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Sukhbir links Capt with oil scam accused kin
Chandigarh, November 6 Mr Badal said the Chief Minister had given out-of-turn police protection to Mr Jagat Singh, a son of the Union External Affairs Minister, Mr Natwar Singh. Mr Badal went on to allege that Punjab Police security had been provided to Mr Andaleeb Sehgal, the prime figure in the Iraq oil issue. Both persons had no legitimate claim on the state’s resources, he added. Mr Badal went on to say that the Chief Minister had shied away from an open debate. Referring to the Chief Minister’s contention that it was not possible to go to all 12,500 villages for such a debate, the Akali leader said he had categorically asked for 60 spots in the state and not all villages. Meanwhile, three leaders of the Shiromani Akali Dal — Mr Gurdev Singh Badal, Mr Balwinder Singh Bhunder and Mr Sewa Singh Sekhwan — today claimed that the oil-for-food issue was emerging as a big family scandal in which royal families from Punjab, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh, all sharing common family and business bonds, were actively involved. They asked the Chief Minister to make known the details of all official contracts awarded to any of these persons in Punjab, including contracts running into crores of rupees for digging and marketing sand in the state. Bathinda: Mr Sukhbir Badal, SAD MP, has alleged that Mr Raninder Singh, son of Chief Minister Amarinder Singh is also involved in the oil-for-food scam where the Volcker report had named Union External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh. Mr Badal levelled the charge at a press conference here yesterday. He alleged that Mr Raninder along with his close relatives Mr Andy Sehgal and Mr Jagat Singh had formed a company to “loot the Centre and Punjab state”. They had relations with multinational companies and were also involved in the scam, alleged Mr Badal.
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Akalis’ charge against CM’s kin baseless: Dullo
Mansa, November 6 Interacting with mediapersons here, Mr Dullo said the Congress would come to power on its own in the Assembly elections and Captain Amarinder Singh would again head the party’s government. He said he would insist with the AICC not to form an alliance with any party for the next Assembly elections in the state. He said he took this decision keeping in view the interests of party workers. He said the Congress regime had left Akalis with no issues. He said it was ironical to see Mr Badal talking about corruption, as he and his partymen had were facing corruption cases. He said while Akalis could not run the state properly, the Congress was a national party that understood limitations and compulsions of a government. Mr Dullo said the PPCC would be restructured in the coming two weeks and prior to it he would hear grievances of party workers across the state. He said only those working for the party would be brought in organisational fold, while there would be no place for those in cahoots with Akalis. He said discipline would be maintained in the party at all costs. Answering a query, Mr Dullo denied any difference of opinion with the Chief Minister. He said he would not spare any partyman against whom he would receive genuine complaints. He said the way the debate on terrorism had exposed Akalis it had boosted morale of the party workers. He also challenged Akalis for an open debate on any issue.
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PPSC member issues notice to Amarinder
Chandigarh, November 6 In the legal notice sent to the Chief Minister, Mr Chawla has stated: “You have levelled false allegations against me in the Punjab Assembly on October 18 during the debate on the issue of terrorism. The debate was telecast live. In a way you have tried to defame me and tarnish my public image intentionally”. Mr Chawla has stated in the notice: “Allegations levelled by you against me are false, fabricated, misleading and politically motivated. These have been levelled to settle personal scores”. Mr Chawla has further stated that he has been honourably acquitted by the courts in the cases referred in the Punjab Assembly by the Chief Minister against him. “It is not for the first time that you have uttered such defamatory words against me. Even earlier you have done so. And the matter was brought in the notice of the Governor”, states Mr Chawla in the notice. He has asserted in the notice that from the day he was appointed member, he tried his best to improve the image of the PPSC which had faced a lot of controversies. Mr Chawla has stated in the notice that when other Sikh youths were in jails, Capt Amarinder Singh had extended financial as well as material and moral support to them. “It is another matter that now you have back-tracked from your earlier stance”, he states in the notice.
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CM shares memories with regiment colleagues
Jalandhar, November 6 An enthusiastic Subedar Sohan Singh jumped on to the dias to collect his cheque like seven other soldiers, who had received gunshot wounds in different conflicts. Amarinder Singh responded with warmth and hugged Sohan Singh during a sainik sammelan of the 5th Battalion of the Sikh regiment in the Jalandhar cantonment today. Both of them shared fond memories of yesteryears, when the two were part of the same regiment and took part in different army operations. The Chief Minister gave a patient hearing and enquired about problems and injuries received by other gun-shot victims. Havaldar Jagtar Singh, Havaldar Ajay Kumar, Naik Amrik Singh, Naik Baljit Singh, Naik Malkit Singh, Sepoy Satnam Singh, Sepoy Gurpreet Singh and Lance Naik Avrinder Singh, most of whom had received multiple splinter or gunshot injuries, also narrated their war experiences to an anxious Captain Amarinder Singh. "I am a sainik among soldiers, so no politics today please," declared the Punjab Chief Minister as he marched towards mediapersons. "Raised in 1901, Platoon No. 47 has earned largest number of awards and it is the real treasure for a platoon. I am very happy to be amongst members of platoon once again," said Captain Amarinder Singh while recalling his fond memories with the Sikh regiment. He also recollected chivalry of Havaldar Harbhajan Singh of the 16 Sikh, who narrated him how he killed five intruders from a neighbouring country, during his recent visit to position of the 16 Sikh. Referring to a query whether interest of youngsters in joining the army was fading for comparatively low salaries in the army and because of allurement of big money in private sector, Captain Amarinder Singh said, "We did not go to the army for money. It is the urge to serve the country which had been driving people to army. Youngsters are still enthusiastic about making a career in the army, but avenues are lesser," said Captain Amarinder Singh. At one point he clarified that the proposed investment of Reliance in Punjab would not be a joint venture of the Punjab government and the Reliance. Earlier, the Chief Minister handed over cheques, each worth Rs. 50,000, to family members of each of 13 those soldiers, who had sacrificed their lives during different conflicts. Those who received cheques included: Nirmal Kaur, wife of late Subedar Asa Singh, Pritam Kaur, wife of late Jagsir Singh, Gurdev Kaur, wife of late Lance Naik Jarnail Singh, Parkash Kaur, wife of late sepoy Kartar Singh, Gian Kaur, wife of late sepoy Gurnek Singh, Kishan Kaur, wife of late sepoy Bhola Singh, Gurmeet Kaur, wife of late subedar Amrik Singh, Lakhwinder Kaur, wife of late sepoy Harbans Singh, Jagmit Kaur, wife of late sepoy Manjinder Pal Singh, Sarbjit Kaur, wife of late Naib Subedar Balwinder Singh, Balwinder Kaur, wife of late Naik Surjit Singh, Dharam Singh, father of Angrez Singh and Geet Kaur, wife of late Lance Naik Balwant Singh. Lieut. Gen. Dev Raj Singh gave bronze plaque to Captain Amarinder Singh, who also inspected the quarter guard of the battalion.
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Woman’s murder still a mystery
Ludhiana, November 6 The most talked about crime story in the city is begging for a proper answer with the police succeeding in solving the crime by arresting Micky Jain but failing to recover her body as well as the henchman Avtar Singh Taari, a police informer-cum-robber-cum arms dealer. The non-recovery of the body baffles the residents who have now beginning to think there might be something more than what meets the eye in the case. The main question doing the rounds here was why the police had gone ahead with declaring Micky as the killer without arresting the main contract killer Avtar Singh Taari hired by him and recovering the body. Already, the alleged murder case of her hubsand Sunil Jain had remained unsolved. Micky Jain was listed as the murderer in that case and he spent several months in jail before being acquitted by a district court. Reema Jain had gone missing on July 29. Initially, the police, media and the public felt it was some kind of yet another drama involving the family members who were fighting a property dispute among one another. However, after a few days the seriousness of her disappearance was understood. On the complaint of her son, Bhanu Pratap, the police registered a case of murder against Micky Jain. He was questioned but never arrested formally. Finally on September 20, the city police arrested Jain, claiming he had hired a team of contract killers led by notorious police informer Taari. But over a month after that claim neither Taari has been arrested nor
Reema’s body been recovered. “I cannot trust anyone without seeing her body,” says Bhanu Pratap, her eldest son. At 20, he has been left with the responsibility of running the business and looking after a 13-year-old brother and an 11-year-old sister. Taari had come in touch with Micky when the latter was in central jail as an undertrial facing charges of murdering Sunil Jain. Both had remained in touch and eventually hatched the conspiracy, the police claims. Taari has remained at large because of the alleged patronage of some senior Punjab Police officials, including those posted in Chandigarh and one with the IRB. The city SSP denies this saying, “all police officials keep informers but no one protects them when they get involved in crimes,” he argued. Sources have revealed that Taari was in constant touch with cops and had in fact announced to surrender about five times. He never kept the date. Sources said when he was booked in the murder case of Reema, he approached a senior official and pleaded not guilty. Taari is credited with helping the police in solving a number of cases, including murders and blasts involving terrorists from Jammu and Kashmir.
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Restoration of historical gates hanging fire
Amritsar, November 6 The Ramgarhia Federation believes that these gates were demolished after the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The Ghee Mandi was earlier the Ahluwalia Gate, which was the direct route to the Ahluwalia Qila. Mr Onkar Singh Sandhu, Patron, Ramgarhia Federation, said the SGPC’s Dharm Parchar Committee should take a decision to take up this project during its meeting, proposed to be held here tomorrow. A map of the Municipal Committee, Amritsar, published before the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh depicts 12 historical gates, including Darwaza Ramgarhia and Darwaza Ahluwalia. On the basis of the clue found in the two old maps of the Amritsar Corporation (1849 and 1947), Mr Sandhu of the Ramgarhia Federation and his team presented to the Mayor, Mr Sunil Dutti, the proof that the gates were in a good condition before the Partition. Moreover, history books point out that the Chattiwind and the Ghee Mandi gates were named after Jassa Singh Ramgarhia and Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, respectively. The Ramgarhia Federation said its demand to rename the two gates was genuine, as it was based on research. The federation also demanded to rename Katra Ramgarhia, which was developed in 1760 and was located between the Gilwlali Gate and the Doburji Gate (Sultanwind Gate) and was surrounded by Katra Dal Singh, Katra Mit Singh and Katra Garbha Singh which is based on record. However, with the passage of time, the area emerged as the Ghee Market and hence it was popularised as the Ghee Mandi Gate, and the old historical name was virtually forgotten by the residents. Due to the efforts of the Ramgarhia Federation, the local municipal corporation passed a resolution on January 15, 2003. The corporation agreed, in principle, to rename the Sultwanwind Gate. Mr Sandhu said that initially no one was ready to accept his point that the Ahluwalia Gate and the Ramgarhia Gate had existed. While the design of the Ahluwalia Gate has been picked up from the Ahluwalia Qila, the design of the Ramgarhia Gate has been copied from the old picture of the Qila Ram Rauni, which was reportedly demolished during the time of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
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Amritsar to host Mr Singh International contest
Amritsar, November 6 The brainchild of Jaswinder Singh Advocate, a young SGPC member and convener, Akal Purkh Ki Fauj
(APKF), the “fashion show” is aimed at promoting the image of the Sikhs all over the world who had suffered due to mistaken identity in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks in America. As many as 47 contestants have been short-listed after the zonal contests held at Pune, Karnal, Kanpur,
Jamshedpur, Bhopal, Jammu, Chandigarh, Malaysia, London and New York. The contestants will have to undergo a rigorous 15-day training in personality development, choreography, ‘Gurmat’, dress-wearing and “Sikh way of life”. The convener of the APKF said it was a matter of great satisfaction that “sabat surat Sikhs” (Sikhs with unshorn hair) had come forward to act in various feature films. Such Sikh youths could be role models for the younger generation and would definitely help in arresting the trend of “patit-puna” (becoming apostate). The APKF will give seven “life-time award” to the Sikhs who had excelled in different fields, including five to youths. To motivate public, the APKF will organise an on-the-spot “dastar” (turban) competition for those who come to see the “cat show” to mark Mr Singh International competition. Awardees will include children up to the age of 10 years, 35 years and above.
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North Zone Cultural Centre celebrates foundation day
Patiala, November 6 It was the first centre of its kind in the country for the promotion, projection and preservation of Indian art and culture. Bhangra and gidha competitions for schoolchildren were
organised today. More than 600 students from different schools of Patiala participated in
the competitions. The results: Gidha: Group A: Tiwari Model Senior Secondary School 1, Joshi Model School 2. Group B: Government Model Senior Secondary School 1, Senior Secondary Model School, Punjabi University 2, Joshi Model School 3. Group C: Government Girls Multi Purpose School 1, Tiwari Model Senior Secondary School 2, Veer Haqiqat Rai Senior Secondary School 3. Group D: Navjivini School for Special Children. Bhangra: Group A: Tiwari Model Senior Secondary School 1. Group B: Government Model Senior Secondary School, Civil Lines 1, Senior Secondary Model School, Punjabi University 2, Tiwari Model Senior Secondary School 3, Group C: Government Senior Secondary School, Tripuri 1, Senior Secondary Model School, Punjabi University 2, Government Multi Purpose School 3.
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Show reverence to translated versions of holy book: Vedanti
Phagwara, November 6 Talking to mediapersons here, Jathedar Vedanti regretted that those who translated Guru Granth Sahib in other languages did not have knowledge of
Gurbani. The translated forms were in the shape of “pothi” (book), while the “parmanik roop” (authentic form) of Guru Granth Sahib was in Gurmukhi alone, he asserted. He maintained that translations had thrown up new issues. He called upon the keepers of the translated forms of Guru Granth Sahib to show full reverence to the
scripture. We respected scriptures of other religions including Bhagvadgita, and expected others to respect our scripture, he averred. “Maryada” could be observed while keeping the translated version in libraries, he argued. Vedanti agreed that society should keep at bay those so-called religious persons who were involved in criminal acts or had shady antecedents. He flayed social evils like female foeticide, drugs, AIDS.
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Heart-rending scenes at children’s funeral
Phillaur November 6 Their mother, Ms Rajwinder Kaur, repeatedly fell unconscious on seeing the bodies of her two children. The children were her only hope as her husband, Harnek Singh, is mentally ill and is confined to his house. His brother is in glass business at Noormahal. Ms Rajwinder Kaur was seen crying: “For whom shall I live for”. She now had the responsibility to look after her father-in-law, Harbhaghan Singh, and mother-in-law, Joginder Kaur. All villagers were seen consoling the family. The Metador driver is still absconding. Surprisingly, the school management members were not seen at the funeral. The Government Railway Police, Ludhiana, has registered a case.
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Five cases of dengue reported
Moga, November 6 Dr Sandeep Garg, at whose clinic they are being treated, said he could not confirm whether it was dengue, but admitted that symptoms observed in them were similar to that of dengue. He said dengue could not be confirmed till the patients tested positive in serological test, a facility not available in the town. He said the patients undergoing treatment had bodyache, headache and fever. On the other hand, sources said there were no such patients at the local Civil Hospital and the hospital authorities were denying spread of dengue in the town.
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Regularise jobs, demands CITU
Hoshiarpur, November 6 He said the government should take immediate steps to regularise the services of those labourers who had completed 240 days of service, provide equal salary to anganwadi workers according to the salaries of Class III and IV employees and arrange social security for all. He demanded starting of all locked-out industrial units again and strict implementation of labour laws.
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Migrants begin Chhath pooja fasting
Phagwara, November 6 Fasting married women and in some cases men also will perform pooja by standing waist-deep in water in Chachoki canal, which remained dry throughout the year and presently filled with water for the purpose. Since migrants, numbering 25,000-30,000, now enjoy a big clout, political bigwigs reportedly approached irrigation officials for securing the release of water into the Chachoki distributary on the periphery of Phagwara to win over the migrants. Migrant youths, Bholla and Ajay, engaged in pottery work for these tiny temples, say the pooja is performed by fasting married women for the welfare of their children.
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Pension disbursed among 25
Batala, November 6 The function was presided over by Mahant Bhola Shah of Kalidwara who contributed Rs 3100 and the members contributing the remaining amount. The recipients included one blind person, five handicapped, 10 widows and nine old persons. Mr Jatinder
Kad, president of the club, said they were planning to increase the amount of the pension.
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Cancer awareness camp today
Patiala, November 6 Specialists Dr Surinder Singh, Dr Manjit S. Bal, Dr Harjot K Bagga, Dr Manjit Mohi, besides others, would examine and give counselling to cancer patients, said Dr Harjot Bagga, Head, Radiotherapy Department. Lectures will be organised for general public, students, hospital staff, patients and attendants regarding symptoms and prevention and cure of cancer.
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Licence of ultra-sound centre suspended
Chandigarh, November 6 The Civil Surgeon, Mansa, Dr Rakesh Gupta, also issued a show-cause notice to the owner of the centre. Earlier, a team comprising Dr Gupta, Dr Rajinder Garg, Dr Rupinder Singla and Dr Asha Kiran had conducted the inspection. All records have been seized.
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Man hurt after spat with cable men
Kharar, November 6 Pritpal Singh of Mundi Kharar told the police that he had been complaining to the cable operator that a cable next to his house had caused leakage of electricity into his bathroom and could lead to an accident. Last evening when the cable operator had send his boys to collect the monthly dues, Pritpal refused to pay up till the problem was solved. This led to a verbal duel followed by an exchange of fisticuffs. Pritpal was injured and taken to the Kharar Civil Hospital. He has lodged a complaint with the police.
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One hurt in firing over land dispute
Batala, November 6 Dr. Jatindra Jain, SSP, said today that Jaswinder Singh and his cousin Gurinder Singh were involved in a dispute over a piece of land situated on the Kahnuwan road. Both the parties had adjoining plots. It was alleged that the Gurinder Singh's party had manipulated a sale deed showing the same to be in their possession. In order to take control, they started raising a wall around the disputed land which was obstructed to by Jaswinder Singh party. They had arrived there with deadly weapons. They resorted to firing and also caused injuries to Jaswinder Singh. The inhabitants of the area were terrified because of the firing and the hooliganism perpetrated by both the parties. The injured were admitted in the civil hospital. A case under sections 307, 452, 326, 427, 148, 149 IPC and 25/27 Arms Act has been registered by police. One person has also arrested.
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Woman held, pistol seized
Phagwara, November 6 The arrest was made near T-point of Maheru village by a police party headed by Mr Lakhwinder Singh Mall, SHO, Sadar Police Station, Phagwara.
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2 youths die in mishap
Barnala, November 6 According to reports, the two youth who were on a motor cycle near UgoKe, village about 20 km. from here on the Tapa-Kanchain road, were hit by a speeding truck. The victims were later identified as Raju Singh (20) and Lakhwinder Singh (21). Both were residents of Rampura.
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