Ludhiana, May 12
The hopes of the city residents to get some respite from snatching incidents in the city with the arrest of a three-member gang of teenagers were dashed to the ground with reports that another gang of teenagers is quite active in the area and is committing one crime after the other at will.

While the victims of this ‘unbridled gang’ are harassed at the loss of valuables , they are suffering at the hands of some cops too. After the publication of news reports about the busting of the gang , many victims rushed to the police station of their respective area hoping they would get a look at the alleged criminals and may be identify them. However, the police was not allowing anyone to see the nabbed accused.

Inquiries made by Ludhiana Tribune revealed that this was because the cops were trying to hide the presence of another gang of criminals in the city. The yet-to-be-nailed gang members are quite similar in description with the three teenagers arrested by the Sarabha Nagar police yesterday.

The gang members also operate on a motor cycle and have committed several incidents of snatching in the city, especially in the posh areas of Gurdev Nagar, Sarabha Nagar, Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar, Mall Road and Pakhowal road. Not all victims approach the police for the registration of an FIR. Those who decide to go through the tardy process are often told to wait for a few days for the registration of the FIR.

One woman resident of Gurdev Nagar, Pallavi Jain, who insisted for the registration of an FIR has stated that three unidentified teenagers had snatched a purse containing her passport, mobile phones, cash and other relevant documents from near Malhar road on Tuesday.

Police sources have revealed that the second gang too was a major headache for the police. The police has received a number of complaints regarding their activities and were trying to trap the culprits.

Meanwhile, a local School, GRD Academy, has locked horns with the police for claiming before the media that Mandeep Singh and Rohit, two of three teenagers nabbed yesterday for snatching incidents, were student s of the academy.

The school principal, Gurshminder Singh, has contested the claims, saying the two were not the students of the school. SHO, Sarabha Nagar, Pawanjit, however, insisted that the police claim was based on evidence. Sources have informed that one of the accused Mandeep had taken admission but later his name was struck off for long absence from the school.

Ludhiana, May 12
Madhur Verma could not have probably expected a better birthday gift. On his 25th birthday, this city lad did Ludhiana proud by making it to civil services. Madhur secured 130th rank in the civil services and expects to make it to the IPS.

It was late last evening when Madhur, who was in Delhi, went to check for the results at the UPSC office along with his colleagues. Then on phone bells have been ringing and friends and relatives are pouring in to congratulate the family.

“It feels simply great to have finally achieved what I dreamt of since childhood,” he gushed. While making it to the civil services remains only a dream for many, in Madhur’s case things were different, for this was not the first time he made it.

Last time, he secured 203rd rank, got into the Indian Revenue Services (IRS) and is undergoing training at the National Academy of Customs, Excise and Narcotics (NACEN) in Faridabad. “This was my third attempt. In the first time I could not make it for the interview, and this time I wanted to improve. In fact I feel strongly about contributing towards development of the nation and working with people, which I think I could do more effectively as an IAS or an IPS officer,” Madhur is candid enough to admit and adds, “now I am content.”

For his father, Assistant Excise and Taxation Commissioner Mr Vijay Verma, his son’s achievement is “well-deserved because this is what he had always worked towards achieving.”

And to Madhur, strong support from family and friends has been as important as his consistent efforts, patience and determination.

An engineering graduate from Guru Nanak Engineering College, Ludhiana, and a product of Atam Public School, Madhur believes that it is one’s ambition and right kind of guidance that matters when it comes to achieving your aims in life. “A prestigious institution would do nothing if you do not have it in yourself. I feel every institution gives you a direction and it is upon you to take it and follow the right path.”

Inspired by his father, when he decided to opt for civil services as a career the entire outlook changed. “I feel I was more analytical and tried to go into the depth of issues,” he says. The first year did mean a lot of strenuous hours but in second and third attempts, he says, he was comparatively relaxed.

Talking about the choice of his subjects sociology and public administration — considering that he is an engineering graduate, he says: “One has to be extremely confident about the subjects one opts for. Besides, one also has to have a practical approach and consider whether a subject is scoring or not, which explains my selection,” he says, adding, “to gain an indepth knowledge I went in for masters in sociology at Delhi University.”

Ludhiana, May 12
Adding another feather to the cap of a newly setup Fingerprints and Forensic Laboratory in police lines here, five police officers each from Afghanistan and Maldives along with 22 others from the Northern states of India underwent a special training session at the state-of-the-art laboratory here.

The one-day session was conducted in continuation of the 78th advanced course on “Scientific Aids to Investigation” organised by Central Detective Training School Chandigarh, from April 18 onwards. A one-day theoretical and practical session on the “Use of fingerprints as a scientific aid to investigation” was conducted here yesterday of the local laboratory.

The training was conducted in three different parts. Mr Krishan Datt Finger prints & Forensic expert delivered lectures and imparted practical training to the participants.

The first part of the training was conducted in the Bureau of Fingerprints and Forensic Services in which overall introduction of computerised system of identification, latest digital devices and digital processing of scene of crime was given.

The second part of the training was conducted at Police Training School in which handling of the scene of crime (SOC), processing, lifting of fingerprints/footprints and other clues was taught to the trainees. The third session was conducted in the Conference Hall.

This part of the training was carried out with the help of audio-visual aids. The recording of the SOC, digital processing of the crime scene and crime scene analysis of the place of occurrence was demonstrated on an LCD projector.

The Senior Superintendent of Police, Ludhiana, Mr Narinder Pal Singh, welcomed the participants and explained the importance and need of scientific aids to investigation in the present scenario.

The other senior officers Mr. R.K. Jaiswal, SP City -1, and Mr. Mandeep Singh, Superintendent of Police (Headquarters) were also among those who addressed the participants.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, May 12
Various political and religious leaders have taken a serious note of an incident in which some Congress leaders, including a Cabinet Minister and an MLA, were led by Panj Piaras in the form of a procession at Jodhan village yesterday.

Referring to the reports of the incident, Mr Charan Singh Lohara, general secretary of the SAD (Amritsar), criticised Mr Partap Singh Bajwa, PWD Minister of the Punjab Government and Mr Malkiat Singh Dakha, MLA. “According to the Sikh maryada, Panj Piaras cannot lead a procession unless they are accompanied by Guru Granth Sahib. By accepting the honour, led by Panj Piaras, the Congress leaders have tried to equate themselves the holy granth,” said Mr Lohara.

SAD (Amritsar) leaders have urged the President of the SGPC and the Jathedar of Akal Takht to summon the leaders and the organisers of the function and take action against them according to the Sikh tenets.

Prof Amarjit Singh Parag, Sikh scholar, claimed that the Panj Piaras could not lead persons or groups, which were not concerned with the religious affairs of the Sikhs. Being symbols of a highly sacred position in the Sikh panth, the Panj Piaras were a sign of the supreme authority. Besides leading a religious procession which follows Guru Granth Sahib, they could either lead a congregation where baptism was to take place or where some religious matter was to be discussed.

“Any human being accepting or giving honour equal to that of Guru Granth Sahib is certainly guilty of violating the Sikh maryada and should be punished accordingly,” said Mr Prag.

Mr Joginder Singh Vedanti, Jathedar, Akal Takht said the incident was an insult to the institution of Panj Piaras. “The robes worn by Panj Piaras are not simple costumes and they have significant implications. Those wearing these robes represent the Panj Piaras of Guru Gobind Singh who were baptised by the Guru himself,” explained Mr Vedanti. The leaders who had violated the Sikh Maryada would be asked to make amends, he said.

Ludhiana, May 12
Investiture ceremony of the prefect board of B.C.M School, Dugri was held today. Different designations were given to students of the senior classes.

After the oath taking ceremony the school captains Parteek Khare and Geeta Sharma were honoured with the sashes of school captains. The overall trophy for the year 2004-05 was awarded to Gulmohar House for its outstanding performance in inter-house activities. OC

Jagraon, May 12
Two persons, including a woman, allegedly cheated two persons by issuing fake certificates of appointment in police service and collected Rs 1,20,000 from the said persons. The local police has registered a case under Sections 406, 419, 420, 464, 468, 471 and 120B, IPC.

According to information Ms Inderjit Kaur, wife of Paramjit Singh of Agwar Ladhai Jagraon and Jagtar Singh, resident of Forian village in Amritsar district, with a common intention cheated the nephew of Santosh Kaur, of Kothe Rahlan and Charanjit Singh of Kothe Sher Jung, Jagraon, by promising them employment as Constable with the Police Department and charged Rs 40,000 and 80,000, respectively, from them. They later issued fake appointment letters to both of them and did not return the same on demand. The complaint was moved by Santosh Kaur on October 22, 2004. The police has now registered a case after conducting a probe.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, May 12
Various social and political organisations of the town and surrounding villages have urged the higher authorities to impress upon the police to register a murder case in connection with the death of Mr Shamsunder, a Councillor and a former vice-president of the local municipal council, whose body was found in a canal near here 10 days ago.

After staging a dharna at the local Grain Market the protesters marched through the streets and raised slogans against the suspects who were yet to be identified.

Meanwhile, the initial medical report submitted by the panel of doctors has suggested that the deceased had died due to head injuries and due to drowning.

Addressing the gathering the speakers alleged that Mr Sham Sunder had been murdered and the suspects had tried to show that it was not a murder but a suicide or an accident. They accused the local councillors of trying to hush up the matter.

The protesters, led by the office-bearers of BKU (Ekta) Ugrahan, gave a representation to the local police authorities and demanded immediate action at their end. Apprehending political interference by the factions of local councilors Mr Balwant Singh Ghudani, general secretary of the union warned that the Action Committee to be constituted for perusing the case would not allow any body to take political mileage out of the action.

Mr Shamsunder was missing since May 3. After searching frantically for him, relatives and the police had found his scooter parked near the side of a canal on the next day. As Mr Gaurav Jain, the only son of the deceased, had stated that his family did not want a case to be registered, the police had completed the formalities under Section 174 of Cr P C. It was unclear whether the leader had committed suicide by jumping into the canal or had been thrown into it.

The family members of the victim have so far not named any person. Sources said the deceased definitely had enmity with some persons but the family was too shocked at this stage to name any person. Besides being leader of a faction.

Ludhiana, May 12
A delegation of the Oil Mill Machinery Manufacturers Association, led by Parliamentary Secretary Surinder Davar, met Punjab Finance Minister Surinder Singla on May 8 regarding the issue of Value Added Tax (VAT) on spare parts of oil expellers.

President of the association Sudershan Singla informed that the association submitted a memorandum of their demand to reduce VAT on oil expellers.

“The rate of VAT on spare parts of oil expellers in West Bengal is 4 per cent whereas in Punjab it is 12.5 per cent,” said Mr Singla, demanding that the rate be brought down to 4 per cent in Punjab also.

The Finance Minister assured the delegates an early action in the direction.