The letter “a” made all the difference
By Sarbjit Singh
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 24 — A “blunder” committed by the Punjab Government in reproducing the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order 1950, in the form of a Manual of Instructions for Reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in government service made Mrs Satwant Kaur Sandhu, Minister of State for Printing and Stationery , pay a heavy price.

The order had been reproduced as the manual by the government to grant it legal sanctity to provide reservation to the Scheduled Castes in the state.

She was unseated yesterday by the Punjab and Haryana High Court as the Ramdasia caste, on the basis of which she contested from the Chamkaur Sahib reserved assembly constituency, was not recognised as a Scheduled Caste in the Constitution.

Mr G.S. Bal, counsel for Mrs Satwant Kaur, told Tribune News Service that while reproducing the order, the authorities concerned in the state government wittingly or unwittingly substituted the word “Ramdasi” by “Ramdasia”, adding the letter “a” to it on their own. The order recognises the word “Ramdasi” and not “Ramdasia”, as used by the Punjab Government in its reservation policy.

The officers concerned in Punjab issue certificates to beneficiaries mentioning the word “Ramdasia”.

He said Mrs Satwant Kaur would file an appeal in the Supreme Court to challenge the decision of the high court. He said there was a time limit of 30 days to file the appeal. The judgement of the high court had become operative immediately after it was delivered by Mr Justice Amar Dutt.

Mr Bal said the implications of the judgement were extensive. All officials under the reserved category, who secured employment against the reservation quota by submitting certificates mentioning their caste as “Ramdasia” could lose their jobs. He said the state government would have to amend its manual to replace the word “Ramdasia” with “Ramdasi”.

Diploma holders await justice
From Chander Parkash
Tribune News Service

TALWANDI SABO, Nov 24 — More than 50 students who passed diploma in Pharmacy (D. Phar) from the local Guru Kashi College during 1992-1994, are without jobs as the diplomas awarded to them by Punjabi University are not recognised by the Pharmacy Council of India.

These students have approached the Lok Pal, Punjab, and the Punjab State Human Rights Commission for redressal of their grievance.

The students have failed to get any relief after they brought the matter to the notice of the Punjabi University authorities.

The university started a three-year diploma course in pharmacy in this college for promoting job-oriented courses in rural areas. However, the Punjabi University authorities did not take permission from the Pharmacy Council of India before starting the course.

Mr Hargobind Singh, President, Pharmacy Students and Parents Association, Guru Kashi College, Talwandi Sabo, said 80 students appeared in two examinations conducted by Punjabi University and 55 were declared pass and awarded certificates.

He said the students were unable to open their own chemist shops. Since the diploma they held was without recognition, they were not able to register themselves with the Punjab Pharmacy Council which was necessary for a job or for opening a chemist shop.

He pointed out that in the recent past a team of the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) headed by Vice-Chairman Dr Vijaypal Singh had visited the college and examined the relevant records. The team had submitted its inspection report to the chairman of the PCI. However, things had failed to move further.

The Pharmacy Students and Parents Association, in a memorandum to Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, yesterday sought his intervention.

The memorandum pointed out that admission to the diploma course was made after an entrance exam by the Punjabi University authorities. The diploma-holders had also completed three months of mandatory training in various hospitals.

No VIP to lay stone of gateway
Tribune News Service

HUSSAINIWALA (Ferozepore), Nov 24 — Inability of a VIP to lay the foundation stone has delayed the construction of a proposed gateway on the Indian side of the border close to the joint checkpost (JCP) here.

Although Pakistan has a huge gateway, on its side the Indian Government is yet to construct a structure on its side of the border. Even as the drawings are ready and Rs 30 lakh have been earmarked for the project, the authorities have attributed the delay to the non-availability of a VIP to hold stone laying ceremony.

The Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, was slated to perform this task on September 22, but his pre-occupation during Sunam byelection had prevented him from visiting Ferozepore. Later, the Chief Minister went on a US tour, further delaying the ceremony.

Sources in the administration revealed that the gateway project was chalked out much earlier following persistent public demand. The daily visitors at the JCP felt the need for a gateway in view of a similar structure on the opposite side in Pakistani territory.

Despite availability of funds and preparedness of the government, the construction has been delayed for want of a VIP. However, on being contacted for comments, the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Kulbir Singh Sidhu, claimed that the Chief Minister had assured to spare some time in near future to lay the foundation stone. He said the Chief Minister had made a similar assurance while leaving for the US tour and there was no question of further delay.

Nabha to have LPG bottling plant
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 24 — Mr Ram Naik, Union Minister for Petroleum, will visit Amritsar on November 25 to inaugurate the “amar jyoti” at the historic Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar as a tribute to the known and unknown martyrs, who sacrificed their lives on April 13,1919, for the attainment of freedom for the country. This “amar jyoti” has been constructed by Indian Oil Corporation at Jallianwala Bagh on the pattern of the “Amar Jawan Jyoti” at India Gate, New Delhi.

The requirement of LPG will be around 25 cylinders per month which will be provided by the Indian Oil Corporation, free of cost, at an annual financial implication of around Rs 75,000.

On November 26, Mr Naik, accompanied by Mr Parkash Singh Badal, will dedicate to the nation an ultra-modern LPG bottling plant at Nabha in district Patiala. This bottling plant constructed in 81 acres and has been completed at a cost of around Rs 37 crore. The bottling capacity of this plant is 8,8000 metric tonnes per annum, and it is fitted with two electronic machines each having 24 filling guns. The plant will bottle around 28,000 cylinders per day, which will ease the LPG availability in the area. The plant is fitted with the latest fire-fighting equipment consisting of an automatic sprinkler system. With the commissioning of this project, the people of the State will be greatly benefited and the gas connections and the cylinders will be easily available.

On November 26, Mr L.K. Advani, Union Home Minister, will be visiting the Wagah border, Amritsar, to dedicate an arts gallery constructed at a cost of Rs 99 lakh to the nation.

Give names of ‘blacklisted’ NRIs, says panel

JALANDHAR, Nov 24 (PTI) — Showing concern at the denial of visas to several Sikh non-resident Indains on the pretext of their names being on ‘’suspect and black list’’ by the Central Government, the National Minorities Commission has asked the Central Government to furnish the lists.

The names of 150 Sikh NRIs had been deleted from these lists by the Central Government last month, he said.

Murder case: witnesses turn hostile
From Our Correspondent

ROPAR, Nov 24 — All CBI witnesses against suspect police officials in the case of implication of Harpreet in the advocate Kulwant Singh and his family’s murder turned hostile at the hearing held yesterday in the court of the District and Sessions Judge, Mr Maghar Khan. Till date, the CBI has produced about 25 witnesses against the police officials, of which 21 have turned hostile.

Advocate Kulwant Singh and his entire family was allegedly kidnapped and murdered by some unidentified persons. Under pressure from the public, the police allegedly implicated Harpreet in the murder case. A case was registered against him under Section 302, IPC, in February, 1993.

Some of the advocates, however, filed a public interest litigation in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, demanding a CBI inquiry into the case. The high court rejected the plea. The lawyers then moved to the Supreme Court which ordered a CBI inquiry into the case.

After the CBI inquiry, the court acquitted Harpreet. The CBI chargesheeted Jaspal Singh, DSP, Balwant Singh, Inspector, Avindervir Singh, SHO, and Darshan Singh, Sub-Inspector, for implicating Harpreet.

The CBI has enlisted about 218 witnesses in the case out of which 25 have been produced before the court.

Lack of safety kits blamed for deaths
From Gurpreet Singh
Tribune News Service

FEROZEPORE, Nov 24 — Four deaths of PSEB employees through electrocution since March has sparked a controversy in the Ferozepore circle.

The four died while repairing faults. The PSEB Technical Services Union leaders blame the deaths on lack of safety kits, inadequate field staff and mounting work pressure.

According to the president of Technical Services Union of the local circle, Mr Rakesh Kumar, persistent demand for the provision of adequate safety kits have fallen on deaf ears. The wornout safety kits also need immediate replacement. The safety kit includes a belt, test pins and gloves.

While the PSEB Superintending Engineer, Mr B.D. Sharma, claims that the safety kits are available with the department and attribute the mishaps to negligence on the part of the employees, the union leaders allege that pressure for “quick results” during the power crisis lead to most accidents.

Mr Rakesh Kumar, however, argues that due to shortage of staff, seniors press for quick results, leading to fatal errors.

However, sources in the department blame the deaths on a tendency to engage untrained staff like sweepers and gardeners as linemen to carry out repairs by certain PSEB employees. Since they have no work experience, they frequently commit errors. In one of the recent cases, a junior engineer was suspended for engaging an untrained person, who died while repairing a fault in the Makhu area.

PSEB dispels fears on N-station
Tribune News Service

PATIALA, Nov 24 — The Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) today tried to dispel fears of Patran residents regarding the proposed 1000 mw nuclear power station, saying they could live safely around the power station without any ill-effect to their health.

An official press note here said only 1000 hectares were needed for the station and the people could live in its vicinity without facing health hazards.

The note said 14 nuclear power reactors were operating in India of which Narora and Tarapur nuclear power stations were located in thickly populated areas . It said the power station at Narora was functioning since the past 31 years and no ill-effects had been observed in the population living around it.

It said the construction of such power stations required a workforce of at least 5,000. Hence the Patran station was likely to create a lot of job opportunities.

POLITICS

Talwandi not in race for top SGPC post
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Nov 24 — The senior vice-president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal), Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi, today refuted the press reports that the was a contender for the post of the SGPC. He denied having given any statement to this effect. He said he was a loyal worker of the party and would discharge any responsibility that the party entrusted him with.

He maintained that statements about his candidature for the SGPC post were released by his political opponents to malign him and cause political damage. The Political Affairs Committee (PAC) of the party had authorised Mr Parkash Singh Badal to name the candidate for the post and he himself was a party to this decision.

He said the decision taken by Mr Badal would be acceptable to the party.

Delegates, who will elect the president, will come here tomorrow at Punjab Congress Bhavan. If any other candidates has filed his nomination papers and these are found valid, the election will be held on November 26.

Strike over case against doctor
Tribune News Service

SANGRUR, Nov 24 — Health services in the local civil hospital yesterday remained paralysed for three hours as doctors observed strike for the first half protesting against the registration of a case under Section 304-A of the IPC against Dr Pratibha Bansal, a gynaecologist in the hospital here.

The case was registered against the gynaecologist by the police on the complaint of Mrs Jagdish Kaur that her daughter-in-law, Sukhwinder Kaur (26) of Kamomajra village died in the hospital on Tuesday night due to alleged negligence on the part of the gynaecologist. Sukhwinder Kaur was admitted to the hospital on Tuesday morning for delivery of a baby while she died in the night after giving birth to a stillborn baby.

Describing the registration of a case against Dr Bansal as a false case, a deputation of the PCMS Association led by Dr Darshan Pal, district president of the association, today met the Civil Surgeon, Dr C.P. Bansal, and briefed him about the incident and registration of case against Dr Bansal.

Later, the deputation also met Mr Rajesh Jaiswal, ASP, Sangrur, and submitted him a memorandum with regard to registration of a case against Dr Bansal and the association’s stand. The deputation also briefed him about the incident and the case.

In its memorandum, the association, while rejecting the allegation of negligence on the part of the gynaecologist, has demanded the withdrawal of the case, claiming it to be a ‘false’ case against the doctor. The association has also demanded in the memorandum immediately suspension of the SHO for registering a false case.

The association has also demanded action against those who had filed an alleged “false” complaint.

The Sangrur unit of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has also condemned the filing of a “false” case against, Dr Bansal. Dr Surinder Singla, secretary of the unit, while demanding withdrawal of the case has said registration of such cases against doctors may harm the doctor-patient relationship in the future. 

Discussion on Gurbani marks varsity function
From Our Correspondent

AMRITSAR, Nov 24 — There are no differences among the coalition partners in the NDA and the alliance at the Centre stands like a rock, said the Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, while talking to mediapersons after attending the 31st Foundation Day function of Guru Nanak Dev University here today.

Mr Chautala said the alliance partners may have different perceptions on various issues, but they had a common agenda. He discounted differences with the state BJP.

Earlier addressing a gathering at Guru Nanak Bhavan, the Chief Minister urged the intelligentsia to introspect as to why the country continued to lag behind other countries. Mr Chautala said in spite of the fact that the country had produced great philosophers and sages, the people continued to be backward.

“The saints provided us guidance and wisdom to lead a simple and pure life and the whole world was at our feet, but in spite of this great advantage, our people still remained divided on the basis of religion, caste, region and language”.

He complimented computer engineers from India, especially in the field of information technology as advanced countries were luring them with better facilities. “We must reflect on our failures and do our utmost to bring back the highly talented youngsters for the prosperity of our country”, he emphasised.

Mr Chautala said his government had opened an engineering and a medical college with the latest infrastructure for the benefit of the people of this region.

He lauded the courage of Punjabis in particular and the people of Punjab and Haryana who had withstood several hardships and emerged victorious with their vigour and strength.

Mr Chautala said the Government of Punjab and Haryana would work together for better utilisation of the existing resources and a stronger nation.

Earlier Mr Tarlochan Singh, Chairman, Minority Commission, said the Devi Lal family had played a great role in the days of crisis in Punjab and his family.

Mr Balbir Singh Maini, Minister for Higher Education, Punjab, presenting a vote of thanks, commended the achievements of Guru Nanak Dev University in various fields. He thanked Mr Chautala on behalf of the Punjab Government for presiding over the 31st Foundation Day function of the university.

Dr K.P. Aggarwal, Secretary-General, Crime Prevention Society, Lucknow (UP), speaking on “Sri Guru Granth Sahib and spiritualism” said the “bani” of the holy Granth was vibrant, inspiring, enthusing and had a universal appeal. It provided answers to various problems faced by man in his daily life.

He advised the youth to shun drugs. He exhorted the people to create a congenial atmosphere in their homes so that their children became aware of their culture and religious traditions and became conscientious humanbeings.

Dr Aggarwal said modern development was not development in the real sense of the term because the common man was chasing material objects. He said this material pursuit would spell doom for him.

Dr J.S. Neki, eminent Sikh scholar and former Director, PGI, in his lecture on “Uniqueness of Sri Guru Granth Sahib” said the uniqueness of Sri Guru Granth Sahib was that it carried the “bani” not of one but several sages.

Dr (Ms) S.K. Jolly, Principal, Shyama Prasad Mukherji College for Women, New Delhi, in her discourse on “Sri Guru Granth Sahib source of national integration” said it was time that the message of the Guru was carried to distant lands. She said the holy Granth should be published in various languages.

Enumerating the achievements of Guru Nanak Dev University, Dr H.S. Soch, Vice-Chancellor said the university, which was established 31 years ago after the name of the great apostle of peace, had an eventful history. To fulfil its statutory objectives, Dr Soch said the university had made giant strides in the field of education and was today known among the premier universities of India.

Mr Chautala inaugurated Bebe Nanka Girls Hostel (Block-II) costing Rs 1.50 lakh.

Mr Tarlochan Singh, Chairman, Minorities Commission, inaugurated an exhibition of books, rare manuscripts, portraits and photographs showing the development of the university organised by Bhai Gurdas Library in collaboration with the Departments of Press and Publications and Public Relations.

The College Development Council held an inter-college Punjabi art competition-cum-exhibition at Sangat Hall of Guru Nanak Bhavan in which students from different colleges participated.

Trophies were awarded to the first three winners.

Three new publications — “Gurbani Tat Sagar” (volume IV) edited by Santa Singh Tatley of Canada, “Guru Gobind Singh and creation of Khalsa” edited by Dr Madanjit Kaur, Chairperson, Guru Gobind Singh Chair, and ‘Kabir Bani: Path Te Parsang’ edited by Dr Sewa Singh — were released by Mr Chautala on the occasion.

Families of Kargil martyrs honoured
From Our Correspondent

TARN TARAN, Nov 24 — Twentytwo families of Kargil martyrs were honoured today at a function organised here by the local Parents Association. Mr Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, Minister for Cooperation, Punjab, was the chief guest and Dr Baldev Raj Chawla, Minister Health and Family Welfare, Punjab, was the guest of honour.

Mr Brahmpura and Dr Chawla, speaking on the occasion, appreciated the services of the Army jawans who had sacrificed their lives for the nation. Families of martyrs were given siropas and mementos.

Mr Alwinder Pal Singh Pakhoke, Chairman, Punjab State Agriculture Development Bank, the SDM, Mr Gurinder Pal Singh Sahota and others were present on the occasion.

Dr Kashmir Singh Sohal, president of the Parents Association, thanked the guests. Both ministers gave Rs 21,000 each to the association from their discretionary fund.

A shelter shed on the local Amritsar bypass too was unveiled on the occasion, constructed in the memory of Kargil martyrs.

Gynaecologist’s arrest demanded
Tribune News Service

SANGRUR, Nov 24 — Ms Jagdish Kaur, mother-in-law of the deceased Sukhwinder Kaur (26) who died after giving birth to a stillborn baby on Tuesday night at the local Civil Hospital and Ms Surinder Kaur, president of the local Trinjhan Club and SAD leader, have demanded the immediate arrest of Dr Pratibha Bansal, gynaecologist in the hospital, for allegedly causing death by negligence.

The police registered a case under Section 304-A of the IPC against Dr Bansal on the complaint of mother-in-law of the deceased. Sukhwinder Kaur was admitted to the hospital on Tuesday morning.

Talking to mediapersons at the PWD Rest House here today Jagdish Kaur and Surinder Kaur warned the police that in case it failed to arrest the gynaecologist, activists of various women organisations would launch and agitation.

Ambala-Ferozepore train demanded
From Our Correspondent

FARIDKOT, Nov 24 — Dr J.S. Gujral, Vice-Chancellor, Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, in a press note released here yesterday, stressed the railway authorities to restart a direct train between Ambala and Ferozepore via Faridkot keeping in view the importance of this historic and educational town.

In separate letters written to the Union Railway Ministry and General Manager, Northern Railway, he said the town had many renowned educational institutions like Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital, Dashmesh Dental and Institute of Sciences and Adesh Engineering College in which more than 1,000 students from different stations were studying who had to face great hardships to reach the colleges. The establishment of a university here had made the issue more significant following the affiliation of over 30 dental, medical, ayurvedic and homeopathic colleges with it.

Army jawan cremated with honours

HOSHIARPUR, Nov 24 (UNI) — Sukhjit Singh (20) of 17 Sikh Regiment, who died in firing by Pakistani soldiers in Noushehra sector of Jammu and Kashmir on the intervening night of November 21-22, was yesterday cremated at his native Lalewal village with full military honours.

Army buglers sounded the last post at Karnail Singh lit the pyre of his only son who had joined the Army just about two years ago.

Sukhjit Singh had resumed duty on November 18 after spending leave at home, his family said.

Colonel N.K. Khanna joined others in paying floral tributes to the brave soldier who died fighting Pakistanis.

Liquor sold despite ban
From Our Correspondent

BATHINDA, Nov 24 — The National Consumer Awareness Group (NCAG) has urged the Excise and Taxation Department of Punjab to take necessary action against those selling liquor within the municipal limits of Muktsar, in violation of rules.

In a letter to Mr Tikshan Sood, Minister Excise and Taxation, Mr Sham Lal Goyal, district president, NCAG, said although the Punjab Government had announced that there would be no liquor vends within the municipal limits of the holy city, liquor was being sold within municipal limits.

He said the Excise Department was “ignoring” the rules by not mentioning the necessary information on liquor bottles. 

Improvement Trust chief’s denial
From Our Correspondent

AMRITSAR, Nov 24 — Reacting to a news report published in The Tribune on November 23 — “trust chief-shop owner quarrel”, Mr Bakshi Ram Arora, Chairman, Improvement Trust, said in a statement that he was not present at the site and hence no hot words were exchanged. He further said that the allottee, Mr Surjit, had failed to pay the due amount of approximately Rs 45 lakh and hence the trust had resumed the shop. The trust, thus being the owner of shop, had already moved to take possession of the shop by filing an eviction case.

However, Mr Surjit Singh, owner of the chicken shop, in written statement said that the trust chairman was present at the site on that day (November 22).

Demand to remove anomaly in scales
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 24 — A number of engineers have urged the Punjab Government to remove the anomaly in their pay scales with regard to time-scale promotions. The engineers said that while some of their colleagues had already been given time-scale promotions by the General Manager of the Ranjit Sagar Dam, others serving in the canal, drainage and lining wings had been left out. They said all the remaining engineers should also be given such promotions.

Kainth’s appeal to Dalit leaders
From Our Correspondent

PHILLAUR, Nov 24 — Bahujan Samaj Morcha BSM National President Satnam Singh Kainth has appealed to all Dalit leaders to come together under the banner of the BSM to safeguard Dalits’ interests. Addressing three different morcha rallies at Phillaur, Virk and Dosanjh Kalan today, Mr Kainth said the BSM would continue its struggle against atrocities on Dalits.

ADMINISTRATION

Octroi hike withdrawn
From Our Correspondent

JALANDHAR, Nov 24 — The local cloth merchants heaved a sigh of relief as the state government issued a revised notification withdrawing the recently imposed hike in the octroi rates on clothes.

Mr Suresh Sehgal, Mayor, Municipal Corporation, while talking to this correspondent said the local bodies department had issued a notification in this regard that was received by the cloth merchants late yesterday evening.

The state government has hiked the octroi rates on clothes by 200 times on November 15, which led to the large-scale demonstrations and bandhs by the merchants of the city.

In order to intensify their agitation the merchants had stopped taking deliveries of their consignments which caused a daily loss of Rs 25 lakh to the civic body.

CRIME

2 dowry cases registered
From Our Correspondent

GARHSHANKAR, Nov 24 — The police has registered two dowry related cases. Shanker Singh of Baddon village had lodged a complaint with the Mahilpur police that his daughter Jasbir Kaur was being mentally tortured by her husband Satpal and members of his family. They were demanding more dowry, he alleged. She was married a year and a half ago at Bhure Jattan village. Immediately after the marriage her in-laws started torturing her. A case under Section 498-A and 506 has been registered and the police has started investigations against Satpal, his father Ram Parkash, mother Piari and brother Dalbir Kumar.

On a complaint lodged by Menu, another case of dowry demand, torturing and beating under Section 498-A and 323 has been registered against Menu’s husband Satish Kumar, his father Pritam Dass, brother Ashwani Kumar of Shekhowal village and Manjit Kaur, Baksho Devi and Dev Raj Bhatia of Chandigarh. Menu was married four and a half years ago.

According to the police, a local women welfare advisory committee had tried to bring about a compromise between two parties in these dowry related cases and the cases were registered only when it failed to bring about a compromise.

Case registered against rice millers
Tribune News Service

FEROZEPORE, Nov 24 — A case has been registered against two rice millers, Surinder Kamboj and Sudhir Kamboj for allegedly threatening a District Manager of the Punjab Warehousing Corporation at Jalalabad near here, on November 21.

The duo have been booked at Jalalabad Sadar police station for obstructing Mr S.K. Sharma, District Manager, from performing his duty and intimidating him.

No arrest has been made so far, as the case was registered today morning, according to Mr Manvinder Singh, DSP (Jalalabad). This follows an inquiry into the complaint lodged by Mr Sharma, who had accused Surinder and Sudhir of threatening him against seizing the paddy stocked in their mill.

The paddy stock was arranged by the two partners to cover up the misappropriation of a paddy worth over Rs 3 crore allotted to them for milling by the corporation last year. Mr Sharma had visited their mill to confiscate the paddy on specific directions from the department.

Mr Sharma had approached the DIG (Ferozepore range) for legal action against the two partners. Subsequently, the DSP (Jalalabad) carried out an inquiry into the matter, following which a case had been registered at Sadar police station.

Child among three killed in mishap
From Our Correspondent

NANGAL, Nov 24 — Three persons, including a child, were killed in a head-on collision between the scooter on which they were travelling and a Punjab Roadways bus coming from the opposite direction.

Jagtar Singh, Balbir Kaur, a girl child and Balwant Kaur, all residents of Jandiala village under police station Noormahal were coming to Nangal on scooter. Jagtar Singh tried to overtake a truck near the MP Kothi area when a Punjab Roadway bus (PB-12A - 8423) rammed into the scooter. While Balbir Kaur and Balwant Kaur died on the spot, Jagtar Singh succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.

The local police has registered a case against the bus driver, Mohinder Singh.

Jeweller robbed
From Our Correspondent

NAWANSHAHR, Nov 24 — Two unidentified persons aged 40 and 22 reportedly robbed the local Ujagar Mall Jewellers yesterday of six sets of gold ornaments.

They came to the shop in a grey Maruti (Zen) and asked the owner to show them gold sets. They requested a phone call “home to consult womenfolk”.

Then they asked the owner to allow one of them to take the sets home to be shown to the women. The owner agreed.

After some time the phone rang and the second man also left.

The two did not return.

Verdict given in 23 petty crime cases
From Our Correspondent

ROPAR, Nov 24 — Twenty three persons booked on petty charges have been given justice through Lok Adalats held in the jails of the district. This information was given by the District and Sessions Judge, Ropar, Mr Maghar Kahan, head of the District Legal Service Authority to this correspondent.

He said this scheme has been started at behest of the National Legal Services Authority. Under this scheme social workers and the prominent citizens of the areas are sent to jails to persuade the suspects to admit to their crime. If the suspects admit their crimes they are quickly given lenient punishment.

3 thieves held
From Our Correspondent

KAPURTHALA, Nov 24 — The district police claims to have busted an inter-state gang of thieves with the arrest of three members of this gang.

In a press note issued here yesterday, Mr Iqbal Singh, SSP, said in all there were six members of this gang. The arrested have been identified as Roshan Lal of Sultanpur Lodhi, Sukhdev Raj of Kapurthala town and Ashwani Kumar of Kapurthala town.