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Molestation case rocks CMC Ludhiana, February 11 The girl works with an insurance company and had gone to the CMC to meet a doctor and a clerk regarding work. She has charged that a clerk of the institution tried to lock her in a room and grabbed her. She managed to escape and raise the alarm. The Division No 3 police booked the accused, Sam, in the afternoon under Sections 354 (outraging the modesty of a woman) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC. A police team led by SHO Harjinder Singh raided the hospital premises in the late afternoon but could not trace the accused. While Mr John Abrahim, Medical Superintendent, of the institution could not be contacted, Mr Harjinder Singh told the Ludhiana Tribune that the CMC authorities had taken a serious view of the incident and assured all cooperation. The accused is married and has a son. He is reportedly missing. The victim said she had met the doctor and the accused clerk for insurance purposes and was called at the hospital at 5 pm yesterday. She went there with a woman colleague and was told by Sam to wait for him and the doctor in a room at an upper floor. She said her colleague waited on the ground floor as the doctor said his wife wanted to meet her. “When I went to the room on the upper floor, Sam bolted the door from inside and grabbed my hand. I pushed him away and managed to come out, though he tried to pull me in,’’ she claimed. She said that she was so shaken by the experience that she went straight to her home. It was only in the morning that she was able to narrate the incident to her family and colleagues. They all decided to lodge a complaint with the police.
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Diarrhoea epidemic in city
200 cases reported
Ludhiana, February 11 The residents have also been given ORS packets and necessary medicines. Mr Sita Kesri, one of the residents, complained that they were getting contaminated water in the area for the past several days. The sewerage water was getting mixed with the drinking water. “We had made a complaint in this regard to the area councillor and he had assured to take up the matter with the higher officials, but in vain,” he said. Dr Chawla said the health officials had already taken four water samples from the area and the report would be available within a day or two. Hargobind Nagar is very near to Gyaspura from where more than 1,500 cases of gastroenteritis were reported a few months back.
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SC order on SYL against Punjab farmers: BKU Ludhiana, February 11 Mr Ajmer Singh Lakhowal and Prof Manjit Singh Qadian, president and general secretary of the outfit, urged the people to be prepared to make every sacrifice for safeguarding their rights. The river waters available at present were not enough for the state’s canal-fed areas and if the water was given to our neighbour, then lakhs of acres would turn barren, they said. Reacting to the decision, they said it was not based on ground realities and was anti - Punjab. It seemed that all-out efforts were being made to benefit Haryana at the cost of Punjab. The union was of the view that the decision was along expected lines since it had been felt that judicial thinking would influence any political decision. Otherwise why would the court reject their petition knowing well that they were only taking a stand for the rights of the farmers of Punjab, he added. They said the court had also not taken into consideration the latest findings of various expert committees on the critical groundwater condition in the state. Almost all blocks in the state had been declared grey meaning that the level of groundwater was very low and was not fit for either irrigation or consumption, so much so that the PSEB was not releasing power connections, they pointed out. The kisan leaders said Haryana was making an undue claim on the waters of the state, although the state was already drawing excess water from the Sharda river. Similarly, Haryana was also using more waters from the Ganga and the Yamuna. Now a concerted attempt was being made to rob Punjab of its share. They said it was unfortunate that instead of encouraging the farmers to usher in the second green revolution, the court had opted to rule against the future prosperity of the hardy Punjabi farmer. Now the union and its members were gearing up for the big political fight. In any case, Haryana did not have any claim on the river waters of Punjab according to the universally accepted riparian rights principle. |
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Rally held against police inaction in thath violence case Ludhiana, February 11 Raising slogans in favour of their demands, the rallyists gathered at the Pakhowal road in the morning and started marching towards the Mini Secretariat. They were demanding a CBI inquiry into the episode and gave an ultimatum to the district administration to find a solution to the row soon. The supporters, who were from 200 villages of the district, handed over a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner in favour of their demands. They demanded a probe by an independent authority into the case. They alleged that though many persons, including the sons of Baba Meehan Singh, were suspects in the case, they were not being arrested as the police was under pressure from a senior Congress leader. In a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner, the supporters of Baba Harnek Singh alleged that on October 11 Baba Mann Singh, Bhai Sewa Singh, Bhai Harchand Singh, Bhai Mastan Singh and their supporters had attacked the thath at Siahar and a case had been registered against them under Sections 307, 323, 148 and 149 IPC, and Sections 25, 27, 54 and 59 of Arms Act at Payal police station. They said the police was itself a complainant in the case. The FIR had stated that a wireless set of the police was missing, police vehicles were damaged and some policemen were injured in the violence. They alleged that it was ironical that instead of arresting these people, a case was registered against the trustees of the trust on January 1. They alleged it happened due to pressure from a former Union Home Minister, Mr Buta Singh. The police had registered a case under Sections 302, 307, 323, 148 and 149, IPC, and Sections 25, 27, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act against trustees Swami Kanwaljit Singh, Bhai Gobinder Singh, Bhai Jagroop Singh, Mr Manmohan Singh Ubhi, Mr Baldev Singh Ubhi, Mr Gurnam Singh Ubhi, Mr Manmohan Singh Kular and Mr Nahar Singh Kular on January 1. The supporters claimed that they had the support of gram panchayats of 200 villages of the district that were in favour of Baba Harnek Singh. They demanded the arrest of the suspects in the violence and threatened that they would agitate if justice was not meted out to them. |
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Auto driver accused of rape flees Ludhiana, February 11 According to an FIR lodged with the police, the victim’s family came to know about the incident when the child’s mother noticed bleeding. She was taken to a doctor, who suspected rape. The child told her parents about the auto-rickshaw driver. According to Inspector Navreet Singh, SHO, Shimla Puri police station, the family shared their grief with some residents of the colony, who confronted the accused. The accused slipped away by the time the matter was brought to the notice of the police. The police said the accused Dimpy, was a history-sheeter. He was married and had children. He had been disowned by his parents because of his activities.
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Traders, excise officials on collision course Ludhiana, February 11 Last week, four officials of the Central Excise Department were gheraoed by traders at the Mochpura Bazar. They had gone there to conduct a raid at a shawl manufacturing unit. Within no time, about 500 traders tried to take them hostage. Had it not been the timely arrival of the police, the worst could have happened. It is not for the first time that the traders had tried to bully the excise officials. Similar incidents had occurred with raiding officials in the Sarafa Bazar and also in front of the railway station. While at the Mochpura Bazar it was the team of Central excise officials, at Sarafa Bazar and opposite the railway station, it was the officials of the State Excise and Taxation Department who had to bear the brunt of the traders’ wrath. Officials of both the Central and the state governments expressed concern over the behaviour of the traders. They said lack of action on part of the government and the police was encouraging such traders. A senior official even regretted the role of the politicians who were trying to shield the guilty traders. Although the police had registered an FIR against some traders at Mochpura Bazar, some politicians were trying to prevent action on the FIR and even seeking its cancellation. During an earlier incident, one of the excise and taxation officials of the state government had suffered injuries when an auto-rickshaw driver tried to run him over. He remained in the hospital for several days. At the Sarafa Bazar also, the raiding officials were held hostage. However, they did not retreat till they seized the relevant records. The officials said the traders should not think that they could discourage or bully them. “It strengthens our resolve to find out the duty evaders and bring them to book,” said an excise and taxation official. |
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Harassment by officials irks transporters Ludhiana, February 11 Presiding over the general body meeting of the association, the president of the association, Mr Prithvi Raj, observed that as a result of indifferent attitude of the civic administration, the condition of Transport Nagar had gone from bad to worse. The condition of roads and drainage system was pathetic, encroachments were rampant and the announcements of the MC to start development works in the area had failed to materialise. He said both the City Mayor and the MC Commissioner had visited the area making tall promises but without any positive action. Charging the officials of the Excise and Taxation as well as Transport Department with harassment to transporters, Mr Sarbjit Singh, general secretary, and Mr Balwant Singh Dhanoa said the unwritten monthly quota of revenue to be collected from transporters by transport officials had become a thorn in the flesh and the problem had further precipitated due to persistent coercion by ward excise and taxation officers (ETOs) despite the fact that a mobile wing of the department was in operation to check trucks. Mr Harbhajan Singh, chairman, Punjab State Goods Transport Association and guest of honour at the meeting, lambasted the government for such policies that were threatening to eliminate the goods transport industry in the state. He said the industry was virtually on the death bed and the proposed toll tax policy for branch roads, if implemented, would prove a last nail in the coffin for transporters. The meeting, while adopting the budget for the next year, also decided to take up several projects for public welfare and benefit of members, which included holding a free medical check-up camp and interaction with officials of Transport and Traffic Police Departments to educate truckers about traffic rules and issuance of HTV licenses. |
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Ban Valentine’s Day functions, demands sewa sangh Ludhiana, February 11 A meeting of the sangh was held here today. It was chaired by Mr Deepak Gupta. It was observed at the meeting that youth of the day were being influenced by Western culture. They were adopting western festivals and neglecting their own festivals such as Holi, Baisakhi, Diwali and Lohri. The meeting also resolved that the sangh, which had been founded with the purpose of bringing social awakening, would continue to oppose all intrusions on the Indian culture and tradition. The meeting, which was attended, among others, by Mr Suresh Gupta, Mr Mangal Passi, Mr Inderpal Malhotra, Mr Rajiv Chauhan, Mr. Raju Dhiman, Mr Dalip Kanojia and Baba Gyan Chand unanimously urged the government to impose a ban on all Valentine’s Day functions. Hotels and restaurants were misleading the youth by making tempting offers to them. Similarly, activities of all multi-national companies, which were marketing “obscene” Valentine’s Day greeting cards, audios and CDs for the sake of profit, should also be curbed, demanded the sangh. |
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Stone laid for roads Ludhiana, February 11 Ms Kashmir Kaur explained in detail the complete and ongoing development works in different localities in the ward and also focused on other works which were in the planning stage. She said development works worth Rs 37.46 lakh had been completed. Mr Ashok Kumar, former councillor, and functionaries of the Akash Nagar Welfare Society, including its president Jagjit Singh, also
addressed the function. Meanwhile, City Mayor Nahar Singh Gill assured the Lalu Mal Street Shopkeepers Association that the problems related to sewerage, roads and streetlights in the commercial centre would be settled within the next month. Speaking at the general body meeting of the association here last evening, Mr Gill said the civil body was responsive to the needs of the trading community and efforts were on to provide better infrastructure and amenities to the city population. Mr Harish Chander Aggarwal, president of the association, pointed out that the hosiery and shawl market remained a neglected area despite paying of charges and other taxes.
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Residential block stone laid Mandi Gobindgarh, February 11 Mr Sadhu Singh Dhramsot, MLA, Amloh, appealed to the Congress workers to work for the success of the party. The general secretary of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, Mr Joginder Singh Maini, appealed to the people to vote for the Congress. Mr Pawan Goyal donated Rs 5 lakhs for the development of the hospital. He
is a new trustee of the hospital.
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No civic amenities despite funds Amloh, February 11 The SAD-BJP government had given funds to the civic body more than Rs 1 crore, but public funds provided by the government have failed to give relief to the people said Mr Dalip Singh Pandhi, former minister while talking to the media persons here yesterday. Mr Pandhi said sewerage work in the town was started on Nabha Road and Rs 20 lakh were spent over it. Thereafter, Rs 70 lakh were provided to the council during Sangat Darshan in December, 2000, which was spent on other works. The sewerage work remained untouched. He sought a high-level inquiry for utilisation of funds.
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Local lad does city proud Doraha, February 11 Sunny is looking forward to taking a bigger leap in the near future. Sunny exulted over his achievement says: “I took part in the Prime Minister’s Rally on January 27 and had a chance to meet the President of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 29.” Recalling his achievement, he says: “I had to undergo rigorous training at various selection camps before making it to the final show. My first camp was at Phillaur CATC where I performed the role of a cadet. Then I attended another CATC camp at Doraha. I attended the third camp at Jalandhar
DCATC-I, and yet another, DCATC-II, at Chandigarh. In the fifth camp at Chandigarh, I was selected for the
RDC, which is also known as pre-RD Camp. My last camp was at Delhi i.e. the RDC-2004”. “My fellow cadets and I had to undergo regular drilling and training in all types of weather conditions. Strict discipline and code of conduct implemented on us made us view life from an entirely different angle,” he adds. Sunny Bhardwaj says the RDC-2004 has inspired him to think about the final aim of his life i.e. to become an Army officer and pursue it thoughtfully and seriously. My participation in RDC-2004 enabled me to undergo an entirely new experience i.e. of meeting and getting close to cadets from all over the country. He added that those VIPs, whom he had only watched on the television or read about in newspapers, were present at the celebrations and met them personally. He thanked his parents — Mr L.C. Bhardwaj and Mrs Kiran Bhardwaj — for support, besides Principal of the college, Mr Jaswant Singh Gill, ANO (Second-Lieut S.S. Virk), CO Major
Mullick, who assisted him in his efforts and helped him reach the RDC-2004. |
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Common grey hornbill pair sighted Ludhiana, February 11 The male’s black casque is longer and pointed. Dr Jain said the bird produced a noisy voice with a strangely high-pitched squealing. He added that it was an inhabitant of open wooded country, parks and gardens. Often seen in sweeping flights between trees or perched on the tree branches, it has a special characteristic that during hatching of eggs in the nest, which was usually in the hollow trunk of a tree, the female is sealed with mud by the male, keeping a small opening for ventilation and food. The male caters to the needs of the female during this period. The female sheds its feathers and only after hatching the seal is opened. It is an endangered bird and protected
under schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. This bird is commonly called ‘dhanesh’ in UP, Bihar and central India. It is trapped and killed to make oil by traditional healers and in the north-east its beautiful beak is used as a headgear. About four years ago, one such bird was rescued by the PFA and released, when it was able to fly, in a forest near Doraha. |
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City gearing up for Maha Shivaratri Ludhiana, February 11 The Lok Kalyan Social Welfare Society, in collaboration with Jai Baba Balak Nath Amarnath Sewa Samiti, Mahavir Sewak Sangh and the Iqbal Ganj Road Shopkeepers' Association, would hold Shiva
poojan. |
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Jyoti Arora wins cooking contest Ludhiana, February 11 Ms Jyoti Arora got the first prize while Ms Veenu Aggarwal and Ms Shashi Chopra won the second and third prizes, respectively. The consolation prizes were given to Ms Meena Maini, Ms Rajni and Ms Preeti Chabra. The winners received gift vouchers from LG Electronics.
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Went to renew bus pass, manhandled Ludhiana, February 11 ‘‘He grabbed me by the collar and pushed me. I had to come back without getting the pass renewed,” said Mr Watts.
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Two killed in road mishaps Ludhiana, February 11 The complainant had stated that the accused, who was driving a truck, had hit a motorcyclist, Bimal Kumar, a resident of Baldev Nagar Camp, Ambala City, as a result of which the victim was killed on the spot. The Civil Lines police yesterday registered a case under Sections 279 and 304-A of the IPC on the statement of Mr Ranjeet Singh, a resident of Jalajana village falling under the jurisdiction of Khanna Sadar police station, against the unidentified driver of a vehicle that allegedly hit head constable Kashmira Singh on November 4 last. The constable succumbed to his injuries yesterday.
Cases of theft:
On the statement of Mr Amarjit Singh, a resident of Gobind Nagar, Daba village, the Shimla Puri police on Tuesday registered a case under Section 379 of the IPC against an unidentified person who allegedly stole away a Tata-407 vehicle. No arrest has been made so far. The division number 6 police on Monday registered a case under sections 457 and 380 of the IPC on the statement of Mr. Arvind Rai, a resident of Textile Colony in Industrial Area-A, against unknown person(s) who broke open the lock of his factory on the intervening night of February 8-9 and decamped with nickel worth Rs 5,000. The police said today that it was yet clueless about the theft. The Focal Point police registered a case under Section 380 of the IPC on the statement of Mr Suresh Singh, a resident of Allapur village in Siban district of Bihar, now living in Makkar Colony at Dhandari Kalan, against Parmod, a migrant from Bihar living in Raj Lal Da Vehra in the same locality. The complainant had stated that the accused had stolen a CD player and a mobile phone form his house on Monday morning. The police said today that the accused was arrested and the stolen goods were recovered from his possession. Cheque
bounce cases:
The complainant had alleged that he had paid Rs 1.2 lakh to the accused who gave a cheque towards repayment. But the cheque was not honoured by the bank concerned. The accused had committed a fraud on him, he alleged. The Focal Point police on Tuesday registered a case under Sections 406 and 420 of the IPC on the statement of Mr Nitin Sharma, who runs an industrial unit at Focal Point, against Rohit Kumar Jain, partner in a sales corporation operating from Industrial Area 'A'. The complainant had alleged that the accused had bought some goods from the company and given a cheque against payment, but the same was not honoured by the bank concerned. Assaulted:
Injured:
The police on Tuesday registered a case under Sections 279 and 427 of the IPC on the statement of Mr Gurkirpal Singh, a resident of Phase-II, Urban Estate, Focal Point, against Chander Bhan, a resident of Rajasthan. The complainant had alleged that the accused, who was driving a truck, had hit his car as a result of which he was injured and the car was damaged. Liquor seized:
The Sahnewal police on Tuesday arrested Mohammad Hussain, a migrant from Bengal living at Kohara village and booked him under the Excise Act following seizure of nine bottles of country liquor from his possession. Knives seized:
The Sahnewal police has arrested Ajay Kumar, a resident of a slum colony located near the railway station at Sahnewal, and seized a ‘kamanidar’ knife from his possession. He has been booked under the Arms Act. Man arrested:
Fraud alleged:
Instalments not paid:
Injured:
Knife seized:
Liquor seized:
Gamblers booked:
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Man booked for bigamy Ludhiana, February 11 The complainant said his daughter Jasbir Kaur had been married with Jagdev Singh in December, 1994, and that accused Mohinder Kaur was living at Jagdev Singh’s house and had illicit relations with him, as a result of which his daughter was living with him.
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SSI hails panel’s suggestions on steel Ludhiana, February 11 According to a press release, a meeting of the federation was held here yesterday under the chairmanship of its president, Mr Joginder Kumar. It welcomed the committee’s denouncement of rising steel prices and the artificial scarcity created by steel producers. The committee had also pointed out that the continuous rise in steel prices was adversely affecting the business in the small-scale sector. The meeting observed that in order to provide level playing field to the small-scale sector, the custom duty on prime steel should be reduced to 10 per cent from 20 per cent as per the recommendations of the Kelkar Committee. It also demanded that the custom duty on secondary and defective material should also be brought down to 5 per cent from 40 per cent. It observed, “It is a mockery that the custom duty on secondary and defective material has been raised to 40 per cent from 20 per cent at the behest of vested interests, whereas custom duty on prime material has come down to 20 per cent from 40 per cent.” |
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Non-tobacco biri launched Ludhiana, February 11 It has been developed from leaves of abundantly available plants. It contains no tobacco, no nicotine, no tobacco specific nitrosamines, chemicals or addictives, the company claims. Mr Surinder Khanna, business head of Dalmia Consumer Care, in a press statement said, “We have a vision of a tobacco-free world in northern India. With close to 27,000 crore tobacco biris consumed every month, north is the second largest consumer of tobacco biris in the country. The launch of Vardan is a step forward in helping prevent people becoming victims of the 25 deadly diseases related to smoking.” |
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Avon Cycles to reopen today Ludhiana, February 11 The striking workers had threatened to hold a demonstration on February 15 to protest against the dismissal of some of them. |
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