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| Tuesday,
July 9, 2002, Chandigarh, India
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Murder in secret chamber; unusual robbery
Ludhiana, July 8 Ritika, daughter of Mr T.R. Malik, a hosiery-machines manufacturer, was stabbed at least six times on the face, the neck and the upper half of the body. Her body was found in a storeroom, the door to which was through a cabinet in the house. The assailants had tied her arms and legs to a chair and gagged her, in which position her parents found her dead at about 8.45 pm yesterday. The postmortem examination conducted by a board of doctors today revealed that Ritika had died of multiple stab wounds. The doctors do not suspect that she was sexually abused, but the swabs collected from the body have been sent to forensics experts, nevertheless.
The police said the family was yet to assess the monetary loss. However, the assailants had left the main locker in the house untouched. Ritika was alone in the house when she was killed. Her family members, including her parents, a younger brother, a married elder sister and the rest were in some restaurant at that time. The murder is suspected to have taken place sometime between 7.30 pm (when the family went out) and 8.45 pm yesterday (when it returned), which has left the police baffled, as robberies do no usually happen at these hours. These are the hours when there is every chance that someone will visit you unexpectedly or otherwise. The police suspects that the assailants were well known to the family, as it was impossible for an outsider to know that Ritika would be home alone at that time.
The police is working on several theories and is not all that convinced that robbery was the main motive of the killers. The manner in which the girl was killed suggests that she had recognised the assailants, who, then, had no option, but to silence her. Revenge may also be a motive. The police has rounded up some suspects in the case, including an old servant of the house. There was a pool of blood under the chair to which Ritika had been tied. Almost all cabinets had been ransacked and clothes and the other items lay scattered. However, not all rooms had been ransacked, unlike usual robberies. Mr T.R. Malik and Mr Amar Malik, Ritika’s father and brother, respectively, said they had been shocked to find Ritika’s body on the chair. Her mother, Ms Saroj Malik, was inconsolable and relatives were finding it hard to calm her down. “How can someone be so brute to kill my pretty daughter like this. The assailants should have taken all my money, but spared my daughter,” she was saying. Neighbours told the police that two youths had been seen near the house yesterday evening. The tenants on the first floor of the house had heard no unusual noise yesterday. Only two days ago, Ritika, an arts student of the Government College for Women here, had found that she had got first division in the final-year examinations. Irked by the killing, persons who live in Urban Estate and Moti Nagar here have said that they feel insecure after the area has witnessed a recent spate of thefts, burglaries and robberies. The area is surrounded by slums where migrants live in large numbers and it is common here to find persons roaming around in a manner that raises suspicion. Mr Tarlochan Singh Bhatia, a man who lives here, said some persons had attempted to burgle his house in broad daylight last week. He had been away for only an hour; and, on return, found the door of his house open. He caught two persons roaming around in a manner that raised suspicion and handed them over to the police. Persons of the area want 24-hour security or at least a better patrolling than ever by the police.
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TRIBUNE IMPACT Ludhiana, July 8 The police reply came after the victim moved a local court against undue harassment at the hands of Haibowal police. The victim, Vijay Kumar, had moved the court after his alleged plight was highlighted by Ludhiana Tribune in its June 21 issue. The police reply was, however, silent on the alleged torture and illegal detention of the accused. It only said the victim was not required any longer. A relieved Vijay Kumar said justice had finally been done. He said he was innocent and was now glad that his innocency was upheld in the society. ‘‘Policemen had stopped visiting my house after the news report but now they have finally given me a clean chit,’’ he added. Police sources told Ludhiana Tribune that no one had questioned the alleged victim unnecessarily. They said the recovery of the man's telephone number from the pocket of a slain terrorist was a strong clue and the police had every right to question the shopkeeper. They said once the police was convinced that the man was not wanted as the evidence found so far was concerned, it gave in writing to the court that the man was not required. Vijay Kumar was allegedly picked up by the Haibowal police last month and then tortured and questioned in CIA wing of the police. He was told his phone number, along with several other numbers, was recovered from a pocket of a slain terrorist in Jammu and Kashmir. Vijay Kumar had put up a petition before Duty Magistrate Sanjay Agnihotri in the city last month. In his petition he had given details about this torture and harassment at the hands of the police. The Duty Magistrate had directed the Haibowal police to give details of the case immediately. The man had also given to the court in writing that he was willing to join any investigation. The man is owner of a sanitary shop in Haibowal. He was originally a Muslim and a resident of Jammu. He had converted to Hinduism, married a Hindu girl and settled in Ludhiana in 1978. He has two daughters here. His fraternal family, mainly brothers, is settled in Jammu and Kashmir. Two of his brothers are reportedly in high position. Narrating his tale of woe to Ludhiana Tribune, Mr Vijay Kumar said he had left Jammu due to some family dispute over property and had hidden his identity as his life was in danger. He said he was in Ludhiana for the past 22 years and had not been once found guilty of any illegal activity by the police. He said the security forces had a large intelligence network and if he was indulging in some anti-national activity someone must have learnt it. He said he was totally at a loss to explain how his phone number was found in the pocket of a slain terrorist. He even accused police of cooking up a story to unnecessarily harass him. ‘‘ I was picked up by Haibowal police and tortured first in that police station and then in CIA last month. I was even given electric shocks besides subjected to third-degree torture. I was released after three days of interrogation, which did not yield anything. I was not able to walk for several days due to the interrogation and has now returned to work but the policemen have again started making rounds of my house and shop. I have been forced to live in hiding, ’’he said. |
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MC action plan against stray animals’ menace In the wake of a stray pig attacking a child in New Shivpuri area and seriously injuring him on Saturday, the MC Commissioner, Mr SK Sharma has set up a special team, comprising of five officials and a sanitary inspector, which would take regular rounds of city localities in general and problematic areas in particular for shifting the stray pigs from residential localities. Mr Sharma said although seized of the problem, the civic body was taking a lenient view as it was the weaker section of the city population that was engaged in pig rearing to supplement its income. However, the MC would now take the matter to its logical conclusion to rid the residents of the menace of stray animals. ‘‘Initially, we shall launch a campaign to educate and persuade those persons engaged in pig rearing to shift out of the city colonies and thereafter the stray swine would be shifted to a pig pond and the strict action will be taken against owners.’’ The MC, he added, had set up a pig pond in an area of around 2 acre in Jamalpur colony at a cost of Rs 5 lakh for providing shelter to stray pigs. Plans had already been finalised to also establish a dog house along side. The site has been earmarked and fencing was already in place. ‘‘The civic body is seeking the assistance of bodies like Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animal and People for Animals to train the MC employees for catching stray dogs.’’ According to Mr Sharma, the health department staff of the civic body would soon issue a public notice asking people, keeping pet dogs, to get their pets registered so that the stray dogs could be identified and accordingly dealt with. After giving the city residents a reasonable time, the civic administration prosecute the defaulting persons under the relevant provisions of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act 1976. Meanwhile, interacting with representatives of several industrial associations here, the MC Commissioner described clean drinking water, better sewerage and street lights as the top priority areas for the MC. ‘‘While other development works will continue, our first and foremost concern is basic amenities for the people in the mega city,’’ he remarked while holding separate meetings with representatives of Chamber of Industrial and Commercial Undertakings (CICU), Focal Point Industries Association, Industrial Welfare Association and Dyeing Factories Association. MC officials of the rank of Zonal Commissioners and the Superintending Engineers also attended the meetings. Mr Sharma, during
Responding to the demand of the industry representatives that rates of octroi on main items should be prominently displayed at the octroi posts and a copy of the octroi tax schedule be placed at each octroi barrier, the Commissioner issued orders to the officials concerned for immediate compliance. Giving details of a comprehensive system for time-bound redressal of complaints regarding civic services, Mr Sharma said that complaint centres had been set up at all zones and the complaints and action taken thereon, was monitored on a daily basis. |
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Dunston checks in... After spreading panic among residents of Bhai Randhir Singh and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar a langoor that had strayed into these areas, has now moved to Dugri and Urban Estate and causing quite a scare among the public. While the residents of these three colonies have been approaching the Municipal Corporation, District Administration, Wild Life Department and the police to catch the wild animal, none of these departments has, so far, responded positively. In fact the departments are passing the buck on to each other saying catching the animal was not their duty. A harassed resident, Mr Lakhbir Singh Gill of Dugri colony, talking to the Ludhiana Tribune said the langoor was causing all kinds of problems for the residents. ‘‘The animal snatches away eatables from children and even enter houses. He is also notorious for scaring children and running away with clothes left outside to dry under the sun," said Mr Gill. The residents said the langoor had injured few persons, including some children, but no department had yet come to their aid. Mr Gill said he had rung up the officials of the different departments but no one promised him of any immediate help. While some department staff said they would send some person and others said it was not their duty. As the authorities dither, the residents continue to live in panic. Fed up with the authorities, some residents of Dugri told Ludhiana Tribune that they hoped that the wild animal moved to some other colony soon on its own as it had done in the past. TNS
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Palledar
union up in arms against FCI manager Ahmedgarh, July 8 According to union leaders, they have been struggling to get their rights for the past six years or so by filing complaint after complaint to higher FCI officials against the discrimination being practised by the assistant manager, but to no avail. The union held a press conference here yesterday which was addressed by Mr Zora Singh Nasrali, state secretary, Mr Karam Deol, state president, and local union leaders, Mr Zora Singh Kanganwal and Mr Mall Singh. The union leaders pointed out that 48,000 bags were unloaded from special trains at the Ahmedgarh railway station out of which not a single bag was allowed to be unloaded by any of the 27 members of the union. As a result of this uneven distribution of work, a member of the union was earning Rs 692 from one special train, while each member of the other group was earning Rs 1,524. The union leaders stated that the discrimination had been going on since April,1997, and their CPF funds had also been affected due to the non-deposit of actual funds. The union leaders accused Mr K.L.Verma and the head of the other labour group of indulging in corrupt practices by employing private labour in an illegal manner at rates lesser than those fixed by the government and gobbling up the difference thereof. The union leaders further stated that following a letter by the union on June 6 to the assistant manager and the district manager about the discrimination in allotment of work, the latter appointed a three-member committee to inspect the situation. After this, the union members were given their due share of loading a special rice train on July 4. But the very next day, they were again denied their share of work when another special rice train was loaded solely by members of the other union. Mr Zora Singh Nasrali, while making an appeal to FCI officials and the Chief Minister, Mr Amarinder Singh, said a high-level probe should be ordered into the whole affair so that the racket involving lakhs of rupees could be unearthed. He further said the issue would also be raised at the July 12 rally at Sangrur against the government’s proposal to privatise food agencies. The leaders categorically stated that the union members would no longer tolerate highhandedness of the local assistant manager and if their demands were not met in the near future they would resort to an agitation. |
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YC to gherao Parliament Ludhiana, July 8 Addressing a party workers’ meeting at the Congress Bhavan here on Sunday, the District Youth Congress Chief, Mr Parminder Mehta, charged the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the major constituent of the ruling coalition in centre, with fomenting communal tension by raising controversial and provocative issues like Ayodhya. Lambasting the government for putting an unbearable burden of toll tax on Shambhu Border-Jalandhar section of the national highway, he said the move would adversely affect the public as well as the cargo movement between Punjab, Haryana and Delhi. Mr Mehta further alleged that the government assumed the role of a silent spectator in the ongoing war between satellite channels and cable networks while the common people were being held to ransom. “The administration should intervene and take effective measures to smash the syndicate of cable operators.” He said the extortion by way of repeated hike in monthly charges by cable operators should be put to an end and a rational structure of monthly charges, based on number of channels beamed by the operators, should be given effect. He ridiculed the vague instructions by the police and the Transport Department for change in the colour of registration number plates on public and private vehicles. The exercise was not only futile and wastage of public money but was totally uncalled for in the wake of the time limit fixed for conversion to high security registration plates being just a few months away. |
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AICC Secy keeps Cong leaders
waiting Ludhiana, July 8 The function was organised by the Punjab Ekta Manch in his honour after completing 12 years as a member of the Rajya Sabha. Mr Hanspal was represented by his son, Mr Sur Amritpal Singh Hanspal, as he was reportedly busy in Delhi where hectic political activity was going on to identify a suitable candidate for the post of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President. Most of the local Congress leaders ,including the Transport Minister, Mr Tejprakash, an MLA from Dakha, Mr Milkiat Singh Dakha, the DCC president, Mr K.K. Bawa and the senior vice-president of the Pradesh Youth Congress, Mr Pawan Dewan, were present at the function. Speaking on the occasion, Chaudhary Surrinder Singh, president of the Punjab Ekta Manch, highlighted Mr Hanspal’s contribution to the Congress. He said Mr Hanspal had a clean image and had devoted his entire life to the Congress. He said Mr Hanspal’s 12 years as a member of the Rajya Sabha were quite eventful and he had raised the voice of Punjab and Punjabis from time to time. Expressing gratitude on behalf of his father, Mr Amritpal Singh Hanspal said that the confidence and faith reposed by the people in his father (Mr Hanspal) had added to his commitment of selfless service for them.
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‘Campaign
against corruption
to continue’ Ludhiana, July 8 Speaking at a felicitation function organised jointly by the Arhtiya Association, Nagar Panchayat and several other bodies at Mandi Mullanpur, the minister observed that with the Congress coming back to power, the people had get rid of the misrule by the SAD-BJP combine. On his arrival at Mandi Mullanpur, Mr Panday was accorded a rousing reception by functionaries of the Congress office-bearers of Arhtiya Association, councillors and people from other walks of life. Prominent among those present at the function were Mr Anand Sarup Singh, president, Arhtiya Association, Mr Mohinder Kumar Goga, president, Nagar Panchayat, Mr Surinder Singh Cheema, Mr Telu Ram, Mr Tek Chand, Mr Subhash Chander, Mr Prem, Dr Jang Bahadur, Mr Jagtar Jagga, Mr Ranjit Singh, Mr Prem Chand Goyal and Mr Krishan Kumar. |
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CITY SCAN THE Chenab-Sutlej link exists. Like the Saraswati it flows as a dynamic under-current. It transforms the cultural fields of Punjab and Haryana, even further away. The history of Punjab is incomplete without Maharaja Ranjit Singh. To study the evolution of modern Punjabi literature minus Amrita Pritam, is an exercise in futility. Nearer home, if one were to write a thesis on the development of Moga without mentioning the role of Dr Mathura Das, it shall earn instant rejection by the experts. What is common between these epoch-making persons of genius?. They hail from Central Rachna (Ravi-Chenab) Doaba. Read this very brief list: Bhai Kanaihya, poet Sainapati, Gen. Hari Singh Nalwa, Kirpa Sagar, Man Singh Kalidas, Swami Ram Tirath, Bharat Ratna Gulzari Lal Nanda, Diwan Singh Maftoon (Riyasat fame) and Bhim Sen Sachar. What is the highest common factor between these persons? They all hailed from Gujranwala. So do Jagmohan, and Inder Malhotra and others. History, they say, repeats itself some add on new basis. In history one ruler replaces the other, the ruled remain the same. The great divide of 1947 is the oddest event of the past century. The sudden and forced migration on communal lines, too tragic to recall. Worth recalling is the faith in future with which the uprooted ones struck roots afresh. Migrants from Gujranwala were officially allotted the district of Karnal. A vast-majority made new homes. Some left for Delhi and even further away. Many families settled in the Malwa region. Quite a few settled here in Ludhiana. They had empty pockets but had full faith in their work and true trust in God. Gujranwalias settled in Naya Mohalla, Mochpura near Subhani Building, Chowk Nimwala etc. The decedents of Gen. Hari Singh Nalwa are settled at Brown Road. Some found Meena Bazar commercially suitable. Model Town, New Model Town, Model Gram, etc. offered them new homes. The first impact on the city-scape was made by the Nalwas. They renovated and restarted the Naulakha Cinema. The elders kept their traditional appearance: Finely striped starched turban with one end raised as a flowery plume, the other hanging down getting rolled-up by the left shoulder to be tucked in the middle. The dress of Nalwas was exclusive, others could copy it. Malwais saw the novel form of taura, to their delight. Giani Harjit Singh revived political activities of pre-Partition days. The greatest contribution of Gujranwalias was the rehabilitation of Guru Nanak College in 1953 adding Gujranwala to it for legacy and distinction. Big education-campus has excellent public school besides other institutions. A few persons had dealings with cycle-parts manufacturers. During the world war years, Gujranwalias made new contacts in Millerganj. Balwant Singh (Public Cycles) rebuilt the destroyed bridges. Lala Ram Lubhaya (Pahwa), a collateral of Dr Mathur Dass Pahwa, shifted. His sons, Sant Parkash and Om Parkash created history. The Ralson Companies have made industrial and commercial history at Delhi, Bhopal, and other cities. In medicines Dr L.S. Chawla earned honour as Principal of D.M. College. His role as founder Vice-Chancellor of Baba Farid Health University is historic. Principals Mahan Singh, Sardul Singh, Prithipal Singh Kapur put the college on sound academic lines. In business and commerce the firm of Haveli Ram Bansi Lal bears the seal of goodwill. Amrit Nagpal (Tanishq) strengthens the image of his ancestral land. Bhim Sen Sachar, former Chief Minister, represented Ludhiana. Ironically, Rafiq Tarar, the deposed President of Pakistan , still claims to be the de-jure President. General Musharraf discards the Mohajir status in preference to being neo-Gujranwalia. M.S. Cheema
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Transporters
to join strike Ludhiana, July 8 Mr Libra said that private transporters were the worst-hit by the imposition of toll tax. He pointed out that the transporters were already paying two taxes for the maintenance of roads and toll tax would bring additional burden to an already ailing industry. He disclosed that the transporters were already paying token tax at Rs 8,450 per bus per quarter for the maintenance of roads. Besides, they were paying another tax at Rs 2.70 per km per bus again for the maintenance of roads. Moreover, the central government had imposed an additional cess on diesel which came to 30 paise per km per bus. Mr Libra said Rs 160 as additional toll tax per bus was unjustified and the transporters would oppose it tooth and nail. Besides, he pointed out, transporters who were operating their buses for a 40 km stretch between Khanna and Ludhiana were being charged toll tax for 100 km (up to Jalandhar). On the other hand, the buses operating between Ludhiana and Jalandhar had not to pay any toll tax. The transporters, he maintained, had been seeking removal of this disparity also and it proved that toll tax was “absolutely unjustified and uncalled for as we are already paying so many taxes for the maintenance of the roads”. |
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Tributes
paid to Krishen Adeeb Ludhiana, July 8 The speakers on the occasion recalled the literary life of Adeeb and lauded his contribution to the Urdu poetry. Eminent poet Surjit Pattar recalled his association with Adeeb and said the poetic world was missing him desperately as nobody had been able to fill the vacuum created by his departure. The function was organised by the International Sahir Foundation in association with the Young Writers Association and the Lions Club, Ludhiana Top. Singers like Randhir Kanwal and Aashima presented some of (Adeeb’s) ghazals on the occasion. The programme started with Aashima reciting Adeeb’s famous ghazal “Dard ka bhed zamane se chhupaya jay.” The melodious voice of Aashima sent the audience into a nostalgic mood. It was more prominently visible in case of Adeeb’s wife Mona Adeeb and daughter Poppy. This was followed by Randhir Kanwal who recited another famous ghazal of Adeeb, “Chandni Raat Mein.” Adeeb was a contemporary of Sahir Ludhianvi and his ghazals have been sung by singers like Jagjit Singh. Addressing the function, the secretary of the Sahir Foundation, Mr Aziz Parihar, said Adeeb’s poetry was neither classical, nor progressive or modern. It was nostalgic and full of despair, he said. Much to the disappointment of Adeeb’s admirers and the organisers of the programme, not many people turned up. And some speakers did point it out, regretting that not much concern was shown about the great poet. However, the consoling remarks came from Pattar, who said, “Adeeb’s poetry always makes us feel that he is always with us”. |
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Bus service to Naina Devi Doraha, July 8 A special meeting of the Durga Sewa Dal was organised to thank the Transport Minister. According to Mr Vinod Gupta, secretary of the dal, “Earlier, the pilgrims had to suffer a lot because there was no direct bus service.” Among others who welcomed the move were Mr Khabhooshan Jindal, chairman, Mr Sudarshan Kumar Sharma, patron, Mr Ramesh Sharma, president, Mr Satish Kaushal, cashier, Thekedar Krishan Lal Gupta and Mr Bant Singh Duburjee, former chairman, Buddewal Sugar Mills. The bus (PB12-B-9423 or PB12-B-9190) will start its journey from Ludhiana at 7.42 am and reach Naina Devi at 1pm and then begin return journey at 1.30 pm, the same day. |
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Fraud alleged in plot deal Ludhiana, July 8 The complainant said the accused had sold him a plot that had been transferred fraudulently in their names. No arrest has been made, so far, in the case. The Shimla Puri police registered a case of alleged fraud under Sections 406, 420, 467, 468 and 471 of the IPC on the statement of Ms Amarjit Kaur, a woman who lives near Daba Chowk in Shimla Puri. The complaint is against three persons named Nachattar Singh, Tara Singh and Malkit Singh. The complainant said the accused had forged documents of her plot to grab it. No arrest has been made, so far, in the case. The Model Town police registered a case under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471 and 120-B of the IPC on the statement of Ms Sudesh Rani Sood, a woman of Satta Bazar of Hoshiarpur. The complaint is against several persons, including Ranjit Kumar and Parveen Bala, who live in Model Town here. The complainant said the accused had used some forged documents to cheat her. No arrest has been made, so far, in the case. Assault alleged:
The complainant said the accused had assaulted and threatened her, as she had applied for a divorce. No arrest has been made, so far, in the case. Eve-teasing:
Liquor seized:
The Janak Puri police arrested Ravi Kumar, a man of Janata Nagar and seized 36 bottles of IMFL from him. The Shimla Puri police arrested Harmesh Kumar of the Ekta Marg area and seized three bottles of illicit liquor from him. Cases against all these accused have been registered under Sections 61, 1 and 14 of the IPC. Doraha Jainy Kaushal, a resident of Ram Nagar, Chandigarh Road, Khanna, was injured while boarding a Libra bus (PB-23-A-4217) coming from Ludhiana. He was admitted to a local hospital from where he was referred to the DMCH, Ludhiana. His condition is said to be stable. Man Falls from train:
Buffaloes injured:
Property case:
JAGRAON In an another incident, the Dakha police arrested Ranjit Singh of Kotli village from Bassian Bet and seized 11.43 ltr of illicit liquor from his possession. He has been booked under Section 61, 1 and 14 of the Excise Act. 3 held for gambling:
In another incident, the police arrested Ashok Kumar, alias Ashoka, in Purani Gha Mandi near Mahavir Temple and Sham Lal from near Railway crossing. They were also booked under Sections 13-A, 3 and 67 of the Gambling Act. Theft case:
According to the complainant, he has two shops of electronics goods and has a cable network in the area. When he opened the shop in the morning, he found that four big and three small LMVs were missing. The complainant suspected Totil of Sudhar village as he had been enquiring from the complainant about the working of dish antenna and cable TV, but the complainant had turned him out of the shop as he was of the opinion that Totil was not interested in buying anything. |
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‘Improve security system’ Ludhiana, July 8 Stating this in a press release issued here today, Mr Sikander Singh, joint secretary of the union, alleged that a number of theft incidents had been taking place on the plant
premises but the security remained as loose as ever. He said the thieves
had become so daring that they had even broken into the strong room of the plant office. However, the
administration has done nothing about the security and an inquiry conducted into the strong room incident was also being allegedly covered up. |
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Ludhiana, July 8
