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Two labourers buried as well wall caves in
Mandi Ahmedgarh, December 6 Though the civil and police authorities maintained that the rescue operations had been going on uninterrupted, local SAD leader accused the administration of inaction. Mr Ajaib Singh of Manki village and Chhinder Singh of Bapla village (both villages under Malerkotla sub-division) were working in the fields of Baldev Singh of Seeloani village on Sunday when the side walls of a well they were digging collapsed and they got buried. Eyewitnesses informed the residents on the public announcement system of the village gurdwara following which a large number of farmers rushed to the site with various implements for the rescue operations. Unfortunately, the side of the well collapsed again today when the labourers had dug around 40 feet and were about to reach the bottom. Jiwan Singh of Seeloani village, Satnam Singh of Bapla village and Iqbal Singh of Jhordan got buried, but were later rescued. They were shifted to Civil Hospital Sudhar village. After the incident, the rescue operation was hampered. Senior SAD leader Jathedar Jagdev Singh Talwandi accused the administration of inaction and alleged that despite repeated requests by the local leaders the rescue operation was not speeded up. Mr Prem Chand, SDM, Raikot, on the other hand, denied the charges and claimed that the rescue operation had been going on uninterruptedly since the last evening when the information regarding the incident was received by the administration. He said Mr Hirdayjit Singh, tehsildar, and Mr Gurpartap Singh, naib tehsildar, had been supervising the operations. “However due to the sandy nature of the soil we have to be extra vigilant. Manual digging is required at many stages before the mechanical equipment put into service by the residents and the Block Development Office,” he stated. On the basis of information received from DSP, Raikot, Mr Harjit Singh Brar, Mr Rajiv Ahir, SSP, Jagraon, said the police had to face a tough time in managing the situation there. “As the people fail to apprehend the possible mishappening during the such an operation, it becomes more important to protect other lives,” he briefed.
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Probe ordered into
fraud by Global Info
Ludhiana, December 6 A team of the alleged victims had returned empty-handed from Bangalore where they had gone to check the status of the head office of the company. The office was found closed and there was no news about the officials. Many investors, belonging to other parts of the country, were also inquiring about the whereabouts of the accused officials in that city. SSP Narinderpal Singh directed SP-Detective Gurpreet Singh to conduct investigation into the multi-crore fraud after a delegation of the victims met him and submitted a complaint in this regard. They had demanded registration of a case against the company officials, Jay Kumar and Steven David, managing the local office here. The SSP told Ludhiana Tribune that the fraud was quite sensational and he had told the alleged victims to furnish as much documentary proof as possible to strengthen the hands of the police. The bank accounts of the company have already been found empty by the victims. Mr Pal Singh, a city resident and spokesperson for the victims, told Ludhiana Tribune that the head office of the company in Banglore was also found locked and no one had any clue about the whereabouts of the officials. The victims claim that the officials had planned their disappearance. They had last week pasted notices outside their offices saying the company would remain closed for two days but the offices were not opened. The accused officials had decamped with the registration and security deposit of nearly 700 computer professionals-cum-investors and had not paid them the dues of last several months. The payment cheques made to the investors in the past few months had also bounced. People had invested from Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 8 lakh with the company. Though the basic registration fee for becoming an investor was Rs 5,000 many had taken up multiple job registration and had further The job profile of the company required the youths to do various computer-related work like typing pages of books, making designs and other files for some England-based companies and websites. For a registration amount of Rs 5,000, a person got an assignment of 60 pages per month. He was paid Rs 50 per page. Most of the youths thus signed for multiple jobs by depositing Rs 5,000 extra for each job. Many deposited up to Rs 8 lakh and made their own chain of employee who worked on line from their residences only.
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Basant, Bindra to meet CM, demand action
Ludhiana, December 6 Incensed at the allegations of being “corrupt” and having “dubious characters”, the leaders including Mr Rajinder Singh Basant and Mr Surinder Singh Bindra, a LIT trustee, have decided to call on the Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh tomorrow and bring everything to his notice. Talking to The Tribune here today, Mr Basant said that they would have gone to the CM today only but due to his being busy with the visit of Pakistan Prime Minister, Mr Pervaiz Elahi, they would be going to him tomorrow. Mr Nahar Singh Gill, the city Mayor would not be able to accompany them as he has Mr Bindra said that besides demanding disciplinary action against Mr Garcha, he would file a defamation case against him tomorrow. ‘‘I wanted to speak to the chairman before filing the suit. But he was away to Muktsar today so I will talk to him in the evening over the provocation that forced him to malign us publically.” he said. The remarks of Mr Garcha has shaken the Congress leadership but the District Congress Committee President, Mr Jagmohan Sharma, has referred the matter to Mr H.S. Hanspal, President, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee. He added that it was not a local matter so it was up to the president to solve the issue. Meanwhile, Mr Bindra termed the allegations “disappointing” and with any provocation. He said that decision of next chairman of the LIT was not in the hands of Mr Garcha but the CM. He added that the chairman could not digest the fact that he was being named among the contenders for the post. Levelling counter-allegations at him, Mr Bindra said that he was the only one among the 46 chairmen of the LIT in whose tenure the development of the city had taken a backseat. “He had been levelling allegations against the trustees also and then withdrawing his statements. Within less than two years time he has made 10 to 12 such statements and then withdrawn them. This time it has been too much. He has put the entire party in a difficult situation by calling its leaders as corrupt and bearing dubious character,” he added.
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5 armed men take away businessman’s jeep
Ludhiana, December 6 Alertness shown by a maidservant seems to have prevented more loss as she raised the alarm and ran out of the house locking the main door after her. The robbers had to bang open the door in order to flee as people had gathered outside the house. The incident took place at 2.30 pm at the house of Mr D B Saharan. There were two servants in the house. One of them. Rajesh was tied with a rope and forced tohand over the keys of
the vehicle. However, another servant, managed to escape and locked the main gate from outside while raising the alarm. DSP Ravcharan Singh Brar said they were registering a case of robbery against unknown persons. He said as per the statement of the servants the robbers were carrying pistols and sharp-edged weapons. He said the police was also investigating if the family had personal enmity with anyone.
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Congress leadership feels upset over Garcha’s remarks
Ludhiana, December 6 The District Congress Committee (DCC) president, Mr Jagmohan Sharma, was guarded in his reaction. He said, he had no problems with the functioning of the Mayor and he was doing his job well. When asked whether the DCC would recommend any action against Mr Garcha for going public on an issue which he could raise in the party fora or bring into notice of the government in confidence, Mr Sharma said, it was up to the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president, Mr H.S. Hanspal to take any action. He said, he was not in a position to make any comment on the issue. Mr Nahar Singh Gill did not want to react but clarified that the mere allegations by one particular person did not mean that he should react. However, he said, his functioning was too transparent. He pointed out, he had not been thrust from above, while making an oblique dig at Mr Garcha, who has been nominated as the chairman, but had been duly elected by a legal process. He asserted, “I have remained in public life for over four decades and whatever I do is always under public scrutiny...I do not need to give explanations on the allegations made by a rootless person who must have submitted his resignation at least six times and later withdrawn it”. Mr Gill maintained that he would take up the issue at the appropriate fora and would not like to go “mad”. The Congress circles were feeling embarrassed the way Mr Garcha has behaved during his tenure as he tends to resign after every couple of months and then takes it back. They maintained, Mr Garcha might be honest, but he needed to justify his position by way of action also. “It should be his actions that should speak rather than betraying his helplessness”, a senior Congress leader said, while adding, if he (Mr Garcha) feels so helpless why does he not call it a day instead of repeatedly withdrawing his resignations.
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CM's stand on river waters lauded
Amloh, December 6 Mr Dharmsot lauded the stand of the Chief Minister on river waters and power supply to rural sector, besides the empowerment of Panchayati Raj institution. Council Chief Baldev Singh Aulakh welcomed the guests. Mr Baini and Mr Puri assured farmers and commission agents to get their problems redressed on priority basis. Mr Pakhar Singh Salana, Chairman, Jilla Parishad Dr. Sawtantar Karkara, State Secretary, Punjab Pradesh Congress, Mr. Jagmeet Singh Sahota Vice- President Gobindgarh Council, Mr. Harinder Bhambri, Congress leader congratulated the Chairman and Vice – Chairman. District Mr Beant Singh Secretary Market Committee thanked the guests. District mandi officer Ramesh Gupta, Mr. D S Rana DSP, BDO, N S Grewal, Ms. Jaspal Kaur Naib Tehsildar were also present at the function.
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Campaign against councillor opposed
Ludhiana, December 6 Addressing a news conference here today in the presence of Mr Talwar and Mr Rakesh Parashar, both councillors, some residents of the Ram Nagar locality maintained that the gate put up at the entry of the main road between Ram Nagar and Hargobind Nagar had nothing to do with the marriage palace of Mr Talwar, located at a little distance. The residents said they had raised voluntary contribution for the gate and had also prevailed upon the civic authorities for the construction of a speed breaker on the road in the wake of speeding vehicles causing accidents. The gate put up at the entry point would check the free movement of heavy vehicles on this road which posed a threat to life and property of the people. Prominent among others present were Mr Raj Kumar Ravinder, Mr Surinder Kumar, Mr Gurcharan Singh, Mr Gurinder Singh, Mr Taranjeet Singh, Mr Ashok Kumar Chopra, Mr Joginder Singh, Mr Som Nath Tandon, Mr Kashmiri Lal, Mr Kasturi Lal, Mr Joginder Singh, Mr Jatinder Tandon, Mr Harbans Lal Talwar, Mr Surjeet Singh Chopra, Mr Pawan Kumar, Mr Buta Ram, Mr Ramesh Malhotra and Mr Walaiti Ram.
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Youth SAD(A) to restore moral values
Ludhiana, December 6 Talking to reporters after assuming the office, Mr Mann pointed out, there was an alarming trend among the Sikh youth that they were forgetting their culture. He regretted that the Sikh institutions like the SGPC, which should take up this responsibility were instead busy with other things. He said, his organisation will soon be launching awareness campaign among the Sikhs while telling them about the moral values and the rich Sikh tradition. Mr Mann’s appointment was necessitated after Mr Balwinder Singh Bains defected to the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) along with some other supporters. Mr Simranjit Singh Mann, the president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) regretted that he (Mr Bains) had betrayed the party which had groomed and nurtured him. He revealed that he had prayed today that the “traitors like Mr Bains should meet the same fate as that of (Sant) Harchand Singh Longowal, Mr Balwant Singh a former Finance Minister and Mr Harminder Singh Sandhu”. The
SAD(A) chief warned Mr Parkash Singh Badal not to trust such people as “Sikhs have a history of winning the confidence of their enemies and then harming them like they did to Indira Gandhi”. He said, in case Mr Badal is harmed the same way, the
SAD(A) should not be blamed for it. Earlier Mr Mann presided over a meeting of the senior leaders of the party, who included district presidents and SGPC members also. They included Prof Jamohan Singh, Mr Charan Singh Lohara and others.
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Resident maintaining public park
Ludhiana, December 6 Ms Pappu Abnash Singh, social worker and resident of Dugri Road, said she had taken the responsibility of the maintenance of the park in June, 2002, and since then she had been paying from her pocket for it while the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation (LMC) had not given her a penny. The park, which is well maintained, is like a whiff of fresh air for the residents of the area who throng it for a morning and evening walk. ‘‘I pay Rs 2,000 per month to the gardener besides paying for pesticides, fertilisers and other appliances. But nobody has ever visited to see whether it is being maintained or not,’’ she said. ‘‘Even if the MC decides to pay me half the salary of the gardener, it owes me Rs 29,000. I have never demanded the money. I have never asked my neighbours to contribute also. They can’t pay but I like their visits to the park to relax. Whatever I want is some words of appreciation.’’ she added. The social worker said she had decided to maintain it herself seeing its bad condition. Since then she had left no stone unturned to make it look beautiful by planting various trees, flowers and other ornamental plants. ‘‘I wanted that the SDM should have at least come and seen our park. What kind of survey are they doing if they are not visiting all the areas to take stock of the situation?’’ she questioned.
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Foundation Day of
Civil Defence celebrated
Ludhiana, December 6 Mr Verma said in the time of war or natural calamities the cooperation of the people always proves to be a deciding factor on matter what preparations have been made by the administration. It has been noticed that it is the people on the spot who swing into action while it takes some time for the authorities to rush to the aid of the victims. He said Civil Defence was raised after Independence to deal with natural calamities and to rush to the aid of their neighbours in such times. Basic first aid training was also imparted to the villagers along our borders. Since Punjab is a border state, the volunteers were
also trained to escort villagers to safe spots at the time of air raids and help troops stationed on the borders in the event of a military buildup, he added. Mr Verma said the volunteers had done a commendable job during the military buildup across the international border three years back and the floods which ravaged the state recently. The volunteers educated the people about the black-outs and air raid sirens besides shifting the injured in case of bombardment, he added. Even though our relations with our neighbour are cordial now but the volunteers are not sitting idle and working for the betterment of society. The AIDS awareness campaign launched by them is highly commendable, he said. The need of the hour is that the volunteers cover all senior secondary schools in the districts
so that the youngsters could be educated about the deadly disease. They should also train them in civil defence, he added. Mr Baruta said that they have been educating the people and youngsters about what to do during an air raid siren, warning systems, snake bites
and mouth to mouth resuscitation. He added that 50 teachers of various schools had been imparted training in this context, he added.
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Tributes paid to Dr Ambedkar
Ludhiana, December 6 Addressing a largely attended function organised by the Bharatiya Valmiki Dharam Samaj
(BVDS) at the Municipal Corporation premises here today, MC Commissioner S.K. Sharma observed that Dr Ambedkar had ensured empowerment of Dalits and grant of equal status to them in the Indian society through various provisions in the Constitution of the country. He stressed that members of Dalit community should strive to educate their children so that they could become self-sufficient and keep pace with modern times. National convener of the BVDS Vijay Danav claimed that the organisation was committed to propagate the ideals and philosophy of Dr Ambedkar. He said following in the foot steps of the great leader would be the real homage to him. Prominent among others present at the function were Mr Lakshman Dravid, Choudhry Yash Pal, Mr Veer Mohan Chauhan and Mr Ashwani Sahota. Mr Surinder
Dawar, Parliamentary Secretary, Power and Housing, Punjab garlanded a statue of Dr Ambedkar at a function organised by Dr Ambedkar Chetna Sangh. Describing the great leader as a beacon of light, father of Indian Constitution and a tireless worker for emancipation of Dalits and the women, Mr Dawar dwelt on several welfare schemes of the Punjab government aimed at the empowerment of scheduled castes families. Among others, Mr Ram Chand Sagar, Mr Nihal Chand Diwana and Mr Mohan Lal Zakhmi also paid tributes to Dr Ambedkar, landing the work done by him for the welfare of dalit community and other weaker sections. Dr
B.R. Ambedkar Samaj Sudhar Samiti held a march to mark the death anniversary of Dr Ambedkar. Led by functionaries of the samiti, the workers, carrying placards, commenced the march from Barewal Road which, passing through Bharat Nagar Chowk, Old Courts Chowk, Domoria Bridge and Old Sabzi Mandi, reached Jalandhar Bypass Chowk where garlands were offered to the statue of Dr Ambedkar.
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Delay in commercial scheme to be probed
Khanna, December 6 Mr Jindal said it would be probed that in which circumstances shopkeepers had approached the court. Mr. Jindal said he would talk to the shopkeepers and try to reach any amicably solution. He said the actual rights of the shopkeepers would be protected. Taking a serious note on the maintenance of Guru Amar Dass Commercial Market, he said he had wrote to the Executive Officer, Municipal Council, to take measures for proper maintenance of the market. In case the council failed to do so action would be taken and scheme would be taken back. The Chairman said he would also look why the meeting of site selection committee had not been convened on November 23.
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DMCH tiff: probe report submitted
Ludhiana, December 6 In his report, the Investigating officer said, “It does not seem appropriate to accept the version of any side regarding the fight because the duty of security guard (Kunwar Singh) was not on that place. So his statement that Ms Rajwant Kaur had stopped him from obeying his duty and slapped him seems doubtful”. He also said that proofs suggest the allegation of Ms Rajwant that Mr Kunwar Singh had misbehaved with her, was also baseless. Mr Hans Raj said as far as the act in which Ms Rajwant allegedly slapped Kunwar Singh was concerned, the proofs provided by the latter did not match with the witness. The statements of the witness created doubts whether the episode of slapping took place or not. Only a quarrel had taken place and regarding it, action will be taken according to rules, said the officer.
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Reconstruct Babri mosque, demand Muslims
Ludhiana, December 6 Led by Mr Atiq-u-Rehman, Punjab unit president of the Indian Muslim Council, the protesters said the issue concerned the entire Muslim community and people had sentimental attachment with it. They hoped that the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government at the Centre and Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav in UP would help in reconstruction of the mosque at Ayodhya. The Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) led by Mr Simranjit Singh Mann held a special path in memory of the Babri mosque. Mr Mann said his party stood for the minority rights and was opposed to victimisation of the minorities.
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YC activists burn effigy of terrorism
Ludhiana, December 6 Speaking at the occasion, Mr Mehta observed that the terrorists in J and K had stepped up their attacks against security forces to negate the effect of several steps taken by the government to improve bilateral relations between India and Pakistan including reduction of Army units in the disturbed state. He asserted that the people of India and the security forces would continue their fight against militants and those trying to damage the unity and integrity of the country. Among others present at the occasion were Mr Nirmal Singh Virk, Secretary, Punjab Youth Congress, Mr Arun Bedi, Mr Kuldip Tejwar, Mr Nek Chand, Mr Kewal Arora, Mr Anil Sharma, Mr Pritpal Singh, Mr Hardeep Singh, Mr Ranjit Guddu, Mr Rehman Shah, Mr Rakesh Gupta, Mr Rajinder Kumar, Mr Ravinder Singh, Mr Ravi Sharma, Mr Neeraj Kumar, Mr Hemant Kumar, Mr Gurjinder Singh and Mr Lalit Kumar.
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MC chief felicitated
Mandi Gobindgarh, December 6 Addressing a mammoth gathering Ms Razia Sultana, Chairperson of the Punjab Waqf Board and Parliamentary Secretary reiterated the stand of the state government to continue fight against corruption. Appreciating the role of Mr Sinder Singh in strengthening the party base in the rural area of the constituency she assured that honest workers and leaders of the society would be recognized irrespective of the individual alliances. She called upon the ran and file of the administration to bring transparency in their routine work. Thanking for the confidence posed in him and his team of members the newly appointed chairman assured that Market Committee would make all efforts to redress the grievances of the farmers and commission agents. Mr Mukesh Sharma, Executive Magisterarte, Dr K.C. Goel DHO, Ms Mukhtiar Kaur, Chairperson Block Samiti, Mr Jagpal Singh Khangura and Mr Sukhdev Singh Walia President Truck Operators Union were honored for their distinguished contributions in respective fields. Mr Rajnish Kumar President, Mr Ravinder Puri, Mr Jatinder Bhola former Vice-President, Mr Sham Sunder, Mr Tarsem Sharma , Mr Pawan Sharma spoke on the occasion.
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2 held, liquor seized
Jagraon, December 6 Booked for Assault:
Kapil , Sanju and some others are alleged to have assaulted Devilal, a resident of Lajpat Rai Road Jagraon as the injured objected Kapil and Sanju when they were found fixing posters on the wall of his house. The local police has registered a case under section 323, 325, 34 of the IPC on the statement of
Devilal. Poppy husk seized: The Dehlon police recovered 70.400 kg of poppy husk from maruti car No DL-4C-3179 from the area of village Bool. However the occupants of the car managed to flee. The car is alleged to be without documents. A case under section 15-61-85 of the NDPS Act has been registered against unknown persons. Injured woman dies: Ms Gurmel Kaur, 55 of Hathur was hit by some unknown motor cyclist, near her village and sustained serious injuries when she alongwith one Amarjit Kaur were returning to their homes from the fields, according to the information. The injured was taken to Gurunanak Hospital Hathur by the motorcyclist who finding the injured in serious condition fled away on the pretext to arrange some other vehicle. Later her relations brought the injured to civil hospital Jagraon where she died.
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Cloth shop burgled
Ludhiana, December 6
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Hosiery, steel workers protest against govt policies
Ludhiana, December 6 Addressing the workers Suresh Kumar of the Hosiery Workers Union blamed the Centre and State governments for increasing inflation and for ruining the business of hosiery. He said there are over 15,000 hosiery units in Ludhiana that provide employment to more than five lakh workers. However due to inflation many are being rendered jobless and many are facing exploitation at the hands of owner. He alleged that owners were exploiting workers by reducing rates payable under piece wage system and at times even throwing the workers out of factory premises. But the government does not take any action in this regard. President of the Moulder and Steel Workers Union Mohan Singh and secretary Mahender Singh said that the state government, in the name of industrial development and improvement in labour laws, was only harming the labourers. The workers also held protest rallies at various places, including Dashmesh Nagar, Radha Swami Road and Chet Nagar.
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