L U D H I A N A

Witness faces threat in Jassi murder case
Ludhiana, June 4
The infamous murder case of an NRI girl, Jassi, allegedly murdered by more than five contract killers including a sub-inspector at the behest of her parents, is back in discussion as one of the key witnesses in the case is allegedly living a life in terror. Not only has he been receiving threats to change his statement, but is also allegedly being implicated in certain cases.

RJD workers beaten up during heated exchange
Ludhiana, June 4
A group of Rashtriya Janata Dal workers, led by Mr Rakesh Verma, Chairman, Beopar Cell and Mr Hira Lal Jha, President of the District (rural) unit of the party were beaten up by Bhartiya Janata Party and Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) workers, who were continuing the indefinite dharna against the City Mayor to protest against the lack of basic civic amenities in the outer wards.

An RJD activist being beaten up during a scuffle between Akali Dal-BJP and RJD activists in front of the MC office in Ludhiana on Monday. — Photo Inderjit Verma

PAU experts warn cotton growers against weedicide
Ludhiana, June 4
Cotton-growers of the region are facing problems as the newly-sprouted cotton plants are being damaged due to spraying of a weedicide. The problem is mostly faced by those farmers who have switched over from the cultivation of paddy to cotton.

Unhealthy plants pose threat Ludhiana, June 4 The local Horticulture Department is worried over the sale of ‘unhealthy’ fruit trees, which are being brought illegally into the city and sold to the farmers, thereby posing a threat to the health of other plants in the district. The illegal trade has come to light following the arrest of two such sellers by the city police recently with the help of two farmers.

Closure of industrial unit sought
Ludhiana, June 4
Residents of several localities like Kucha Parkash Puri, Gokal Road, Bagh Wali Gali, Kucha Nathi Ram and Bagh Khazanchian around Mandi Bagh Bute Shah are a frustrated lot. Even after several long drawn out battles on administrative and judicial fronts, they are yet to get any relief from unending disturbance, created by a pulveriser.

Probe ordered into registration of case
Ludhiana, June 4
The Punjab Government has directed the SSP, Ludhiana, to hold an enquiry into the registration of a case under Section 307 of the IPC against Mrs Rima Jain, a housewife, on the basis of a complaint filed by her sister-in-law the other day.

Sunflower seeds costlier
Khanna, June 4
The arrival of sunflower crop in Khanna grain market is low as compared to the last year. Its price is very high this year. Till today 4500 bags of 40 kg each have arrived, whereas during the last year 25004 quintal of sunflower had come to the market.

COMMUNITY

Cutthroat competition ruining social fibre
Ludhiana, June 4
The success of ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’ on the Star Plus channel made many other channels to start similar shows in their attempt to over take Star Plus. Zee TV made one such attempt through the launching of ‘Swal Das Crore Ka’ which flopped badly and the channel lost a lot of money in the process.

Counselling important at all stages in life
Ludhiana, June 4
In earlier ages when Manu laid down different tasks to be performed by people of different castes even then, counselling was given by gurus, elders and astrologers alike. In the case of Pandavas, for example, Guru Dronacharya made Arjun an archer, whereas Bheem and Yudhisthar were given different weapons to fight with. Dronacharya had seen their aptitude and decided the best weapons for them accordingly.

Dreams shattered, hopes belied
Ludhiana, June 4
“Yeh dag dag ujala, yeh shabh-guzida sahar woh intizar tha jiska, yeh woh sahar to nahin”. This famous couplet of Faiz Ahmad Faiz, probably describes best the predicament of people like Dewan Jagdish Chander, former MLA and general secretary of the All India Freedom Fighters’ Association. He is upset over Ms Jayalalitha having been sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, despite having been convicted in a court of law.

‘Withdraw notice of demolition’
Ludhiana, June 4
M/s Travels Star Hotel (India) has sought the withdrawal of the May 5 notice issued to it under the Works of Defence Act, 1903, alleging that the notice was “illegal, arbitrary, discriminatory and violative of various provisions of the Works of Defence Act and the same was liable to be withdrawn”.

Villagers stage dharna
Khanna, June 4
Hundreds of labourers, employees and villagers of Bhatian staged dharna in front of the SDM office. The dharna was staged in response to a call given by the Lok Sangarsh Committee, Khanna. The protesters demanded that the three youths and activist of the Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union arrested by the Khanna police on May 19, should be released immediately. 

Residents continue dharna
Ludhiana, June 4
Protesting against the construction of a road divider near the bus stand flyover, residents of the area continued their dharna for the third day claiming that it would cause a nuisance.

CRIME

3 accused of sodomy arrested
Ludhiana, June 4
Three persons accused of sodomising a 10-year-old boy five days ago were finally arrested by the Model Town police this evening.

BUSINESS

Engineering trade fair in Venezuela from July 18
Ludhiana, June 4
More than 150 engineering exporters are expected to participate in the engineering trade fair to be held in Venezuela from July 18-21 in Carcass. Out of the total participants around 100 are expected to be small scale exporters. The government would provide upto Rs 1.40 lakh assistance to each exporter to participate in this fair.

Making role models out of teachers
Ludhiana, June 4
A four-day workshop on ‘Empowerment of teachers in personality development and quality education’ concluded at Kundan Vidya Mandir, Civil Lines, here today.

Award for PAU Assistant Professor
Ludhiana, June 4
Dr Rajinder Kaur Kalra, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Extension Education, Punjab Agricultural University, has been conferred the Young Scientist Award in recognition of her outstanding work done in the field of Extension Education Research and field extension services.

COURTS

Consumer forum penalises bank
Ludhiana, June 4
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed the Oriental Bank of Commerce to pay Rs 26,667.67 to Mr Baldev Krishan, a resident of Harcharan Nagar, against a demand draft deposited him. The forum further directed the bank to pay interest at the rate of 12 per cent per annum from April 16, 2000, till actual payment alongwith Rs 500 as a cost of litigation.

Strike affects court functioning
Ludhiana, June 4
The normal functioning of the District Court was affected here on Monday by the strike called by the District Bar Association. The strike was to protest against the inaction of the police for not arresting the accused, who had allegedly attacked and injured a city advocate, Mr Harish Narang, few days back.

Malaria, cholera on the comeback?
Ludhiana, June 4
One migrant worker died of falsiparam malaria on May 24 in Guru Teg Bhadur Hospital, while two cases of cholera were reported from Mohan Dai Oswal Hospital, according to information available here today. Both the cases were reported from Moti Nagar.

Healing the community
Ludhiana, June 4
Community medicine, as the name suggests, is taking health intervention measures at different levels for the people of the community. It primarily deals with maternal and child health care, both ante-natal and post natal. The subject has become mandatory for every medical college. CMC Medical College has been active in the field of community medicine for the past 47 years.

Scribes more prone to heart diseases
Ludhiana, June 4
“Teachers, doctors and scribes were more risk prone to coronary artery diseases due to environmental changes, high-fat diet, change in lifestyles, obesity and stress”, Dr G.S. Wander, Chief Cardiologist, Hero DMC Heart Institute, expressed these views on the opening of ‘Well persons clinic’ here today.