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Hawara gives vital information

Chandigarh, July 8 The Chandigarh Police is reportedly closing in on people involved in the escape of Jagtar Singh Hawara — the alleged assassin of Punjab’s former Chief Minister Beant Singh — from Model Jail in Burail village 18 months ago. Babbar Khalsa International chief Jagtar Singh Hawara steps down from a police vehicle before being produced in a court in Chandigarh on Friday. — Tribune photo by Manoj Mahajan

In Chandigarh police custody till July 16 Beant case: trial set to be delayed

Body found in roadside pit
Panchkula, July 8
For almost four days, ever since 57-year-old Bikhu Lal went missing, his sons and relatives were keeping a watch on the liquor vends in Mansa Devi Complex and neighbouring Chandigarh.

• Passing Thru

COMMUNITY

BSNL’s toxic barrage on Phase 3-A residents

Mohali, July 8 Residents of Phase 3-A here are getting a raw deal. They are being forced to inhale toxic fumes being released by two generators installed at the BSNL telephone exchange built right in the middle of the residential area. A view of the generator, installed at the BSNL exchange in Phase 3-A, Mohali, whose exhaust faces a row of houses, causing problems for the residents. — A Tribune photograph

Anti-encroachment drive serves no purpose
Panchkula, July 8
It was a case of much ado about nothing. Inspite of the high drama and secrecy preceding the anti- encroachment drive to be launched in Sector 7, the drive fizzled out as most of the encroachments by shopkeepers were cleared as soon as HUDA staff accompanied by a posse of cops descended here today evening.

SMO of General Hospital resigns
Panchkula, July 8
A pioneer in laparoscopic surgery in the government health set up in Haryana and Senior Medical Officer, Dr Subhash Sharma, today resigned from government service.

200 saplings planted
Panchkula, July 8
A sapling plantation drive was launched in General Hospital here by the Director, Health Services (Senior Scale), Dr N.K. Sharma today.

UT, MC staff row over seniority
Chandigarh, July 8
A piquant situation has arisen for the employees of the Chandigarh Administration who had been asked to give their options to get transferred to the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation.

Snake in MLA’s flat Chandigarh, July 8 This ebullient snake climbed three flights of steps, meandered through the room and settled itself for a restful day in bed. Alas! the reptile’s “dreams” went awry for its otherwise affable hosts were definitely not exultant at its presence! Mr Ram Kumar Gautam, BJP MLA from Haryana, discovered the snake on a bed in his flat, on the third floor of the MLA multi-storeyed apartments in Sector 3 early this morning. Gautam claims the snake was a poisonous one and that he had no alternative but to kill it. Mr Ram Kumar Gautam, MLA from Haryana, shows a snake that had entered his third-floor flat in Sector 3, Chandigarh, on Friday. — A Tribune photograph

Jamun Day celebrated
Chandigarh, July 8
The Environment Society of India (ESI) today celebrated Jamun Day at the Common Wealth Youth Programme (CYP) Asia Centre, Sector 12, Chandigarh.

Education, health services suffering in state: Mittal
Mohali, July 8
Former Food and Supplies, Minister, Punjab, and senior BJP leader Madan Mohan Mittal has alleged that Punjab Education Minister Harnam Das Johar had made false announcements regarding the filling of the vacant posts of teacher and other staff in the government schools.

Cops shift stand on Chandni suicide case
Chandigarh, July 8
Nearly a month after declaring Samidha a co-accused in the Chandni Bansal suicide case, the Chandigarh Police today backtracked from its previous stand. Its officials today claimed that she was only required for questioning.

CRIME

Shopkeeper held with pirated CDs
Chandigarh, July 8
A city-based shopkeeper was arrested for allegedly possessing pirated CDs and cassettes. In a separate incident a woman was robbed of her gold bangle late last night. Meanwhile, a house was reportedly burgled and a car was stolen from the city.

4 vehicles recovered
Chandigarh, July 8
The police today claimed to have recovered three Scorpio jeeps and one Indica car stolen from the city. The police recovered the cars from Uttar Pradesh (UP), Bihar and Gujarat.

45-yr-old dies at ADC’s house
Chandigarh, July 8
A 45-year-old man died this afternoon under mysterious circumstances at the residence of a Sector 23- based ADC, Haryana. The police, while initially terming it a natural death, said it would get a post-mortem done to establish the cause of death.

Robbers decamp with jewellery from Sec 26 house
Panchkula, July 8
Robbers struck at a house in Sector 26, tied its owners, thrashed them and allegedly decamped with jewellery worth lakhs of rupees, in wee hours on Friday.

Theft in Sector 9
Panchkula, July 8
Cash, goods and jewellery worth Rs 2 lakh were stolen from a house in Sector 9 today when family members were away at work.

Parking contractor’s staff enter another brawl
Chandigarh, July 8
After yesterday’s incident of officers of Municipal Corporation being bashed up a parking contractor in Sector 34, employees of the parking contractor in Sector 22 today had a heated argument with a shopkeeper of the market over a parking pass.

BUSINESS

VJ Ramona launches Spice service
Chandigarh, July 8
She doesn’t need to dress up like a glamdoll to look like one. In fact, she looks attractive even in a simple top teamed with jeans and little make-up. Popular MTV VJ Ramona was in the city today to launch the new Spice Caller Songs Service.

Reliance cafes get Carribean mocktails
Chandigarh, July 8
Javagreen, a chain of gourmet coffee shops and an integral part of Reliance WebWorld, has introduced a range of Carribean mocktails and smoothies to add a zing to the season.

EDUCATION

No bar on students from appearing as private candidates for exams
Mohali, July 8
The Punjab School Education Board plans to put on hold the proposal of barring students from appearing in the matriculation and senior secondary classes as private candidates.

PU course in early childhood education
Chandigarh, July 8
From this year, Panjab University is starting a one-year regular diploma programme in early childhood special education, the first in North India.

New vistas open for Geology Dept students
Chandigarh, July 8
The students of Geology Department at Panjab University had not imagined that this year would be their golden year. For the first time, the department has been included in the list of prestigious universities, even IITs where all important players in the field of oil and gas exploration come hunting for talent.

30 CIIS students get certificates
Mohali, July 8
The first batch of 30 students of the Canadian Institute for International Studies “live-in care giver” programme were awarded certificates at a graduation ceremony held today.

Respite for LLB Honours students
Chandigarh, July 8
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has restrained Panjab University, Chandigarh, from effecting the recovery of registration fee of $ 550 (US) from students of five-year LLB (Hons) course.

Faculty meeting put off
Chandigarh, July 8
The special meeting of the Faculty of Business Management and Commerce scheduled to be held on July 10 in the Senate Hall, Panjab University, Chandigarh, has been postponed according to official sources.

COURTS

Badheri files criminal case against ex-DC
Chandigarh, July 8
The tussle between a senior leader of the CTCC, Mr Bhupinder Singh Badheri, and the former Deputy Commissioner, Mr Arun Kumar, reached a flashpoint today with the former filing a criminal complaint against the bureaucrat.

CULTURE

NIFD’s annual fashion show
Mohali, July 8
An annual fashion show, Trendz-2005, is being organised at the local unit of the National Institute of Fashion Design at Mohali Club tomorrow.

HEALTH

PGI celebrates foundation day
Chandigarh, July 8
Post Graduate Institute of Medical research here celebrated its foundation day with the inaugural of the new academic session yesterday. Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension, Suresh Pachouri was the chief guest.

PGI to set up burns unit
The Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, plans to set up a stem cell research centre.

Bone health camp at Press Club Chandigarh, July 8 More than 60 persons were examined at a free bone health camp organised by the Chandigarh Press Club here today. Dr S.K. Mathur of the PGI examined the patients. Bone mineral density was measured by an imported machine during the camp and a free diabetic check-up was also done. Patients being examined at a bone health camp organised by the Chandigarh Press Club on Friday. — A Tribune photograph

Exhibition on “Healthy Heart”
Chandigarh, July8
An Exhibition on “Healthy Heart” was inaugurated by Minister of Personnel and Public Grievances, Suresh Pachouri at the PGI here yesterday.

SPORTS

Sameer clinches ball pool title Chandigarh, July 8 Sameer Bhalla emerged winner with score of nine racks to five (9-5) in the 9-ball Pool Prize Money tournament which concluded at the Chandigarh Billiards and Coaching Centre, Sector 22, today. Rakesh Duggal made a good start and took the lead of first two racks to grab an early lead but Sameer proved to be tough for Rakesh and won the third rack and consequently the next four racks to lead ahead by five racks to two. Sameer Bhalla aims to pot the ball in Ch Vishnu Pal Singh Memorial 9-ball Pool Tournament at the Chandigarh Billiards and Coaching Centre, Sector 22, Chandigarh, on Friday. — A Tribune photograph

Surya wins golf title
Panchkula, July 8
Surya Jai Prakash of RCGC, Kolkata, stunned the golf fraternity by proving too good for overnight leader Rahul Bakshi to win the junior golf title in the National Junior Golf championship which concluded here today at the Panchkula Golf Club course.

Meghna, Mayank win TT titles
Chandigarh, July 8
Mayank Sharma and Meghna clinched the winners’ title in the Cadet Boys’ singles and Cadet Girls’ singles category, respectively, during the 11th Bhavan Vidyalaya Chandigarh State (1st Ranking) Table Tennis Tournament being held at Table Tennis Hall, Sector 23, here, today.

Rain restrains sportsmen; focus on fitness
Chandigarh, July 8
A downpour in the city brings all outdoor conventional sporting activities to a halt. But this does not stop sportspersons of the city from having their fun in the rains. Sportspersons switch over to recreational games and fitness activities to utilise the time and build their stamina.

ADMINISTRATION

3.5 quintals of meat seized
Mohali, July 8
The local municipal council seized about 3.5 quintals of meat from various shops in the town, which was not fit for consumption.

Garbage processing unit by 2006
Chandigarh, July 8
By the end of next year, a garbage processing unit will become operational near Dadu Majra. The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation today signed a Memorandum of Understanding with M/s Jai Parkash Associates to set up the processing unit.