L U D H I A N A

Another case of child sodomy
LUDHIANA, Dec 30 — In a gruesome incident, a 9-year-old boy was kidnapped, sodomised and left to die old jail here last night allegedly by four persons. The accused also attempted to kill the boy by inflicting a deep cut on his right wrist after severely beating him, resulting in injuries on his nose and eyes.

• Were there two other children also?

Councillors demand restoration of vehicles to MC officials
Ludhiana, Dec 30 — In a significant move, the general house of the Municipal Corporation, in its meeting held during last week, unanimously resolved that the official vehicles, withdrawn from MC officials on orders of the state government during mid-October this year, be restored. The resolution has been sent to the department of Local Bodies, Punjab, for necessary action.

Surplus MC vehicles parked on the premises of a workshop near Haibowal Dairy Complex in Ludhiana. — Photo by Inderjit Verma

Police role condemned
LUDHIANA, Dec 30 — Mr Tarsem Singh Jodhan, ex-MLA, today alleged that the division no. 2 police has sent the body of a 10-year-old boy to Patiala without inquiring about missing children from other police stations.

Sales tax evasion by traders continues
LUDHIANA, Dec 30 — The joint raids by the CBI and Excise and Taxation Department officials on the local railway station recently, and the seizure of hosiery goods worth more than Rs 5 crore, appears to have had little impact in discouraging evasion of sales tax by a section of local hosiery manufacturers and traders. Some of the manufacturers and traders have allegedly resorted to tax evasion again in connivance with the railway staff and ST officials.

Ray of hope for cleft lip, palate patients
LUDHIANA, Dec 30 — Nearly 35,000 children are born with cleft lip and palate every year in India and then 25,000 are not treated due to lack of financial assistance. This was revealed by Mr Satish Kalra, the managing director of Smile Train in India, which has taken responsibility of helping children affected with cleft palate and lip.

• A miraculous escape for passengers
  
  

COMMUNITY

City to observe traffic safety week
Ludhiana, Dec 30 — The city will observe ‘Road Safety Week’ from January 1 to January 7 to focus on traffic conditions. A detailed programme has been chalked out with the involvement of the Transport Department, Punjab Roadways , PRTC, Education and Traffic Police, social clubs and other voluntary organisations. The District Traffic Regulatory Committee, in its meeting held here today under the chairmanship of Mr. S.K. Sandhu , Deputy Commissioner, gave final touches to the week-long programmes.

Making a dream come true
LUDHIANA, Dec 30 — Sonia, a blind girl of about 11 years, had been released after the endless efforts made by the Peoples’ Vigilance Committee, a non-government organisation, after about three years from a factory of football manufacturer at Jalandhar. She was forced to stitch footballs by her family members and an industrialist against her wishes. Now she is happily studying in class VI at the Vocational Rehabilitation Centre for Blind here.

Traders gherao BJP councillor
Ludhiana, Dec 30 — Apprehending disruption of business activity due to the construction work of an ambitious Rs 38 crore elevated road project in the city, traders of Chaura Bazar and Clock Tower markets today staged a dharna at Clock Tower Chowk and gheraoed a BJP councillor, Mr Sunil Mehra, for quite some time.

Increase in Net traffic makes access slow
LUDHIANA, Dec 30 — With millions of people around the world preferring Net over postal services to send New Year greetings, there seems to be a virtual Net traffic jam, making it extremely difficult for users to send e-cards.

W(h)ither telegraph?
LUDHIANA, Dec 30 — Telegram, which used to be a most sought after medium of conveying tragic and happy messages, has become a least-wanted option.

Dead rat found in tea pack
LUDHIANA, Dec 30 — Can you imagine that a dead rat can be found in the pack of reputed tea company? Mrs Beena Verma, a housewife residing in New Kundanpuri locality, Civil Lines, was shocked when she found a dead rat in a tea pack.

Tributes paid to Avtar Singh Grewal
LUDHIANA, Dec 30 — Glowing tributes were paid to Avtar Singh Grewal on his eighth death anniversary here today. A simple, solemn, but impressive function was held at his residence at Model Town to pay homage to the great philanthropist. As a mark of recognition of his services to the society, the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation named the road from Children Traffic Park to Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Model Town as ‘Sardar Avtar Singh Grewal Marg’.

Gosain gives ultimatum to police
LUDHIANA, Dec 30 — Mr Sat Pal Gosain MLA, today criticised an attack at the house of his political secretary, G. S. Nittu, here last Saturday and also decried police inaction in the case.

CRIME

Man arrested for wife’s murder
DORAHA, Dec 30 — A husband, who allegedly murdered his wife due to dowry obsession, has at last been put behind the bars.

Girl raped
LUDHIANA, Dec 30 — A young girl was allegedly raped by two persons near EWS colony here today. The police has booked two persons Jagdev Singh, alias Jagga and Vijay Kumar, alias Billu, on a complaint lodged by the woman.

Blind woman kept in illegal detention
DORAHA, Dec 30 — A case of keeping a blind woman in illegal detention with a motive of grabbing her land by a group of persons, has come to light.

CULTURE

Live demo of handicraft making by artisans
LUDHIANA, Dec 30 — Lacquered wooden furniture from Sankheda, floorspreads woven with camel and goat hair from Kutch, toran with beadwork for doorways, ethnic tribal jewellery, bangle boxes of guilded brass, terracotta creations from Botad and Kanjri villages of Gujarat, chowkies, boxes and table tops adorned with traditional marquery work of Surat and an array of other antique pieces that can add elegance to contemporary interiors are at display in the Gujarati and Haryanvi handicrafts exhibitions being organised separately at the Mall and Bhai Bala Chowk by the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India.

• Udit to perform in city
  
  

SPORT

Football tourney
LUDHIANA, Dec 30 — Football Club, Rurkan Kalan (Jalandhar), defeated Heera Club (PAU), 3-0 in the opening match of eighth Nirupjeet Kaur Gill Memorial Football Tournament. This tournament is organised by the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Sports and Cultural Club, Ludhiana.