhandari, a sister-in-law of the deceased. “She was married to Sanjeev Kumar in October, 1997, and gave birth to twin girls a year back. But the marriage was on the rocks from the very beginning as the in-laws were not very helpful and adjusting towards the new bride and felt that the dowry she brought was inadequate. They taunted her and made snide remarks on the inability of her brother to even give her items like a double bed.” To make matters worse, she gave birth to twin girls about a year-and-a-half back and the harassment and ill-treatment worsened with each passing day, thereof. She was beaten by her mother- in- law and an unmarried sister- in- law and had to be saved by the neighbours on many occasions. “Last year matters had reached such a pass that she and her husband were asked to live separately from the rest of the family. But the elders in the family prevailed and they again started living together,” recounted Poonam, another sister- in-law of the deceased who lives in the same sector. “I got a call at about 11 a.m. in the morning from Sanjeev informing her that Poonam had consumed some poisonous substance and that she should inform the deceased’s brother. I and my husband went to their house in Mani Majra but were told that she had been taken to PGI. We rushed there and saw her lying unattended. She was unconscious, and took two deep breaths in front of us, which were her last,” she narrated with moist eyes. The entire neighbourhood had descended to the residence of the Bhandaris and were seething with anger at her in-laws. “Poonam was a good girl and on very cordial terms with everyone in the neighbourhood. Always eager to help others, she in turn found solace and support from all of us. Her in-laws should not be spared”, added another neighbour. Mr Rakesh Bhandari, the brother of the deceased, along with other friends and relatives were at the Mani Majra police station, awaiting the arrival of Poonam’s parents from Mukerian. Investigations by the
police are underway. |
Government
land cleared of encroachments SAS NAGAR, March 21 — Government land valued at over Rs 15 crore in Sector 69 was cleared of encroachments by the enforcement wing of the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA) in a seven-hour long drive here today. The land acquired by PUDA had been earmarked for residential use. The sector is located in the southern part of the town along the SAS Nagar- Sohana road. A number of residential plots of one-kanal and ten-marla size could not be allotted due to encroachment by a dera spread over an area of about two acres in the sector. Due to the encroachment, the development works like roads and laying of sewer and water lines could not be completed in a pocket of the sector. The Additional Chief Administrator (ACA) , PUDA, Mr Dipinder Singh, who along with the Estate Officer, Mr G.S.Ghuman and staff of the enforcement staff supervised the drive, said the drive was started as a stay taken by the incharge of the dera was recently vacated by a Ropar court. The land was under the occupation of the dera for the last eight years. The drive which started at around 9 a.m went on till 6 p.m. At least three JCBs were used by the enforcement staff in the drive. A strong force was also present on the spot to prevent any untoward incident. Over 100 residential plots had been cleared in the drive. Some of the plot holders in the pocket had moved the consumer court at Ropar against PUDA for not handing over physical possession of their plots. There were a number of unallotted plots. The officials of PUDA
said that certain sections of C road planned in the
pocket of the sector had also been covered by the
encroacher. Besides, the enforcement staff also covered
an unused well which had come in the way of planned road
in the sector. |
Chill in the air CHANDIGARH, March 21 — Overcast conditions accompanied by strong winds made city residents feel a bit uncomfortable. The local meteorological office explained that western disturbances over northern Pakistan were leading to the moisture build-up in this region. The cold cover could result in rain at many places, the officials said, while adding that today’s day time temperature was close to 4°C below normal for this time of the year. During the day city residents had to pull out light woollens that had been discarded just a few days ago when the day-time temperature had touched 30.2°C.This was on March 17. Since then day time temperatures have dropped gradually with today being the least warmest in the past one week. Interestingly,
today’s morning temperature, recorded at 16.0°C was
the warmest in the past week. It was also 2°C above the
normal average for this time of the year. The minimum
temperature does not drop when there is a cloud cover, as
it was last night, explain met officials. |
‘Bring
killers to book’ CHANDIGARH, March 21 — The massacre of 35 Sikhs in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir has come in for severe condemnation by local units of various political parties and other organisations. The Kashmiri Sahayak Sabha described it as a “heinous, barbaric, dastardly and inhuman crime committed against innocent Sikhs. The killers should be immediately brought to book with the help of the security forces.” The act, the sabha said, had vindicated the views expressed by the community and sets at rest the false propaganda of the central and the state governments about the normalisation of the situation in the valley. Both central and state governments were soft-peddling the issue.Ms Nancy Ganju, President of the sabha, appealed to the US President to intervene and stop such inhuman acts of barbarism perpetuated from across the border. Mr N.S. Minhas of one of the factions of the Shiromani Akali Dal also condemned the killings and held that such actions could not create a wedge between various communities in the country. Mr Devinder Singh Babla and Mr Sandeep Singh of the Chandigarh Territorial Congress Committee also condemned the brutal killings and held that minorities were feeling “insecure” in the country. Mr Joginder Singh
Sawhney of the Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal in a
statement said that weak foreign policy and siding of
Sikhs with the government were the real causes that led
to yesterday’s inhuman killings. He urged the Union
Government to take immediate effective steps to protect
the life and property of the Sikhs in Jammu and Kashmir. |
Sectors 55
residents seek withdrawal of notices CHANDIGARH, March 21— Residents of Sector 55, who have been issued notices by the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) to demolish their illegal structures, have demanded the withdrawal of the notices. The residents alleged that they were being “singled out” as they had only made “need-based” alterations within the area of their flats without encroaching upon any government land. While they were being “harassed” by the CHB, the influential persons, who had encroached upon the government land worth crores of rupees, were going scot-free. The minor alterations and additions had been made by the residents for privacy and security and no structural changes had been made. No government land had been encroached upon and the balconies covered were very much part of the flats. Similarly, the stairs constructed by the allottees to have access to the top floors for repairing the water tanks etc should not be construed to be additions and alterations. This facility should have been provided by CHB as it had done in west of Sector 38. Meanwhile, the CHB Flats Residents Welfare Association, in a memorandum to the UT Administrator, alleged that there was lack of civic amenities in the sector even after five years of handing over of the possession as the Chandigarh Administration had not yet issued any notification for the inclusion of the sector in the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (MCC). Whenever the association approached the MCC for the repair of the road from the Palsora Chowk to SAS Nagar barrier near Sector 55, and provision of the streetlighting on the road, it was given the stock reply that these were to be done by the Administration. The area had become accident-prone on account of the non-functioning of the streetlights. Similarly, there was no
dispensary, no playground, no school and no community
centre in the sector. And repeated pleas to the
authorities concerned to develop a park despite paying
the developmental charges had fallen on deaf ears, it
added. |
A dull
Holi in Mohali SAS NAGAR, March 21 — The festival of Holi was a dull affair in the town as the usual scene of youngsters on mobikes and four-wheelers with blaring music systems was missing. The roads wore almost a deserted look with just police patrol out to keep a watch on the trouble-makers. At different traffic lights the police could be seen challaning the revellers who dared to defy the traffic norms. However, no figure of the total number of challans was available with the police. A round of the town revealed that most of the revellers covered in vibrant colours preferred to visit the houses of their near and dear ones. Scenes of revellers sitting on car tops and screaming youngsters on whizzing two-wheelers was a rare sight. The cops were out in
large numbers. At least 12 mobile patrol parties and two
foot patrol parties were on duty. Meanwhile, barring
instances of minor brawls no untoward incident was
reported from the town. Around 7 cases of minor injuries
due to accidents were reported at the local Civil
Hospital. In a specific case of a friendly brawl a
youngster tried to strangulate a seven year boy, Yadhvir
of Sector 56 here. |
ISKCON
devotees hold celebrations CHANDIGARH, March 21 — The local unit of ISKCON organised a function here on the occasion of Gaur Purnima, as a part of the birthday celebrations of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, at Hare Krishna Dham in Sector 36-B, yesterday. Thousands of devotees thronged the temple to attend it, said Bhakti Vinod Dasa Prabhu, President of the unit. The festival began with a mangala aarti, followed by sringaar aarti and a discourse on the life and times of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. This was followed by bhajan and sankirtan by ISKCON devotees. A play Jaghai Madhai Udhaar was also staged by children. The main attraction of the programme was mahabhishek of Lord Chaitanya, followed by distribution of prasadam among the congregation. Addressing a large gathering on this occasion, Radha Ballabh Dasa Prabhu of Vrindavan and Nand Maharaj Dasa Prabhu gave a discourse on the life and teachings of Mahaprabhu and urged devotees to follow the path shown by him. As a part of the
celebrations, a three-day discourse on Bhagwatam by Radha
Ballabh Dasa Prabhu also began from today on the temple
premises. |
A sector
prepares to tackle criminals PANCHKULA, March 19 — The members of the Area Protection and Welfare Society of Sector 6 are determined to make their sector a model one and self-sufficient. They have devised a way to protect themselves from anti-social elements. Residents of Block-A of the sector have installed five massive gates on the roads at the entry and exit points to the sector. Eight-foot tall grills and fences have been erected at strategic points around the sector. There are wicket gates at five places for the pedestrians. The motive behind the exercise is also to complement the efforts of the local police. After 10 pm everyday, the sector will open at only one entry and exit terminal. In the night, five securitymen will guard the 120 houses in the area. One of them will be permanently stationed at the gate. The residents have been given specially-designed car and scooter stickers, identifying vehicles in the area. The patron of the society and a former Director General of Police (DGP) of Haryana, Mr H.S. Swan, said the society planned to equip the area with all ultra-modern services for self-protection from anti-social elements. ''To share the burden of the local police, the society will undertake verification and identification drives for domestic servants, including drivers in the area, who will be issued identity cards, copies of which will also be sent to the local police,'' he said. The whole project is, reportedly, being funded from voluntary donations by the residents. The project also involves special surveillance of vacant plots and shorts-cuts to the sector. The Chairman of the society, Mr J.C. Chopra, said staff for daily maintenance and repair services, including gardeners, sweepers, plumbers and electricians, will be provided. They would be accredited and given identity cards by the society, he added. Mr Swan said all these measures should act as a deterrent for criminals and could help in reducing the crime, if implemented in all sectors. As the entry to the sector would be subject to the possession of identity cards, chances of unscrupulous elements looking for a hunt in the area would be restricted, he added. The society also plans
to install telephones at the gates to communicate with
the residents, In the second phase of the drive, hooters
will be set-up at strategic points in the sector to raise
alarm during an emergency. |
'Bill
cannot undo Justice Mahajan's work' CHANDIGARH, March 21 — "What Justice Mehr Chand Mahajan did, will not be undone by Bill Clintion," said a former Supreme Court Judge, Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer, while commenting on Justice Mahajan's firmly asking the then Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, to send troops to Kashmir for tackling tribals or Lahore's help would be sought. However, he said he was not criticising the American President's visit. He said, "Justice Mahajan thought Jammu and Kashmir was at stake, he thought it was now or never. He acted and he won. That is why we have major portion of Kashmir on our side." The comments came after the Chairman of Panjab University's Department of Laws, Professor V.K. Bansal narrated the episode of Justice Mahajan's visit to Nehru as the Prime Minister of Kashmir. Continuing with a lecture on Judicial Justice in Action — a Functional Audit at the Department of Laws, Justice Iyer said, "We remember Justice Mahajan as a person with a mission. It is for today's generation to carry on with the mission." The lecture was presided over by Mr Justice J.L. Gupta of the Punjab and Haryana High Court here. Panjab University's Vice-Chancellor, Professor M.M. Puri, was also present during the lecture. Meanwhile, stressing the need for "training Judges in the art of management" to remove weaknesses in the judicial administration, Justice Iyer said there was still a delay in the appointment of Judges. He added that there were vacancies in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, besides the Kerala High Court and the Madras High Court. He described the powers of the Supreme Court and the High Courts as "matchless" and said, "Compassion should guide Judges." "We belong to a
country where Judges have enormous power and greater
power means greater responsibility.” |
Freedom
fighter O.P. Vij dead CHANDIGARH, March 21— Mr O.P. Vij, a veteran freedom fighter and President of the Freedom Fighters Association, Chandigarh, died at his Sector 16 residence here today after a brief illness. He was 85. He is survived by his wife, two sons and four daughters. Mr Vij was associated
with a number of organisations and was a philanthropist
and social reformer. President of the Arya Samaj,
Chandigarh, he was also the founder President of the
Northern India Photographers Association. He also worked
as a photographer for The Tribune for many years. Mr Vij
was also known for his active involvement in the
activities of Gandhi Smarak Bhavan, Chandigarh, and
Lajpat Rai Bhavan, Chandigarh. |
Sector 24 resident held
for rash driving CHANDIGARH, March 21 — The police has arrested a resident of Sector 24 on the charges of killing a person by rash and negligent driving. According to police sources, Amar Nath, 68, was seriously injured when he was hit by a scooter, CHOIW 3540, driven by Arun Kalyan. The deceased was rushed to the PGI, where he succumbed to his injuries. The accused was also admitted to the hospital. A case under Section 279/337/ 304-A, IPC, has been registered. Three assaulted, injured: As many as three persons were assaulted and injured in separate instances in the city. Gogi, a resident of Phase II, Ram Darbar, was attacked by Satbir, Shiv, Jaspal and Sanjay, in Sector 47. The windowpanes of his house were also damaged by the accused. A case under Section 452/323/ 427/341, IPC, has been registered. Jaspal Singh, a resident of the same colony, reported that he was attacked by Gogi of the same colony. A case under Section 324, IPC, has been registered. Similarly, Mohan Lal, a resident of Sector 55, reported that four unknown persons attacked and injured him. A case under Section 324/34, IPC, has been registered. 50 pouches of whisky seized: The police has arrested Karnail Singh, a resident of Patiala, from the market of Sector 47, and recovered 50 pouches of whisky. A case under Section 61/1/14 of the Excise Act has been registered. Drinking in public: The police has registered Amrik Singh, Hardeep Singh and Yashpal, for drinking at a public place near the Mohali barrier. A case under Section 61/1/14 of the Excise Act has been registered. 21 detained: The police has arrested 21 persons under Sections 107/151, Cr P C, for apprehension of breach of peace. Three persons have been arrested under Section 34/5/61 of the Police Act, for creating nuisance at a public place while under the influence of liquor. PANCHKULA ITBP Inspector dies in mishap: An inspector of the ITBP scummed to his injuries at the General Hospital, Sector 6, after being hit by a speeding vehicle near Ramgarh yesterday. In his complaint, Kundan Singh, hailing from Uttar Pradesh, stated that the vehicle hit his scooter, MBW 2838, and led to serious injuries following which he was rushed to hospital. A case has been registered under Section 279, 304 A of the IPC. Family injured in accident: Moti Lal, his wife and two children were injured when a car DL-3CP-9878 hit his motorcycle near Chandi Mandir. A case has been registered under Sections 279, 337 of the IPC against the driver of the car. Truck injures
girl: A speeding truck, CH-1N-7763, crushed the
foot of a little girl near the Yadavindra Gardens and
fled from the scene. A case has been registered against
Mohan Lal, driver of the truck, under Sections 279, 338
of the IPC. |
3 SHOs
transferred CHANDIGARH, March 21 — The Police Department has transferred three station house officers (SHOs) in the city. The orders were issued by Mr S.K. Singh, IGP, here on Tuesday evening. Inspector Bishwa Lal,
currently posted with the crime branch operation (CBO)
cell has been posted as SHO, South, in place of Inspector
Nanha Ram, who will be SHO, Mani Majra, police station.
Inspector Jagbir Singh, SHO, Mani Majra, has been
transferred to the VIP Security Branch. |
Free computer facility
for the disabled CHANDIGARH, March 21 — People who are handicapped or belong to the economically weaker sections of society now have an opportunity to learn computers at one of the centres in the city. While it is being offered free to the handicapped persons, those from the economically weaker sections can avail the facility at 50 per cent discount. Lifesteps Computer Centre, which is currently functioning from the premises of Punjab Red Cross Bhawan, Sector 16, caters to people who are physically handicapped or mentally challenged. Thus it was started by Mr Joel David and Mr Dale Kenyon, who had a desire to train such people in the skills of computer and make them more self-reliant in this age of computers. Talking to Chandigarh Tribune, Mr Kenyon said that they initially started functioning from the Nevedac Prosthetic Centre, Zirakpur, in 1997 and would primarily train a majority of Nevedac inmates, besides few outsiders. But seeing their interest and general response, they decided to move to Sector 16, which is more central and within the reach of people keen on doing these courses. He further informed that they are presently offering three months' diploma in office computing which includes knowledge about windows, MS-office, Internet and English to the beginners. This is perhaps the only option available to the batch of the mentally challenged persons who often complete this diploma in more than three months’ time period. But certain simple intermediate short-term and advanced courses are also available for the others. It offers one year foundation diploma in information technology based upon DOEACC 'O’ level. Mr Sushant Dass, one of the volunteers at the centre, said that “the money which we charge the outsiders for doing these courses is spent on providing infrastructure for these special people.” “As a step forward in this direction, the centre is planning to set up a special software to enable the blind people to use computers in the next two weeks. The centre, which presently has 10 computers, runs batches of 10 each and will shortly be adding another three. Mr Kenyon, who came from Canada to help his friend David to start the project, says: “The handicapped people get excited at the very sight of the computer and feel thrilled to learnt it. Their grasp is fairly good and parents are often amazed at their learning skills. The entire experience is very satisfying.” Jagdish Singh, a government employee from UT who is keen to become a computer operator from his present post of a peon, has joined this course to learn the required skills of handling a computer. The absence of his right hand is no deterrent for he is comfortable on the computer and is determined to achieve his goal. Sanjit, who is mentally
challenged and physically disabled, also has dreams. He
wants to be in tune with the times and be computer
literate. “I will buy a computer once I finish my
course and teach children. This will help me earn some
livelihood also,” he says. Hence, all those
interested can join these courses from 9 am to 5 pm at
the Sector 16 Red Cross Bhawan. The centre which promises
Internet-oriented curriculum and training also provides
audio-visual teaching aids, library facility. |
Computer
course introduced SAS NAGAR, March 21 — The Department of Industrial Technical Education and Industrial Training, Punjab, has introduced a course in computer numerical controlled machines at its industrial training institute here. Mr M.P.Singh, Principal
of the institute, said the course has been introduced for
the first time in Punjab. Besides, a course in CAD and
CAM was being introduced at the institute in
collaboration with the CEDTI. |
Babies
awarded CHANDIGARH, March 21 — The main branch of the State Bank of India in Sector 17 sponsored the Healthy Baby Contest organised by the Chandigarh Consumer Forum and distributed prizes to the winners in various categories. The programme aimed at creating health awareness among children in various age groups. The Deputy General
Manager of the bank, Mr V.K. Gupta highlighted various
community services undertaken by the bank, including the
organisation of health, blood donation and medical
check-up camps. |
Bungee
jumping show CHANDIGARH, March 21— A four-day “Karsun’s Kids Karnival” is being organised by Karsun International from March 23 to 26 at the Sector 17 Parade grounds. The highlight of the show will be Bungee jumping, which the organisers claim will be held in North India for the first time. This Indo-German venture will feature youngsters jumping from a height of 180 ft with only an elastic cord tied to the ankles. A unique tunnel entrance will lead to the world of “Aquafresh underwater utopia”. Greenish seawater will display a wealth of surprises, among them octopuses, frogs, crocodiles etc. Another attraction will
be the famous ship Titanic. A 30 by 90 ft replica has a
dance floor on the lower deck. The show will also have
shopping surprises — garments, books, CDs etc. |
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