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Mother fights her own parents for
Chandigarh, April 16 This is exactly what Karamjit Kaur’s parents did to her. They abandoned her scabies-infected infant on the rotary of Sectors 43 and 52 in Chandigarh and told her they had left the child with some relatives. This they did when Karamjit was seeking treatment for a cancerous growth at the PGI and was in no position to either doubt her parents or question them. But the girl could not be forced into ignorance for long. Soon as she discovered the wrong her parents had done to her, she got them booked for criminal negligence and wilful neglect of her child. She deposed against her father and got him arrested for the offence. The “shattered” girl did not stop at that. She approached the court and sought justice for herself and her sick child. And to her amazement, justice came yesterday when the District Court in Chandigarh passed a pathbreaking order, ending the forced separation of the child from his mother. Judicial Magistrate (Ist Class) ruled in favour of the mother, granting her interim custody of the child, which had been lodged at the Missionaries of Charity Home in Sector 23, Chandigarh. Significant to note is the fact that the court granted the mother interim custody of the child on the basis of her affidavit. Time was not wasted in waiting for the DNA reports which may take long to arrive. A member of the Chandigarh Child Welfare Committee (constituted under the Juvenile Justice Act), Ms Madhu Singh, told The Tribune today, “Once DNA reports come in, the mother will be granted permanent custody of the child.” At the Mother Teresa Home in Sector 23, the situation was naturally overwhelming as Karamjit, her husband Raj Kumar and son Suraj reunited after “ages”. Happy though Karamjit was, she was restive still. Bitter with her parents, especially her father, who is still not regretful, she said, “I have not withdrawn the case against my father. He must pay for his crimes.” On the personal front, Karamjit has severed all ties with her family, which lives in Kajheri village at Chandigarh. She insists on being called an orphan. “My parents never accepted my marriage with Raj Kumar. We got married in Delhi with other orphans. Later, we went to Bihar where I fell seriously ill. I was worried about my child and hoped my parents would take care of him if I died.” But Karamjit’s hopes were soon belied. Let alone caring for the child, her parents discarded him, and very cowardly at that. It was only when a hapless mother landed in the police post of Kajheri that she came to know that ASI Azad Singh had saved a child some months ago and left it at the Mother Teresa Home. The child was Karamjit’s Suraj. |
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Heroin worth Rs 12 cr seized, 4 held
Chandigarh, April 16 The sources said the NCB officials had an information about certain drug peddlers, who were to pass through Asron. It was today afternoon that their efforts bore fruit when the officials stopped a Tata Indigo car (PB-02-AN-0405) and seized 4 kg of heroin. The officials arrested Manish Verma, a resident of Muksoodan Road in Jalandhar district, and his wife Komal. A case under the NDPS Act has been registered against the couple. During the preliminary interrogation, the couple gave information about other drug peddlers. Later in the evening, the officials arrested two more accused, Parkash Singh and Gurvinder Singh, travelling in a Scorpio Jeep (CH-03-R-1338) A search of the vehicle led to recovery of 8 kg of heroin. |
BCA student found hanging
Chandigarh, April 16 Amit was a student of Bachelor of Computer Application and was awaiting his result of a compartment examination. He left his home without informing any body in the morning. The police got an information in the evening that a motor cycle was lying abandoned near the jungle area. The SHO of Sector 11 police station said Amit’s father Raj Kumar, who was a manager of Central Bank, Sector 17, told the police that they did not suspect any body. He even expressed his ignorance to why his son took the extreme step. |
Jailbreak: accused moves court
Chandigarh, April 16 Mr Arvind Thakur, general-secretary of the local unit of the LHRI, demanded suitable compensation for the accused for mental and physical torture they suffered during the past one year. While framing charges against the accused recently, a local court had dropped the sedition charges against them. Meanwhile, Baljit Kaur, one of the accused, today moved the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate(CJM), Ms Neerja Kulwant Kalson, for action against the administration and police officials. Ms Kalson fixed April 29 for determining whether the petition was maintainable or not, sources said. The application alleged that the administration officials “maliciously created false documents so as to prosecute the accused for such offences which were not born out from the circumstances of the case.” |
Beware of Internet beggars
Chandigarh, April 16 With the Western Union Money Transfer becoming a household name, it is easy to send money to anyone anywhere in the world. And this is what the ‘net beggars’ are exploiting. Those familiar with ‘Internet Chat’ are probably not new to the concept of begging over the internet, but occasional internet users find it quite bothersome when someone gets after you persuading you to part with your money in a well devised manner. “When someone is talking to you over the web phone and suddenly pulls a long face and starts crying, it is very hard for anyone to refrain for asking about the reason. It becomes even harder to refuse money, if the person on the other end has been your acquaintance for the past few ‘chat sessions,” says Dr. Sumant Sharma, a net freak who says that the phenomenon of net begging is nothing new, but increasing by the day. School going Master Himanshu, a net addict, explains how it works. “Once you are on the net and go to a chat site, these people with identities like rzl_yabobs252000 or lovsum2001 or deadbug, etc request for a chat session, some even request a camera phone chat session. Some even use common names like John, Nathanial, etc to sound genuine. Usually people looking to while away their time accede to such requests. The excuses are similar, they all say they want to celebrate their birthday the next day and have no money or want to help a friend who is poor or help their neighbour’s family who is poor or father is sick or he or she is an orphan, etc. The idea simply is to evoke sympathy so that the ‘net chatter’ can offer help. Sometimes when the ‘net beggars’ feel that the person they are chatting with has a lot of money they could be very demanding and say things like “I have to go now, I have no money for now. If you pay for the chat, I can stay. You can pay through Western Union”. |
Holiday on Monday
Chandigarh, April 16 While it will be a holiday under the Negotiable Instruments Act in Punjab and Himachal, the banks in Haryana and Chandigarh will remain open. The Chandigarh Administration today announced that all its offices and educational institutions in the city will remain closed on Monday. However, the holiday will not be under the Negotiable Instruments (NI) Act. Offices of boards and corporations of the Chandigarh Administration will also remain closed. |
1-day strike by petrol dealers
Chandigarh, April 16 |
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What brings you to the city? I have come to create awareness on the community acquired pneumonia and the effectiveness of the drugs that are administered when the person acquires this infection, which is contagious and requires prompt treatment. Who are more prone to developing pneumonia infections? Pneumonia tends to affect the elderly more than the youngsters. Even the mortality among the aged is higher because their immunity is very low. Also people suffering from bronchitis, diabetes, heart and renal failure are at a much higher risk of developing pneumonia. Pneumonia is common among newborns How can people protect themselves from catching the infection? Exposure to sudden change of temperatures should be avoided. If a person complains of cough with sputum, breathing difficulty and high fever then he should be taken to a doctor immediately as these can be symptoms of pneumonia. — Neelam Sharma |
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Raids likely on users of online water pumps
Chandigarh, April 16 With the ban on watering of lawns and washing cars becoming effective from yesterday, officials of the corporation are also gearing to conduct surprise raids to challan residents using online boosters. These checks will be part of the campaign by the corporation to check misuse of water. Sources in the corporation said though some new tubewells were being dug up in Mani Majra and other pockets, the problem of water shortage could surface in the southern sectors and certain pockets in Mani Majra. Delay in completion of the Phase IV of the Kajauli Water Works, which could have given an additional 15 MGD water to the city, is bound to create problem in meeting the water requirement. “Even if the work is done on war footing, it cannot be completed by August, which means that the corporation will have to regulate the water supply in peak summer,” said an official. This year, the problem of low water pressure can surface in Sectors 37, 38, 48, 49, 51 and 52. Though new tubewells are being bored in Mani Majra, there can be problem in Shanti Nagar, Mani Majra town, Indira Colony, Pipliwala Town, Mauli Jagran and Gobindpura. Mr Surinder Singh, a councillor from Mani Majra, said three tubewells should be made functional in the next few days to meet the demand. He said there was problem of low water pressure. “All six tubewells sanctioned for the area should be made functional soon,” he demanded. The officials said the complaints of water not reaching the overhead tanks was more in the area where the residents were using online booster pumps. Many residents had constructed underground water tanks to meet their requirements. |
Four eateries get nod to use open space
Chandigarh, April 16 The corporation facility for according permission to late night joints in the open spaces in the markets began from yesterday onwards. On the first day the corporation accepted the applications of Pal Dhaba and Pal Resorts, both in Sector 28, Uttam Sweets, Sector 34, and Uttam Sweets, Sector 46. Sources said Bhatia Supermarket, Sector 35, was another applicant present at the MC office. As soon as the shutters for the day markets go down, the residents of the city can expect some life on the market pavements which in routine wear a dark deserted look by about 9 p.m. in a majority of the markets in the city. Informed sources in the corporation said that there were several more queries from those seeking permission. “I expect more applications from Monday onwards”, a senior official said. The permission for utilising open spaces to the dhabas is being given on trial basis. The corporation reserves the right to cancel permission to the sites which are unsuccessful in maintaining decent sorroundings at the venue. The corporation has also underlined the importance of maintaining cleanliness at the venue used for eating joints. Applicants are supposed to pay Rs 1000 per month while seeking permission to run the open spaces outside booths and Rs 2000 per month for running the open spaces outside shops. Permission will be given to shops and booths on a monthly basis. They will be required to deposit a security amount worth fee for two months each. Reliable sources in the corporation said that the eating shops will be allowed to use the open space in front of their shops after 8.15 p.m. till 10 p.m. Interested shopkeepers will mark the area for making seating arrangements by using nylon ropes. This area will not be an intrusion into the corridors in the shopping areas. |
Paneer wins them Pak friends and visa
Chandigarh, April 16 Off tomorrow on their first trip to Pakistan, their delight is tangible. Madhusudan recounts this sweet tale of friendship. “We met four Pakistani boys in the Sector 17 market during the India-Pakistan cricket match in Chandigarh. We got talking and we found that they, Kamran Malik, Atif, Muhammad Naeem and Naeem ‘Junior’, were deeply interested in how Indians live and what our culture is all about. We invited them to stay with us and had a wonderful time together,” he quips. What makes this visit spectacular is that it is an invitation of abiding and enduring camaraderie. Of the four young boys who stayed with the Sharmas, Kamran Malik, who lives in Lahore, is getting married to Bushra Zafar on April 23 and is very keen to have his new friends as a part of that special moment. The invitation and wedding card came by courier on April 10 and the Sharmas left for Delhi the very next day to try and get their visas for Pakistan. Madhusudan says the lines at the Pakistan Embassy visa counter were daunting to say the least. “There were more than 500 persons standing in line,” he says with a smile. Their efforts seemed to be going to naught. They were asked to come back in two days when a chance conversation with the Pakistani Visa Officer Ismail Khan changed their fortunes. Stirred by the story, Mr Khan issued them the visas in half an hour! Nisha has been speaking with Kamran’s mother regularly. “She wants us to pray from their side at the Harmandir Sahib when we stop at Amritsar tomorrow. She says we are one, just the border divides us.” The suitcases are packed and the goodies have been crammed. “We are carrying two bags loaded with presents for our four friends and their families,” says a beaming Madhusudan. Bed sheets and a jewellery box for the new bride, imitation jewellery sets, salwar kameezes, ‘Just Herbs’ herbal cosmetics (which were incidentally sent earlier with the boys and were lapped up by their sisters!), Punjabi jootis and t-shirts and a miniature version of the Taj Mahal for Atif! For the 10-day sojourn towards lasting bonds of amity, Nisha plans to carry paneer from Amritsar to Pakistan. Shahi paneer is to be the food of friendship ‘travelling’ on special request from the four young boys! |
Hurdles in progress of peace march Chandigarh, April 16 Speaking on the telephone to TNS today, Mr Pandey said: “Our entry to Pakistan may be delayed by two or three days as friends there are trying hard for the clearance.” The peace walkers reached Amritsar today. Earlier, the activists from Pakistan were able to join the march only on the 23rd day when permission was granted to nine persons to join it from across the border. Mr Pandey said: “Denial of visas to the Punjabi congress delegates is bad news, but we are hopeful that we will get the visas even if it means a delay by a few days.” Meanwhile, Pakistan has denied visas to a troupe of Indian musicians, including noted classical singer Shubha Mudgal. |
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No joy ride this, their mother has left them
Chandigarh, April 16 It is not a man doing something for charity but a man who has to take care of his children after his wife left them on March 1. Sunny Kumar’s daughter Sanjana (7) and son Hritik (3) have been aboard the vehicle since their mother Sushma (28) left home. They are out of school since then. Though Sunny Kumar (30) is deeply hurt and suspicious of his wife, yet he is ready to start afresh with his wife for the sake of the children. The man is doubly burdened — having to take care of the children and eke out a living. Sunny says he readies his children around 9 a.m. and leaves for work but has to return home by 5 p.m. to cook meals for them in the evening. His per day average income has come down from Rs 500 to Rs 200. Sunny, however, says he would put his children back in school as soon as it opens. With tears rolling down his cheek when the children were asked if they remember their mother, Sunny Kumar said they do. Children, however, say they did not remember her as father is always around them to fulfil their needs. Sanjana even says that their father never gets angry, unlike their mother. A migrant from Uttar Pradesh, Sunny Kumar owns the auto-rickshaw and a small tenement in Sector 52 and was earning a handsome amount for owning a house and a vehicle, but is now emotionally and economically shattered. He has appealed to his wife would understand the plight of the children and return home. Meanwhile, Sushma’s parents are also looking for her but she is not traceable. Sunny has also made a complaint to the Sector 61 police post but the police considers it a matter of her will to live on her terms. The woman can be booked for abandoning her children. Sunny says his wife had rung him up on his mobile, saying that she was going to look for a job along with a known person. Sushma had said she would return in the evening, he added, but never returned. |
Termites are here to stay
Chandigarh, April 16 And tasted it and found it good And that is why your cousin May Fell through the parlour floor today” -Ogden Nash Termites are here to stay. Chandigarh has dealt with the termite menace since its inception, but these insects have endured for millions of years and intensive efforts to remove these have gone in vain. The city, built on agricultural land, brought the termite in direct conflict with man for food and fibre on account of its predilection for a cellulose diet. Last year, the municipal corporation (MC) treated close to 3,000 trees affected by termites and this year in the “Greening Chandigarh” Action Plan — 2005 to 2006, “the MC will ensure the treatment of each and every infected tree within its jurisdiction.” The 70 to 80 trees lining the road near Government Museum are proof of the efficacy of the termite attack. The MC is treating these with a special termiticide and is hoping to see the results in a month from now. The Executive Engineer (Horticulture), Mr Raghbir Singh, from the municipal corporation says, “These trees are as old as the city and we are making every effort to try and save these. Dr S.K. Narula, Senior Extension Specialist (Horticulture), Punjab Agriculture University, believes the problem is so widespread that “irrespective of the species, almost all trees in the city are affected.” According to Mr S.K. Sharma, President, Environment Society of India, “Even the neem tree, which is bitter, has not been spared. I have seen at least 50 to 60 neem trees affected by termites.” According to senior citizens of the city, there are deep termite tunnels running underground and treating these tunnels is a virtual impossibility. Dr Narula believes, “With the passage of time, these would have sunk deep, almost 30 feet under the ground. Termites do not move laterally. Even if you treat the soil, how deep will the treatment go? The termites loop around taking circuitous routes to avoid the treated parts.” Dr Narula believes one way to attempt a breakthrough is “to study their life cycle, find the weakest link and hit the termite then.” The irony is that termites are very important in tropical ecosystems. Their unique ecological roles in breaking down wood and turning, aerating and enriching the soil are very important. However, Dr Narula believes termites will not die. “Chemicals can be used as repellents but nothing more.”
UNCOMMON FACTS ABOUT TERMITES
HOW TO TREAT YOUR GARDEN AND HOME
Garden:
Home:
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Unsafe drinking water
I live in Sector 8 of Panchkula. Well-boiled, 4 litres of drinking water leaves a tablespoon of white solid salts. Obviously, the water has inorganic soluble bicarbonates which settle down as carbonates when the water is boiled. This hardness of water is bad for washing purposes. The authorities concerned should get the water analysed from a competent authority to check whether such high concentration of minerals salts is fit for health? Prof B.S. Aggarwal Panchkula Poor sanitation must be a concern
Poor sanitation and bad conditions of roads, especially ‘B’ roads and those leading to the General Hospital in Sector 6, Panchkula, must be remedied. One wonders where are the crores of rupees from government coffers being spent. The health authorities should also wake up in time to avoid the spread of epidemic by water-borne diseases and vector-borne diseases due to mosquitoes. Steps also should be taken to avoid cesspools and for the removal of congress grass by deep ploughing and sprays. Dr Harish Khanna Panchkula
Obscenity on TV
It is good that the Central Government is going to bring in a legislation to prevent obscenity on television. The TV channels get inspiration from obnoxious features of the West which are tainted with the cult of violence, sexual promiscuity and nudity in the name of high fashion, modernity, art and freedom of expression. The proposed legislation must include
ban on the production of such programmes. D.R. Sharda
Ban buses within campus
Apropos a news item in Chandigarh Tribune dated March 25, 2005, “Row over school buses in housing complex”, I would like to say that I am a resident of this complex which is primarily meant for and allotted to Panjab University employees, both serving and retired. Unfortunately, some of the original owners sold their flats to outsiders (on power of attorney) who tried to constitute their own welfare society. Regarding the entry of buses, the roads here are narrow and with a big vehicle on the road, cars have to pull over as two vehicles can’t pass simultaneously. There are three entry points for the campus and the drivers of the school buses can be instructed to drop lchildren at the nearest gate. Ujagar Singh
Chandigarh
Road or defecation ground?
A few days ago I along with some NRIs visited Mohali and we noticed some jhuggis in Sector 48 of Mohali. The road is being used as a defecation ground. A lot of traffic flows on the road and it is not a good sight. The health authorities and the police should see to it that such a practice comes to a stop. A senior citizen from Chandigarh |
He needs help to fight cancer
Chandigarh, April 16 A rickshaw-puller in his healthier days, Katar Singh is at the mercy of generous people even since he was diagnosed with urinary bladder cancer last month. This only source of income has dried up and his problems have compounded, especially in the absence of any of his family member around him. The head of the urinary unit, Dr A.S. Bawa, has advised operation for which he requires Rs 50,000. Those willing to contribute can contact the patient at bed number 17, Block-A, level III, GMCH-32. |
Sabha seeks site for temple
Mohali, April 16 Mr N.R. Sharma, general secretary of the sabha, said no site had so far been allotted by (PUDA) for the mandir in Phase X. As such, the mandir had been set up in a small house which had been taken on rent. He said office-bearers of the sabha had met the Housing Minister and PUDA officials in connection with the allotment of the site several times during the past three years but to no avail. |
Rs 59,000, gold jewellery stolen
Chandigarh, April 16 Mr Chander Prakash Shukla of Shanti Nagar, Mani Majra, lodged a complaint that Rs 50,000 was stolen from his shop during the night of April 14. In a similar incident, Mr Sudesh Kumar of Bapu Dham Colony reported that Rs 9800, gold and silver ornaments and three wrist watches were stolen from his residence while he was away from his home. Two separate cases have been registered.
Liquor seized
The police arrested Sonu of Bhaskar Colony and seized 120 bottles of Rocket whisky from his residence last night. A case under the Excise Act has been registered. The accused was later released on bail.
Smack seized
The police arrested Banoo of Dadu Majra Colony and seized 8 grams of smack last night from his possession.
Held for gambling
Jatinder of Bapu Dham Colony was arrested allegedly for gambling at public place in the same locality last night.
Dowry
Ms Raj Rani of Dhanas reported that her husband Mohinder Singh, father-in-law Amar Singh, brother-in-laws, Ranjit and Surjit, all residents of Badhalu village in Karnal district were harassing and maltreating her to bring dowry. A case has been registered. |
Drunken driving lands 11 in police net
Chandigarh, April 16 The police has also issued 60 challans to offenders for various traffic rules violations. The SHO of Sector 3 police station said pickets were laid at Nayan Gaon Turn, Lake Turn, Kaimbwala turn, at Sector 10-11 separating road and near the British Library to nab the miscreants. He said six persons, Rakiv
Arya, Vikas Malik, Pardeep, Amrinder Singh, Sandeep and Naveen were held for rash and drunken driving. The police has booked them under Section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act and also impounded their vehicles. The police has also arrested five persons who were creating nuisance after gettingdrunk near the Kaimbwala liquor taverns. |
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Sleeping man run over by vehicle
Panchkula, April 16 The incident took place when a group of about 15 persons were sleeping on the road side of the Panchkula-Kalka National Highway last night. The Tata Sierra (HR-29D-7296) reportedly came from the complex and after hitting the man, slid in the gorge, about 50 feet away on the other side of road. The driver reportedly fled the scene. The victim, a cobbler by profession, was a resident of Chamkaur Sahib in Ropar and had come here for work. |
Rs 25,000 stolen from scooter
Mohali, April 16 According to the police, ASI Darbara Singh, posted at Police Headquarters in Chandigarh had withdrawn the amount from a bank in the afternoon and kept the money in the toolbox. Later, he parked it near the scooter market as he had to purchase something from the area. When he came back, he found that the toolbox was open and the money was missing. OC |
Theft in supermarket
Panchkula, April 16 The theft came to light when Mr Anil Kumar Gupta, owner of the market reached to open the shop this morning. A case has been registered and a team of forensic expert has been pressed into service. |
3G cellphones a big draw at Mobiletek
Chandigarh, April 16 Engineered for the executives always on the move, for the photographer on the lookout to capture once-in-a-lifetime moments in still photos or video, for the music lover who can not keep off his daily dose of music as well as for the player dabbling in online gaming from mini golf to a host of other options. Stylish and slick, the range of such handsets is as impressive as it can get. Mobile companies claim they have become the ideal, all-day companions that match your moves perfectly. Only they come at a cost that burns a hole in the common man’s pocket, as practically beyond the reach of the salaried class and yet, somehow, their market continues to grow month after month. Take the Nokia 9500 Communicator at Rs 35,500, opening up its user to numerous possibilities and Nokia 9300 which comes across as a ‘fashion statement’. There is an i-mate PDA2K, a Microsoft Windows Mobile Pocket PC Edition powered with the latest technology at Rs 43,500 and Sony Ericsson’s P910i with the “take you office wherever you go” tag line priced at Rs 40,000. All come equipped with the usual Bluetooth, GPRS, MMS features among many others. Available at various stalls at the three-day Mobiletek on at CII, they are attracting big crowds though these are not really transforming into buyers. However, the stall owners are not disillusioned since their idea at the event is to showcase the best they have on offer and sell out sets meant for low-end users as well as the youth on the lookout for sets upto date in technology and comparatively inexpensive. “We know there will be very little sale as far as these high-end sets are concerned. However, they are a good crowd puller and most of these curious onlookers translate into buyers for the sets ranging from anywhere between Rs 6,000 to Rs 10,000,” an exhibitor says. For the first time in the city since they set foot on Indian soil in November last year, British Telecommunication, rechristened O2, maintains that the real buyers for these sets comprise primarily of professionals and top businessmen. |
Industrial units seek parity in tax structure
Mohali, April 16 Mr Prabhjot Singh Sandhu, president of the association, today said manufacturers of electronic goods having sales tax (ST) exemption under the industrial policy of 1996 had been hit by the introduction of VAT. He said the exempted units would now be at a disadvantage as compared to the non-exempted ones. Elaborating, he said, if a dealer purchased items from a unit having ST exemption, he would be entitled to an input tax credit of only 4 per cent. However, if he bought these items from a manufacturer who did not have such exemption, he would get 12.5 per cent input tax credit. Mr Sadnu said dealers would obviously avoid buying goods from units having the ST exemption in view of the fact that the purchases would bear an additional burden of 8.5 per cent. He said this anomaly would found a death knell for the units in the exempted category. If such units closed down, it would result in unemployment of thousands of skilled workers. He urged the state government to remove the disparity by making the buyers entitled to 12.5 per cent input tax credit. |
Venu Prasad dodge ball assn chief
Chandigarh, April 16 It is a new game in India but a popular one in the West. The other office-bearers are vice-president — Mr Gurdip Singh; joint secretaries — Mr Jaspal Singh Sidhu and Mr Balkar Singh Virk; treasurer — Mr Gurpreet Singh, and executive committee members — Mr Harbir Singh Anand, Mr Shavinder Singh, Mr Bhalinder Singh, Mr Kamal Saini and Ms Nirmaljit Kaur. |
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