Will Talwandi restore confidence of Sikhs?
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, Dec 5 — Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi, who has been appointed the SGPC President, will have to face big challenges during his tenure to win over the confidence of the Sikh masses.

There were many instances when the Sikh “maryada” was violated by those who were at the helm of the affairs. The prestige of Akal Takht was denigrated during the past two years and the ruling party was instrumental in getting those decisions made by the Sikh high priests which suited them. The jathedars of Akal Takht, including Bhai Ranjit Singh and Giani Puran Singh, were sacked on one or the other pretext.

During the past two years many hukamnamas (edicts) issued by Akal Takht had become a matter of debate. So much so that the controversial hukamnama issued by the then Jathedar of Akal Takht wherein Bibi Jagir Kaur was “excommunicated” from the Panth was not accepted by the SGPC chief. Though the political affairs committee of SAD had directed Bibi Jagir Kaur to appear before Akal Takht, yet she got the “siropa” from Giani Bhagwan Singh, Head Granthi, Akal Takht, without appearing before the takht. After taking over as Jathedar, Akal Takht, Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti had scrapped all controversial hukamnamas of Giani Puran Singh, including the one which had excommunicated Bibi Jagir Kaur from the Sikh Panth.

Mr Talwandi has been appointed president when issues regarding ‘Dasam Granth’ and Nanakshahi calendar were still pending. No final decision has been taken on these issues so far.

Another important issue before the SGPC is how to tackle the RSS-sponsored propaganda, which has distorted the Sikh history. The SGPC has not taken any decision on this as SAD has political alliance with BJP.

However, Mr Manjit Singh Calcutta, former Akali minister, said though Mr Talwandi was completely under the influence of Mr Parkash Singh Badal, yet he (Mr Talwandi) would not take any decision, which would be against the tenets of Sikhism. He said Mr Talwandi was “taksali” (traditional Akali) leader and would undo the “mistakes” committed during the time of Bibi Jagir Kaur.

Mr Talwandi will have to find an honourable ‘way out’ on the issue of the formation of the Pakistan Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. Though the SGPC had stopped sending jathas to Pakistan, yet many organisations started sending pilgrims to pay obeisance at the Sikh shrines in Pakistan. The US Sikhs have also formed the American Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, which may prove a challenge to the SGPC.

Train mishap toll rises to 44
Tribune News Service

PATIALA, Dec 5 — The death toll in the Jeewanpura train tragedy has risen to 44 with one person succumbing to his injuries in Government Rajindra Hospital here last night.

Achhe Lal , a resident of Gazipur , Uttar Pradesh , succumbed to head injuries. Right now there are only nine victims of the accident in the hospital. The hospital authorities today referred Mithelesh , who is in a serious condition, to the PGI in Chandigarh .

Deputy Commissioner Jasbir Singh Bir said while 15 bodies had been identified and handed over to their relatives yesterday, 15 more bodies had been identified and given to their relatives today .

Those identified today are — Radhey Lal of Rae Bareli (UP), Tej Narain Singh of Bhojpura (Bihar), Suraj Pal of Rae Bareli (UP), Rajinder of Jind (Haryana), Ram Parsad of Rae Bareli (UP), Subodh Kumar Suman of Khargarhia (UP), Gurmukh Singh of Amritsar, Jagannath of Vaishali (Bihar), Ram Niwas of Pratapgarh (UP), Sanjay Kumar Jharr of Madhuban (Bihar), Santosh Kumar of Bhojpur (Bihar), Sunil Kumar of Lajwara (Bihar), Vijay Kumar of Vasihali (Bihar) and one couple Gayatri Devi and Tirloki Nath Singh of Bhojpur .

The Deputy Commissioner said following coordination with the Fatehgarh Sahib authorities , an executive magistrate of Fatehgarh Sahib and village chowkidar of Jeewanpura had been deputed at the control room of Government Medical College so that death certificates could be handed over to their relatives on the spot. Yesterday some relatives had to leave without the death certificate as the Patiala authorities said they could not issue them for the incident had occurred in Fatehgarh Sahib district .

Mr Bir said the Patiala civil surgeon had also been entrusted with the responsibility of sending the by certificates by post to those who had taken the bodies to their native places. He said the district administration had made arrangements for the stay of the relatives of the deceased at the medical college and at Jagdish, Amar and Chiranji ashrams. He said arrangements had also been made to send the bodies by special trucks to the nearest railway station.

Detraining at Ambala saved them
Tribune News Service

PATIALA, Dec 5 — One railway station made all the difference between life and death for 10 students of Bihar, who were travelling in the ill-fated Howrah Express to appear in the banking services recruitment examination being held at various centres in Punjab and Haryana.

The 10, who wanted to get down at Ludhiana as they were to appear at an examination centre there , met their death when the Howrah Express collided with the derailed wagons of a goods train at Jeewanpura village in Fatehgarh Sahib district on December 2.

Many other students of Bihar, who were travelling in the train at the time of incident, were also injured in the collision and could not take their examinations. Hundred other students, who had also come from Bihar to take the same exam, disembarked at Ambala and were thus saved.

With the death of the students , most of whom belong to poor and middle class families, the dreams of many a household have turned sour. Rohit Kumar and Sanjeev Kumar Singh, who had come to take the body of Sunil Kumar Singh, of Khaira in Jamui district of Bihar, said with the death of Sanjeev his old parents had lost a potential bread winner, who could have provided succour to them in their old age.

Rohit Kumar said Sanjeev (25), who was doing odd jobs near his home, had boarded the train to reach Ludhiana where he was to appear in the banking exam at the S A N Jain School at the Daresi grounds. He said Sanjeev had applied for the posts of clerk and typist in the banking examination. The relatives of Sanjeev would be taking back the body by train as his parents had so desired.

Other parents of young students are inconsolable following the tragedy which hit them. The relatives of Pankaj Sharma even requested Union Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee to allow them to take the body by air to Patna as his mother was in a serious condition after coming to know of the death of her son. The district authorities subsequently arranged a vehicle for them to go to the airport in Delhi.

Assistant Commissioner, Grievances, T. P. S. Phoolka said it was most harrowing for the relatives to convey the news of the demise of their children to their parents . He said some relatives were still trying to hide the fact from the parents of the students. He said there was an instance when a relative continued to hide the fact even when the mother of a student, killed in the mishap, kept on insisting that she felt her son was no more.

The control room was able to convey the news of the death of the students to their near and dear ones as most of them were carrying documents, which would have allowed them entry into the examination centres. The authorities here are, however, facing problems in case of some bodies, which continue to remain unidentified. Mr Phoolka said the photographs of such students were being displayed at all important railway stations in Bihar.

Meanwhile, the authorities said the bodies of students which had been identified were Pankaj Sharma, Sunil Kumar Singh, Naveen Kumar, Pankaj Kumar, Jagannath, Sunil Kumar, Vijay Kumar, Sanjay Kumar, and Santosh Kumar, all of Bihar and Suraj Pal, of Rai Bareilly.

The authorities said all were between the age of 21 to 26. 

Students extend their helping hand
Tribune News Service

PATIALA, Dec 5 — They worked behind the scenes. They have been at the job for three days. They may have to work for some more days. They are not expecting any reward.

These are the first-year students of the MBBS course of Government Medical College who are taking care of the inquiry section of the control room set up at the college as well as looking after the victims of the train mishap.

The students have been doing this service for the past three days despite the need to prepare for their examinations which are round the corner. While the girls have been answering inquiries and giving solace to the relatives of the victims, the boys have handled the bodies entirely from physically unloading them, to embalming them and even loading them into trucks for onward dispatch to the nearest railway station.

Talking to TNS, one of the students, Mohit Bambra, said when they came to know about the tragedy and the fact that the deceased would be brought to the college they volunteered for the service. They said it was a humanitarian gesture as the magnitude of the tragedy was large and persons with medical background were needed to handle the deceased.

Students said while volunteering for the work they knew that the preparations for their examinations might suffer but the need to extend help at this juncture overrode all other aspects.

"We unloaded the bodies," said Akshay following that all the wounds in the body were cleaned to ensure there was no further deterioration in their condition. He said following this formalin fluid was injected into the bodies and they were embalmed by the students as many of the relatives wanted to take them to their native places and could not have done so otherwise.

The students said following this when the relatives of the deceased came, the students carried out the paper work to conduct the post-mortem examination. They said following the post-mortem, the bodies were again cleaned and even loaded back into waiting trucks by the students. They said three teams had been made for this work with each team of 15 students working in an eight-hour shift.

The work of the students has also been appreciated by the Principal, Dr Ravinder Singh.

Harpreet case: more remand for accused

PATIALA, Dec 5 (PTI) — A local court today extended the remand of six of the seven accused in the case of the mysterious death of Harpreet Kaur, daughter of former President of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandak Committee Jagir Kaur till December 19.

Jagir Kaur is the lone accused named in the FIR not to have been arrested as she had got bail from the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Rice miller case: probe ordered
From Gurpreet Singh
Tribune News Service

FEROZEPORE, Dec 5 — Amidst reports of dropping of charges under the Arms Act against a rice miller of Jalalabad by the local cops, the Ferozepore Range DIG, Mr Hardeep Singh Dhillon, has ordered a probe by the Moga Superintendent of Police (Detective) into the matter.

Sources revealed that the DIG has shot off a demi-official letter to the SP(D), Moga, directing him to investigate the crime that allegedly took place in Jalalabad, near here, on November 21. A case was registered under various Sections of the Indian Penal Code and Arms Act against Surinder Kamboj, a rice miller for threatening Mr S.K. Sharma, the District Manager, of the Punjab State Warehousing Corporation (PSWC).

However, following reports that the district police has dropped charges under the Arms Act against Kamboj, the DIG has ordered fresh investigation by the police from outside Ferozepore. This has also fuelled speculation that the local police has allegedly tried to help Kamboj, who wields political influence in the district. Kamboj was booked for intimidating a public servant on duty,

Mr Sharma invited the wrath of Kamboj when he visited the latter’s mill for shifting a fresh stock of paddy he had arranged from the open market.

Besides, the security cover provided to Kamboj has also sparked a controversy. It is learnt that despite the fact that a case was earlier registered against Kamboj for allegedly slapping a clerk of the Jalalabad SDM, he continues to move around with two constables and one home guard provided by the local police. The DIG has also sought a report on the guards deployed with the accused from the district police chief.

The sources in the Police Department revealed that two constables — Harbans Singh and Surinder Kumar — and one home guard continue to provide security cover to Kamboj and were allegedly present when he threatened Mr Sharma.

However, the local police is unable to justify provision of a security cover to Kamboj. Sources revealed that the security is yet to be withdrawn, even though he has now been booked for obstructing as public servant from discharging his duty.

Wildlife staff to get weapons
Tribune News Service

HARIKE (Ferozepore), Dec 5 — To meet the potential threat from poachers and encroachers, the state Wildlife Department will procure weapons from the Punjab Police Armoury to equip its field staff in Harike bird sanctuary.

Highly placed sources in the Punjab Wildlife Department revealed that the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF) will shortly release funds for the purchase of weapons seized by the Punjab police from criminals and militants.

While six weapons are likely to be provided to the staff at Harike sanctuary alone, the Punjab Wildlife Department has decided to provide 30 guns to its field staff throughout the state.

At least one pistol and five guns are to be provided to the local staff for self-defence in view of threats from the encroachers and hunters. The threat perception to the unarmed wildlife staff has increased ever since six encroachers were challaned for cultivating the land inside the sanctuary. The staff will also be provided with special uniforms to ensure their impact within the sanctuary.

Confirming the move, the Punjab Wildlife Conservator, Mr R.K. Luna, told TNS that the MOEF has set aside Rs 3 lakh for the purchase of weapons and the funds would be released shortly.

This follows a proposal sent to the MOEF by the state Wildlife Department. The scheme was chalked out on the MOEF request, according to Mr Luna.

The weapons were necessitated in the light of frequent threats to the wildlife officials from armed hunters and encroachers. Even the Divisional Forest Officer, Mr Jagdeep Singh, admitted that they had been receiving threats from trespassers and bootleggers caught inside the sanctuary.

Likewise, the forest guards are also manning the reserved areas without weapons. Successive reports of assault on forest officials from Garhshankar, Dharamkot, Jalalabad, Moga and Patiala have annoyed the members of the Punjab Non-Gazetted Forest Officers’ Union, who have threatened to hold a demonstration in Chandigarh if the forest guards were not provided with arms.

The union’s Press Secretary, Mr Mohinder Singh, lamented that frequent attacks on defenceless forest guards had demoralised the field staff.

Minority status likely for Kashmiri Hindus
From Vimal Sumbly
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Dec 5 — The Hindus in Jammu and Kashmir are likely to get minority status. The case has been recommended by the National Minorities Commission to the Union Government and a formal announcement is likely to be made soon. The commission has already nominated Mr V K Dhar, a former bureaucrat and a Kashmiri Hindu, as one of its members.

This was stated by the Vice-Chairman of the National Minorities Commission, Mr Tarlochan Singh, in an interview with TNS here today. However, this privilege would not be extended to the Hindus, who are in a minority in other states like Punjab or Kerala.

He clarified that the case of Kashmiri Hindus was distinct in nature as they had been suffering from repression. He pointed out that the Kashmiri Hindus had been forced to leave. Their homeland and were living like refugees in their own country, and some constitutional safeguards needed to be provided to them.

Mr Tarlochan Singh said the proposal might not face any hurdles as the state government had also been taken into confidence on the subject. He hoped that this would improve the plight of Kashmiri Hindus to a great extent and might give them a voice in the commission. He pointed out that Kashmiri Hindus were faced with a peculiar situation as normally they were being counted with the majority, while for all practical purpose they were in a minority.

Referring to their (Kashmiri Hindus) resettlement back in the valley, he said there was a proposal to set up special security zones in different areas. However, he ruled out one particular zone in the valley, lest it may amount to setting up a separate homeland, as demanded by the Kashmiri Hindus. He added that the Kashmiri Hindus were keen to return to their homes but the only concern was that of their security, for which the idea of security zones was mooted.

The commission Vice-Chairman further said a proposal had been submitted to the Union Government for including chapters on the minorities like Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists and Parsis in the school curriculum so that the country knows about their history.

Mr Tarlochan Singh stated that the bicentenary celebrations of the coronation of Maharaja Ranjit Singh would be held at the national level from next year. He said all formalities had been finalised in this regard. He revealed that a portrait of Maharaja Ranjit Singh would also be installed in the central hall of Parliament. 

COMMUNITY

Khalsa memorial may not meet deadline
From Varinder Walia
Tribune News Service

ANANDPUR SAHIB: The Khalsa heritage memorial, being constructed at a cost of Rs 150 crore, is the only tercentenary project where work is in progress. However, the project may not meet the deadline of August 2002 as work is being done in a phased manner.

It was the prestigious Khalsa heritage memorial on the basis of which the Punjab Chief Minister had announced that he would make the holy city of Anandpur Sahib an “ajooba”. To complete the project, organisers have sought liberal donations from the Sikh sangat. Such messages are written at the site of the model of the project. This has given an impression that lack of finances may hamper the progress on the memorial.

The design of the heritage project has been made by world-famous designer, Moshe Safdie of Boston (USA). Mr Piara Singh Bhupal, nodal officer, Anandpur Sahib Development Authority, has claimed that after its completion, the project would be “unparalleled” in the world. “It will be unique by all standards”, he said.

Work on the project was stopped in April this year. However, after the allocation of more funds, the work was restarted. The heritage complex will be located on a plateau formed by a series of sand cliff promontories, facing a small ravine. It will have a museum, a library, exhibition galleries and a 400-seat auditorium.

This complex will be connected to the permanent exhibition building on the eastern side by a bridge that spans the ravine. It will contain two levels of gallery spaces that will house a narrative exhibition of the Sikhs, a special memorial exhibit gallery, a gift shop and curatorial and back-of-house spaces. A public restaurant will be located midway between the two clusters along the connecting bridge. The floor of the ravine will have a series of small dams that will create cascading reflecting pools. The ravine will form the centrepiece of the complex and will be surrounded by arcades, outdoor exhibit areas, picnic ground and parks.

The Nishan-e-Khalsa monument is a separate, yet complementary component of the complex. The centrepiece of this monument is a steel dagger, 60 metres high that will rise from a pentagon-shaped base. The dagger will reflect light. Computer-controlled lighting and laser and fibre optics will be used during events.

These techniques will be juxtaposed with the traditional display of holy relics, historical artefacts and other art objects of Sikh history to make the complex a truly first Sikh museum.

The project is likely to be completed by August 31, 2002.

NGO’s notice to Local Bodies Dept
Tribune News Service

MUKTSAR, Dec 5 — Even as this holy city has become the district headquarters, residents have been crying for basic amenities.

They have been living in an unhealthy environment and facilities like potable water, sewerage, street-light and roads are inadequate.

The National Consumer Awareness Group (NCAG), an NGO, has issued a legal notice to the Secretary, Local Bodies, Punjab, the Deputy Commissioner, the executive officer, municipal council and the examiner, Local Bodies, for improving street lighting.

Mr Sham Lal Goyal, president of the local unit of the NCAG, alleged that the municipal council has been charging taxes from the residents but it had failed to install enough streetlights and most of them were not functioning.

He said the NCAG would go to court if the authorities failed to improve the condition of street-lights within two months from the date of receipt of the notice.

The residents complained that 30 per cent of the residential area in the city was yet to get potable water and sewerage facilities.

Mr Sukhjinder Singh Goyal, Executive Officer, said before Maghi Mela in January, the streetlights would be made functional and their maintenance would be handed over to a contractor. A resolution to this effect had been passed by the municipal council on December 2. He explained that some of the streetlights went out of order as underground cables were cut when sewers were laid down.

Mr Jaswinder Singh, Executive Engineer, when contacted said sewers and water pipes could not be laid down in the past few months due to a shortage of funds.

Police interaction course begins
From Our Correspondent

PHAGWARA, Dec 5 — A national level Vertical Interaction Course began at Punjab Police Academy, Phillaur, yesterday. The theme of the interaction course is “Police as an instrument of social change. Senior police officers from various states and central police organisations will participate in the six-day course.

Mr Justice Jawahar Lal Gupta of Punjab and Haryana High Court delivered the inaugural address. He said the police played an important role in the criminal justice delivery system. It was responsible for the investigation of cases. He said the man in uniform is the symbol of state authority.

Mr A.A. Siddiqui, Director of the Punjab Police Academy highlighted the role of police in the fast-changing social scenario. Mr Chander Shekher, IG, Police and Ms Anita Punj, Deputy Director and course co-ordinator also spoke on the occasion.

JEs and AAEs threaten strike
From Our Correspondent

PATIALA, Dec 5 — The recently released pay structure has generated resentment among Junior Engineers and Additional Assistant Engineers due to the terms of category-wise pay scale.

This pay structure has disturbed inter-cadre parity among Section Heads like the Headclerk, divisional superintendent, accountants, Divisional Headdraftsman and junior engineers. Time-bound promotional scales have also not been settled till date. The Council of Junior Engineers considers this pay structure as unscientific, because the technical nature of duties and working hours, (95 hours per week), as compared to the grand 35 hours of normal routines hours have not been given due consideration.

Further, the principally agreed upon demands as on June 29, 2000, supplemented by various meetings as recent as the dated November 9, 2000, have not been implemented, so far.

Recently the PSEB management abolished about 300 posts of Junior Engineers. The above situation has compelled the Council to resort to an agitation i.e. a complete boycott of stores and metering labs from December 8 to 11, 2000. 

Likhi-Ojha feud: witness alleges being tricked
From Our Correspondent

BARNALA, Dec 5 — The ongoing feud between Mr K.L. Likhi, Inspector-General of the Punjab Armed Police, Jalandhar, and Mr Sandeep Ojha, son of Mr B.S. Ojha, former Chief Secretary, Haryana, took a startling turn here yesterday when Shinder Pal, through a fresh affidavit filed here, denied the version in his affidavit, allegedly prepared at Delhi at the instance of Mr Ojha.

The fresh affidavit of Shinder Pal maintains that he did not ever deal with Mr Likhi for the purchase of a Contessa (CHC-0009). Shinder Pal said that he dealt directly with Mr Ojha from whom he bought this car in Chandigarh.

Shinder Pal alleged that during his efforts to secure his registration certificate, he had unnecessarily been dragged in the legal tussle between the Likhi and Ojha families.

Following his November 27 visit, along with his two friends — Ranjit Singh and Randhir Singh — to Mr Ojha’s Delhi residence, he had been tricked into becoming a witness in court against Ojha’s father-in-law, Mr Likhi, Shinder Pal alleged.

‘That is why Sandeep Ojha tactfully duped and foxed me to sign plain papers and affidavit, initially through confidence-winning gestures and then through threats. Ojha at one time detained my two friends in a room of his Delhi residence, threatening us with dire consequences if I did not sign papers and documents, as per the diktats of Sandeep Ojha,’ Shinder Pal alleged.

Memorial to Jaitu Morcha martyrs
From Our Correspondent

FARIDKOT, Dec 5 — The Punjab Government will construct a memorial to those Sikh martyrs who laid down their lives during the Jaitu Morcha while demonstrating peacefully against the atrocities committed by the English forces against them on February 20, 1924 on the outskirts of Jaitu.

The management of Gurdwara Tibbi Sahib had offered six acre land free of cost in this regard. A team of senior architects including Mr K.G. Nanchahal and Mrs Saroj from Chandigarh visited the site yesterday to give the final touch to the scheme. The project include a museum, a library and a restaurant.

According to Mr A.Venu Prasad, Deputy Commissioner, the work on the project would start before the end of current financial year.

Vets’ deputation meets minister
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 5 — A deputation of the Punjab State Veterinary Officers Association here today met the Animal Husbandry Minister, Dr Rattan Singh Ajnala and the Financial Commissioner, Mr V.N. Ojha, in connection with its demands.

The association urged the minister to get all pending cases of pay fixation pertaining to the promotional scale after four, nine and 14 years of service cleared at the earliest. The association said all those veterinary officers against whom there was no adverse remark in the annual confidential reports should be given the promotional scale. The association said that 20 per cent of the pending cases related to the selection grade should also be cleared.

It demanded that only veterinary officers should be appointed to run veterinary hospitals and dispensaries. At many places, such hospitals were being run by unqualified staff, the association claimed.

The association also objected to the issuance of health certificates in the case of animals by unqualified staff. It demanded drawing and disbursing powers for district-level officers of the department.

The Punjab Governor, Lt-Gen J.F.R. Jacob (retd), will inaugurate the seminar and the Punjab Labour Minister, Mr Balramji Dass Tandon, will preside over it.

Train cancelled
From Our Correspondent

PHILLAUR, Dec 5 — The Northern Railway today cancelled New Delhi-bound Amritsar-New Delhi Superfast Express at its corresponding up-line train could not reach Amritsar yesterday.

Stating this, railway sources said here today that Mumbai-bound Dadar Express was running 14 hours behind schedule.

Engineers’ plea to CM on promotion
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 5 — Some retired and serving engineers of the Punjab Irrigation Department have urged the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, and the state irrigation Minister, Mr Janmeja Singh Sekhon, to give them 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, other serving in the canal, drainage and lining wings had been left out. They said the remaining engineers should also be given such promotions.

Police transfers, postings
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 5 — The Punjab Government today ordered the following postings and transfers in the Police Department.

Mr Bakshi Ram, Inspector-General of Police, Border Range, and Mr A.P. Pandey, Director, Vigilance Bureau, will swap places.

Mr Sanjeev Kalra, AIG, Welfare, will be the new Senior Superinten-dent of Police, Hoshiarpur, in place of Mr R.P. Mittal, who becomes Superintendent of Police, Intelligence, at Chandigarh.

ADMINISTRATION

Naib Tehsildar suspended
Tribune News Service

PATIALA, Dec 5 — A Naib Tehsildar, who was appointed in 1995 allegedly on the basis of forged educational qualification, has been suspended following an inquiry conducted into the case by the Divisional Commissioner, Mr R.N. Gupta.

An official release here today said Mr Nirmal Singh, Naib Tehsildar at Bassi Pathana, had been appointed on the basis of forged documents in respect of both his matriculation and graduation certificates. It said while the matriculation certificate had been obtained from Rajasthan, the forged graduation certificate had been obtained from Maharashtra.

The release said, besides this, the Naib Tehsildar had also not passed the Punjabi examination which was a mandatory requirement. It said during the period of suspension the headquarters of the Naib Tehsildar would be in the office of the Subdivisional Magistrate, Jagraon in Ludhiana district.

CRIME

6 arrested for narcotics smuggling
From Our Correspondent

BATHINDA, Dec 5 — The police has arrested six persons allegedly involved in the smuggling of narcotics and has recovered large quantity of narcotics from them.

Dr Jatinder Kumar Jain, SSP, said in a press note issued here today that four cases had been registered in this regard. He said Rajinder Singh and Baljinder Singh of Sirsa in Haryana had been arrested for carrying 120 kg of poppy husk. A case has been registered against them at Dayalpura police station.

In another incident, Pala Singh of Makha Khokhar village under Kalianwali police station has been arrested for possessing 10 kg of poppy husk. A case had been registered against him at Raman police station.

In yet another incident, Gorkha Singh of Gatwali village had been arrested with 10 kg of poppy husk. 

2 women poisoned, in-laws booked
From Our Correspondent

MALERKOTLA, Dec 5 — Two different cases of dowry deaths have been registered by the Malerkotla police. According to information, Mohammad Khalil of Maler Mohallah lodged a complaint today that his daughter Rukhsana was allegedly poisoned to death by her in-laws yesterday for not bringing more dowry.

He alleged that his daughter married Mohammad Rafique of Takhar Kalan village five years ago. Since then, her in-laws had been forcing her to bring more dowry.

The police handed over the body of his daughter to him after a post-mortem examination at the civil hospital. She was cremated at her native village.

The police has registered a case under Sections 304 B, 498 A and 34, IPC, against her mother-in-law Jaano, sister-in-law Rafiqan and husband who are reportedly absconding.

In another case, Nasaran (26) of Duggani Kalan village was also killed by her in-laws, according to Abdul Rashid, brother of the deceased. Nasaran married Roshan Din of Dahleej Kalan village three years back. Her in-laws had reportedly been forcing her to bring more dowry.

The complainant alleged that his sister was poisoned to death by her husband and her mother-in-law Sardaran on Sunday. The police has registered a case under Sections 304 B, 174 and 34, IPC, against Roshan Din and his mother.

Several social and religious organisations have demanded immediate arrest of the culprits. No arrest has been made so far.

Bank duped by officer
From Our Correspondent

JALANDHAR, Dec 5 — An officer of Punjab and Sind Bank has allegedly duped the bank of Rs 5 lakh by manipulating official records.

Mr Jaspal Singh, Zonal Manager, has admitted that the fraud came to their knowledge when the internal audit team found financial irregularities during their inspection at the Adda Hoshiarpur branch last week.

The Zonal Manager said that it would take some 10 to 15 days to figure out the exact amount since audit team was scrutinising the records.

After receiving the report of audit team, it would be forwarded to the personnel department of the bank for action against the guilty officer.

EDUCATION

Protest march by college teachers
Tribune News Service

JALANDHAR, Dec 5 — The Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union organised a protest march followed by a dharna at the district courts complex here yesterday in protest against the non-implementation of demands of private college teachers. Hundreds of teachers from several non-government colleges of Jalandhar and Kapurthala districts participated in the rally and dharna.

Prof Charanjit Chawla, General Secretary of the union, appealed the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, to intervene in the matter.

The union will observe a statewide bandh on January 18 and a state wide rally would be organised on the same day at Gidderbaha.