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July 23, 2001, Chandigarh, India
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Robbers murder couple,
loot cash, jewellery Fatehgarh Sahib, July 22 A heart-rending scene was witnessed at the Cinema Road residence of Mr Devinder Sharma, alias Chinku (36) a social worker and a renowned photographer of the town, where he and his wife Sweety (30) were murdered. The bodies of both the husband and the wife were lying in a pool of blood having multiple injuries. Mr Sharma was murdered in his video mixing room, where he was working and his dead body was lying under the computer table and the dead body of his wife was lying outside the mixing room, where she must have come for the help of her husband. As nobody remained in the family to narrate the incident, the children told
The Tribune that early today morning when they woke up, they searched for their mummy and saw that she was lying in a pool of blood in the gallery. They immediately ran to the house of the neighbours and informed them. When the neighbours entered the house they found that both the husband and wife were dead and they informed the police. Mr H.S. Saran, SSP, told the Tribune that it was quite early to say, who was behind this murder and said that it looked to be the handiwork of some members of the Pardi gang, which is active in the state and the members of this gang were migrant labourers from Maharashtra. He said they must have struck late at night as Devinder was working in his computer cabin. He said that the scene at the murder site gave the impression that he must have scuffled with the assailants and his wife must have come to help her husband after listening to his cries where she was also murdered with sharp-edged weapons. He added that the gang members also broke open the Godrej almirah and looted cash and jewellery. He said they also took away the jewellery she was wearing. He said that the gang members must have the knowledge of the area, house as they had adopted a safe passage for escape. He said it could not be ascertained that what was missing from the almirah as there was no one to tell the police what was missing. He said dog squad, forensic lab staff and finger print experts had been pressed into service and search operation had been launched. Some suspicious persons had been taken into custody for interrogation. He said the night patrolling had been intensified in the town. The incident has shocked the town residents and a bandh was observed today. The people from every walk of life thronged the residence of Mr Sharma as soon as the news of the murder spread in the town. He was associated with various social and religious organisations, including Amar Nath Yatra and Brahmin Sabha. Dr Harbans Lal, MLA, Mr Gurpreet Singh Bhatti, president, Youth Akali Dal, Mr Ashok Sood, president Municipal Council, Sirhind, Mr R.N. Sharma, president Citizens Welfare Council, Mr Subhash Sood, former VP, Mr Rakesh Mitter, social worker, Mr Varinder Rattan, general secretary, Beopar Mandal and Mr Kirpal Singh Libra, former MLA, condemned the incident and expressed sympathy with the family. They demanded that strict security measures should be adopted to avoid such incidents and operation night dominance should be re-started, so that the life and property of the people could be saved. Meanwhile, the local citizens welfare council has called for a bandh in the town tomorrow. |
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MC, AH Department lock horns
over felling of trees Ludhiana, July 22 The issue threatens to snowball into a major controversy as the MC has lodged a complaint with the police demanding registration of criminal case against persons or some department responsible for the cutting of the trees. The police is investigating the matter. While the MC in the complaint lodged with the police claims that the land belongs to it and the cutting of the trees was an illegal act, the Animal Husbandry Department rebuffs the claim. It claims that it had the right to cut the trees, as a recent state government circular authorises it to sell “old trees” for generating funds. The Sarabha Nagar police said that it had conducted an inquiry into the case and may register a case if some person or officials of a department were found responsible. The police sources said the statement of the employees concerned was recorded and the police was further investigating the case. The police is learnt to have seized certain documents regarding the respective claims of the two departments. The issue involves three eucalyptus, neem and tahli trees. The trees were felled and cut into pieces on July 16. The Animal Husbandry Department later auctioned the logs of wood. The auction fetched a sum of Rs 7500. The AH Department has so far not utilised the money anywhere else. According to the complaint letter of the MC, the land on which the hospital of the AH Department was
constructed in 1963 was a shamlat land and belonged to the village panchayat. The trees were grown on the hospital premises. However, in the 1980s the village was brought under the jurisdiction of the MC. The MC thus claims that the trees were cut from its land without its permission. Hence, the complaint of registration of case against the guilty persons was sent to the police. The strong-worded letter alleged that, “ It has come to the notice of the MC that some people/department are cutting the trees from the land of MC, measuring 2-3 acres on Barrewal road, which is presently under the custody of the Animal Husbandry Department and a veterinary hospital is running there. As reported by the field staff, a number of trees belonging to the MC were axed by the staff of the AH Department without any permission or authority ”. The AH Department officials on the other hand defended the act of cutting down of the trees and auctioning these. An official of the department told Ludhiana Tribune that the department had received a circular from the Financial Commissioner to generate funds for the repair of hospitals either by cutting down trees or by encouraging donations. The official said the local department constituted a committee under the chairmanship of the Deputy Director of the district Animal Husbandry department. The committee finalised the move of cutting down the trees as it found these were old enough to be removed. Interestingly, the department has so far not received any donation to generate funds. SHO Sarabha Nagar Dilpreet Singh, who is investigating the case, said he had recorded the statement of both parties and had also certain documentary evidence. He said the registration of the case, if any, could be finalised only after the completion of the investigation. |
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‘PTU not violating UGC guidelines’ Ludhiana, July 22 Commenting on the reported statement of the UGC Chairman, Mr Garcha said university was working and starting courses as per the guidelines of the UGC and the All-India Technical Education Council. According to a UGC memorandum issued in November, 1997, Punjab Technical University was listed as one of the universities recognised by the commission. According to Mr Garcha, as per the Act passed by the Punjab Vidhan Sabha in 1997 under which Punjab Technical University came into being,”The Territorial limits in which the university shall exercise its power and perform its duties shall be the whole of the state of Punjab and other regions outside the state of Punjab as may be decided by the Board of Governors from time to time subject to any regulation and statutes. Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, any college imparting technical education and situated within the limits of the area specified under Section (I) shall with effect from such date, as may be notified in this behalf by the state government, be deemed to be associated with and admitted to the privileges of the university and shall cease to be associated in any way with, or be admitted to any privileges, Panjab University, Chandigarh, Punjabi University, Patiala and Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar.” He warned all those technical institutions of Punjab having affiliation with other than the PTU and asked them to withdraw from the same and seek affiliation with the PTU as required under the Act. Mr Garcha maintained that all the courses started by the PTU were according to the guidelines of the All-India Technical Education Council and were being run by the PTU itself. No franchise had been given, he added. As a matter of fact, he said, the university had saved the Punjab students who were being fleeced by the universities located outside Punjab. Mr Garcha said he would be meeting the chairman of the UGC next week to seek clarification and put the viewpoint of the Punjab Government before him. |
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3 held in bank murder case Ludhiana, July 22 The police has, however, not succeeded in nabbing Gulshan Kumar, the main accused in both the cases. The police also claimed to have achieved a major success with the arrest of these three persons today, as they have allegedly confessed to more than 40 cases of theft, snatching, robbery, rape and murder. Interestingly, most of the cases confessed by the accused had not been registered in any police station. One of the alleged incidents confessed by the accused was the brutal rape of a minor girl, whose parents did not lodge a complaint with the police. While Mr Parmod Ban, SP (City-II), addressing a press conference today , gave details about the solving of the bank murder case, sources informed that only one of the accused had confessed to the murder of Dinesh Kumar who was shot dead outside the bank on July 2, while the other two had denied their involvement in the case. Sources claimed the accused were in police custody since July 16 but the arrest had been shown only today after one of them confessed to the crime. The police claimed that it arrested three persons — Naresh Kumar, Swaranjit Singh and Avtar Singh Tari today. The fourth member Amandeep Singh had already been arrested on July 16. The fifth accused Gulshan Kumar, the kingpin, was yet to be arrested. Mr Ban said Gulshan Kumar masterminded the majority of the incidents. He was a neighbour of the HP minister's kin murdered last year and was also a relative of Dinesh Kumar, a youth who was shot dead by two scooter-borne youths in a robbery bid outside the Bank of Baroda on July 2 last. The accused had allegedly confessed that Gulshan Kumar, being a relative, knew that Dinesh and his father would withdraw a heavy amount from the bank on that date. According to the police, the gang members reached the site at about 10 am and waited for Dinesh who came at about 1 pm only. Two of the members, including Gulshan Kumar, went on a scooter towards Dinesh, a medical representative and tried to snatch his
bag, while others waited in a car. However, as Dinesh resisted he was shot dead allegedly by Gulshan Kumar. However, in their haste the gang members ran away with the bag containing medicines only which they threw at some distance away from the bank. |
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No action on scam report so far Ludhiana, July 22 It has been a month since June 22 when the university had promised to take punitive action against seven such employees within two days, but there has been no action against any of them so far. It has been learnt that the authorities concerned are sitting over the charge sheets and documentary proofs against the accused have been buried in files. Sources said authorities were shielding some of the officials who were involved in the scam. The university is identifying the officials during whose tenure the scam took place. It has also been learnt that the estate officers of that time are to face action. The PAU Registrar had asked the employees of the office to prepare a list of such officials. The information on date on which the funds had been released was also sought. The PAU had issued charge sheets to seven persons, including a former executive engineer, two subdivisional engineers and four junior engineers, in this case. Sources said more charge sheets were to follow and the involvement of some former estate officers in the case was also being suspected. Those who received the charge-sheets were Piara Singh Gill, a former executive engineer, SDE Harnek Singh and SDE A.K. Garg, besides Harbhajan Singh, V.K. Saggar, Harpal Singh and Mahipal Singh, all JEs. The university has been considering this case for the past two years. Two years ago, the then PAU Vice-Chancellor, Dr G.S. Kalkat, had asked the Additional Director Research, Dr V.K. Sharma, to probe the matter. Dr Sharma had submitted his report in January 2001, but no action had been taken against anybody. Sources said the office of the Director Students Welfare had released Rs 70 lakh for the renovation of the hostels. It was alleged that the university had not advertised any tender notice in this regard. These allegations were first levelled by the employees’ union of the PAU that also demanded an inquiry into the matter. It was also alleged, though the university had spent lakhs of rupees on renovation, the condition of hostels had not improved. Sources said the records showed that Rs 6.38 lakh had been spent on the repair of roofs, Rs 5.62 lakh on civil works, Rs 13 lakh on renovation and Rs 2.56 lakh on the upkeep of the hostels. Records showed heavy expenditure on other works like the repair of toilets, floors, doors and windowpanes as well. The VC had ordered the probe on July 20 past year. Dr Kalkat had asked for the report within a month, but the ADR submitted it in January. No action was taken and Dr Kalkat resigned in March to make way for Dr K.S. Aulakh, who took over as the VC in April. Sources said if the inquiry was honest and serious, many officials would face tough action. More developments are expected in this case in the next few days. |
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Tubewell
installation starts against court orders Ludhiana, July 22 Ignoring the status quo orders given by the Sessions Court, the work on the tubewell started in the morning today. The contractor, masons and labourers descended at the site on Baba Jiwan Singh Nagar at the Tajpur road and started the construction. Hundreds of residents of Baba Jiwan Singh Nagar accompanied the construction team to the site where the work had started. Tension gripped the area as the residents had come prepared to face any eventuality as the Superintending Engineer-cum-Additional Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation had written to the Executive Engineer of the Water Supply and Sewerage Board in October last year to stall the construction in view of the status quo orders of the Sessions Court. Incidentally, the Deputy Commissioner, Mr S.K. Sandhu, has already ordered the eviction of the colony to which the water is to be supplied through the tubewell. The SDM, Mr Kuldip Singh, had even told Ludhiana Tribune that he had ordered the MC to stop all the development works in the colony because of the alleged grabbing of the land which originally belonged to the government. The local Tehsildar (East) had also written to the Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation vide letter number 1788, dated 17.11.2000, to stop tubewell installation work. The letter read that the land, on which the tubewell is being installed, had a disputed ownership as Harbans Lal, the claimant of theland had filed a suit in the Civil Court. The Tehsildar had ordered the stopping of work to avoid contempt of the court. The Deputy Commissioner had also, in a letter issued on April 23, ordered the stalling of all the development works in the area. It should be recalled here that the 100 acre land, on which Baba Jiwan Singh Nagar is located, originally belonged to the state government, a part of which was said to be allotted to a member belonging to Schedule Caste, had slipped into the private hands. The revenue records were showing the land as the agricultural land but in reality colonies were erected on it. The land was allegedly sold and re-sold by the private persons on the behest of the employees of the Revenue Department. |
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SPEAKING OUT Ludhiana, July 22 The Municipal Corporation, the Pollution Control Board and the local industry are trying to improve the situation. The level of suspended particles, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide in the air has come down a bit due to this, but, it is still above the danger mark. Experts say that, for restricting air pollution, more trees should be planted, for which, monsoon is the right time. Trees and green spaces help in keeping the surface cool, besides acting as natural filters and noise absorbers. Mr Vikas Jain, a hosiery exporter, said, “Owners of most of the local hosiery units have already set up effluent-treatment plants, mostly under the pressure of foreign buyers. Even under the social clause of the WTO, we are required to check pollution in our units. However, responsible behaviour should also be encouraged among the other domestic producers.” Is there a way to encourage tree plantation among citizens. On this question, Ms Sunanda Joshi, a lecturer in the Government College for Women, said, “The Municipal Corporation should approve a house plan only if a specific number of plants are planted on the premises. All resident welfare societies should encourage tree plantation drives in their areas.” Mr Jeet Bahri, a trader, said, due to the increasing pollution in the city, he had changed his time of morning walk to 4 am. He said, after this time, the pollution increased with the traffic in the city. Amit Bhalla, a college student, said, if the Delhi Government could check the pollution level in New Delhi by shifting out polluting units and putting polluting vehicles off road, why couldn’t the MC do the same. “It has become almost impossible to ride a bicycle in the city due to unplanned growth and pollution,” he said. Ms Bhavna Jalota, a housewife, said, “Residents of the city try to keep their houses clean, but the MC has failed to check the rising pollution due to ineffective drainage system and industrial waste. We need a mass movement to arrest the rise of pollution here by planting trees in large numbers.” |
Girls learn about women’s rights Ludhiana, July 22 Girls of Government High Schools of Ramgarh Kohara, Mundian Kalan and Laduwal; Nankana Sahib Public Senior Secondary School, Kot Gangu Rai school; Government Girls Senior Secondary School of Katani Kalan; Mai Bhago College of Ramgarh; and Government Senior Secondary School of Nurpur Bet; besides slum dwellers of Rajiv Colony and the Housing Board Colony of Ludhiana, were awarded for organising publicity packages like song and drama programmes, magic shows, oral communications, group talks and documentary shows. These programmes focussed on declining sex ratio in Punjab, building self-confidence among women, social and economic empowerment of women, participation of women in Panchayati Raj institutions and equitable distribution of resources and women’s role in the 21st century. Steps taken by the government to contain bias in the enumeration of the population of male and female children to check the sex-determination tests and female foeticide were also the focus of these publicity programmes. Speakers said these programmes formed an effective campaign to create awareness among girls that gender equality could be achieved. |
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418 pensioners
benefited Samrala, July 22 Under the Kanya Jyoti scheme, five girls of Rajewal village were given certificates of Rs 5,000 each. Ms Avtar Kaur, CDPO, said if any person had not received his old-age pension or widow pension, he/she could contact her in her office at time. |
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Dyeing
unit gutted Ludhiana, July 22 According to sources, the fire broke out at about 10.30 pm last night but it could be doused completely by 11 am only today. Fortunately, there was no loss of life as no worker was present when the fire took place. Sources said the fire could have been controlled early had the fire-tenders managed to reach there early. It was alleged that the fire tenders reached the site after an hour after the fire broke out. One of the fire tenders was empty while the other was only filled half to its capacity. Later more than five fire-tenders were pressed into service. Sources close to the owners of the unit said they had suffered huge loss due to the fire. The owner had recently stored huge quantity of acrylic yarn but it was all destroyed in the fire. |
Petrol station looted Doraha, July 22 A case has been registered under Sections 397, 342, 25, 48 and 59 of Arms Act. All the injured are reported to be out of danger. SAHNEWAL According to the information available, Shingara Singh, who is a teacher in Government Senior Secondary School, Sahnewal, was stepped on way by three young boys coming from Dehlon side on scooter near Jassar village, and forcibly took away Rs 1,500 and gold and fled. A case has been registered at Sadar Police Station. Land grabbed:
Ram Krishan of Kadiana Kalan village has lodged a complaint with the Sahnewal police that his land has been forcibly occupied by Hans Raj and Butta of the same village. He said they have spread stones in his plot and are threatening him every now and then. A case has been registered under Section 447, 506 and 341 of IPC and the investigation is being done by SHO, Koom Kalan, Niranjan Singh. |
Principal’s suspension demanded Ludhiana, July 22 The meeting decided to open another front at Chandigarh before the residence of the president of the Managing Committee of the Dev Samaj College and served an ultimatum to the president to resolve the issue regarding suspension of Prof Harbans Kaur by August 1 or face protest rally before his residence at Chandigarh in the second week of August. |
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Rain dance thrills many Ludhiana, July 22 The lights falling on the pool added charn to the evening. The evening started with song ‘sawan mein lag gayee aag’. The rhythm of the song brought even reluctant couples to dance. Vandana, a crooner from Chandigarh, in her husky voice set the pool on fire by singing ‘Feeling hot hot hot’ as the evening advanced, more fun was in store for the audience. To the vigorous beat of the dholi, Vandana sang ‘Saun di jhadi’ and the crowd went into raptures. Nivi Jaswal, a student, said, “I have been preparing for MBA and was quite stressed out. This party has breathed new life into me and taken away all my stress. I feel such like parties should be held more
often”. Vani, another student, said, “We can draw an analogy between this rain dance and the impromtu dance of the villagers in the movie Laagan when the rain starts pouring. Since we are so busy, we do not give ourselves to the natural pleasures of dancing freely in rain. This artificial rain has brought the childhood memories of getting wet into the mind and the joys of past and present have mingled and our joys have enhanced”. A dance troupe West 17 performed ‘Saadi rail gaddi aayee’, which had the entire crowd dancing in a queue. |
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Vandana —
a young, upcoming singer Ludhiana, July
22 Vandana after performing in lot of shows has finally discovered that one has to cater to the mood of the public. These days, the performer has to give a package deal, including dress, dance steps, music, body language, rhythm patterns. "The whole turnout should be good and after all we are singing for the masses, so the pulse of the public should be kept in mind. I have learn that if the song has a good melody, beautiful rhythm pattern and punch, the song are always hit. I am equally comfortable singing western as well as Punjabi songs. I had performed on the New Year's Eve in Ludhiana and I was surprised that people were demanding English songs. I am glad that singers like Atnan Sami are bringing in a lovely blend of western and Indian music."
Vandana felt that Indian rhythm is so strong that it produces foot-tapping music and it can never fade away. When asked if she wants to become a film actress, she replied that she knew her limitations and she would be content to play back for Urmila
Matondkar, Shilpa Shetty and Karisma Kapoor. She is superstitious by nature and hence did not want to talk about her forthcoming album. |
Shooting championship Ludhiana, July 22 Kamaljit Kaur, student of B.A. third year, gave a stupendous performance, hoisting 330 points to win air pistol event (individual) for women as well as junior women. Amita Rani of the same college with 287 points clinched two titles (open sight air rifle for women and junior women ). In open sight air rifle for sub junior women, Manpreet Kaur scored 117 points to emerge victorious. Kamalpreet Kaur finished second with 78 points. Mandep Singh, student of Master Tara Singh School, shot 203 points to win open sight air rifle sub junior men individual event. St. Thomas Senior Secondary School’s shooters Gaurav Singla and Samheet Kaur bagged titles in open sight air rifle for men, junior men and peep sight air rifle (women) respectively. In team events, Master Tara Singh Memorial College and Kundan Vidya Mandir Secondary School bagged two titles each. In open sight air rifle (women), the college team comprising Gurpreet Kaur, Varsha Rani and Kamaljit Kaur amassed 788 points to clinch the title while in the junior
womens’ category, college team consisting of Manpreet Kaur, Amita Rani and Ravinder Kaur collected 160 points to win the title. Marksmen from Kundan Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School lifted team championship in open sight air rifle (junior men) and air rifle (sub junior men). Final
results:—O.S. air rifle men individual — Karamvir S. Kalsi 240-I, Manpreet Singh 218-2, Sub. Harjinder Singh 180-3; women — Amita Rani
(MTSC) 287-1, Gurpreet Kaur (MTSC) 277-2, Varsha Rani (MTSC) 267-3. O. S. air rifle( junior men): Gaurav Singla (St. Thomas School) 232-1, Arjun Mehra
(KVM School ) 186-2, Nikhil Kapoor (KVM School ) 178-3; junior women — Amita Rani
(MTSC) 287-1, Tarun Preet Kaur (GRD Academy) 266-2, Manpreet Kaur
(MTSC) 259-3; (sub junior men) — Mandeep Singh (MTSS) 203-1, Mankaran Singh (St Thomas School ) 189-2, Ankit Jain
(KVM School ) 183-3; sub junior women — Manpreet Kaur (MTSC) 117-1, KamalPreet Kaur
(MTSC) 78-2, peep sight air rifle men — Gaurav Singla (St Thomas School) 242-1, Rahul Verma 237-2, Ankit Jain
(KVM School)161-3; women — Samheet Kaur (St Thomas School ) 289-1, Kamaljeet Kaur
(MTSC) 221-2. Team championship — O.S. air rifle women — MTSC 788, junior men — KVM School 541, junior women —
MTSC-A 760-1, MTSC-B 536-2; air rifle (sub junior men): KVM School 462-1, MTSS 437-2. |
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