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3 journalists booked on kidnapping charge
Muktsar, April 9 According to sources, Malwa Public School on the Abohar road had put up barricades in front of its premises reportedly as part of its publicity campaign. It was disrupting smooth flow of traffic and minor mishaps were occurring at the spot. On receiving complaints from various quarters Mr Gursewak Singh Preet of Punjabi Tribune and Mr Pawan Taneja of a vernacular daily reached there yesterday for media coverage. The school Principal’s husband, Mr Gurpreet Singh Kataria, who is also posted as a teacher at Government Senior Secondary School at Tarkhanwala village, came out and had an altercation with Mr Taneja who was clicking pictures of the barricades. He reportedly called his wife and other school staff and snatched his camera and watch, besides thrashing both. The
journalists then lodged a complaint with the police at 8.15 a.m., following which a delegation of mediapersons met DSP Gurmeet Singh at 11 am. The DSP called both parties and recorded their statements. The police reportedly adopted a dilly-dallying attitude and didn’t act on the complaint till evening. At about 7.15 p.m. Mr Kataria admitted his son to the local Civil Hospital and alleged that three journalists tried to kidnap his son and assault him. He further alleged that they also snatched some gold jewellery of his wife. The police acted swiftly on his complaint and registered a case against Mr Preet, Mr Taneja and Mr Baldev Singh Bham of Ajeet under Sections 452, 382, 364, 511, 323 and 341 of the IPC. In a bid to show impartiality, the police also registered a case against Mr Kataria, his wife Ms Rajni Katarai and a school watchman under sections 382, 283, 506, 148 and 149 of the IPC. Interestingly, Mr Kataria in his complaint alleged that the journalists attacked his son and tried to kidnap him in the morning, while he didn’t mention any such thing when the DSP had called both parties for recording their statements at 11 a.m. The local media also wondered as to why he waited for sunset to admit his son to the hospital if he was “assaulted” in the morning. Mediapersons have flayed the police action and rued that the police gave much leeway to the Principal and her husband despite a complaint being lodged against them in the morning. “The police gave them ample time to concoct a story and entangle the journalists in a false case,” they lamented. Meanwhile, a delegation of mediapersons met the IG, Bathinda zone, Mr Rajinder Singh, this morning and sought immediate withdrawal of the case registered against the journalists. The IG asked the Muktsar SSP to look into the matter and report to him.
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Govts ordered to take final decision on cadre merger
Chandigarh, April 9 Pronouncing the orders, the tribunal has given time to the respondents to comply with the orders by the end of this month. The orders were passed after Mr Gurmit Singh, posted as Deputy Chief Wildlife Warden, Punjab, moved an application and sought promotion to the Indian Forest Services (IFS) from the date he completed eight years of service. In his application, he stated that after being promoted to the post of Chief Wildlife Warden, he was entitled to promotion to the Indian Forest Service under the IFS (Appointment by Promotion) Rules, 1966. The state government rejected his representation on December 2, 1997. He then filed a civil writ petition (CWP) in 2000. During the pendency of the CWP, the Chief Conservator of Forest and the Chief Wildlife Warden issued a letter recommending that the service rendered by the applicant be considered as service in connection with forestry. The CWP was disposed of with a direction to the state government to consider his claim and pass appropriate order. On March 7, 2004, the state government rejected the claim of the applicant. Then Mr Singh moved the application before the tribunal. In its orders, the tribunal observed that no rules governed the promotion from Class III to Class II and from Class II to Class I. It was informed that the post of Extra Assistant Conservator (Wildlife) or the post held by the applicant had not been included in the cadre posts under the Punjab Forest Service Act. An administrative decision with necessary amendment of the rules of State Forest Services needed to be taken by the government, observed the tribunal. The state government in its reply stated that the Department of Forest and Wildlife Preservation was one department but at present the cadre of wildlife officials was separate from the Forest Department. The staff of wildlife was a small establishment compared to the staff deployed in the main Forest Department. “However, the issue of merger of the cadre of different categories of wildlife officials with the Forest Department was being examined by the government. It will take some time before the government takes final view of the matter”, said the state.
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SC dismisses Punjab Govt’s SLP
Chandigarh, April 9 Through the order, the High Court had set aside the controversial order by which the government had terminated the services of some Block Development and Panchayat Officers (BDPOs) appointed by the previous Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP Government. Refusing to side with the contention of the Punjab Government that the High Court had erred in allowing the writ petitions filed by Mr Gajjan Singh, Mr Gurpreet Singh and Mr Hardev Singh Sodhi, three terminated BDPOs, all handicapped, the Supreme Court upheld the High Court order. The main stand taken by the government was that the appointments were not as per the provisions of the service rules as no written examination had been held and no exemption order doing away with the written test had been issued. However, advocate Gurminder Singh, counsel for the terminated BDPOs, had stated that the relaxation for the written test had indeed been given by the then Rural Development and Panchayat Minister, who, being the government as per rules of business under Article 166 of the Constitution, was fully competent to grant the relaxation. On December 16, 2000, the then minister had exempted the handicapped persons from appearing in the written test. However, the government had taken the stand that only the Cabinet could have issued the exemption and not the individual minister. An important aspect of the case was that the file, which dealt with the selections for the posts of BDPOs, allegedly went missing after the then Director, Rural Development and Panchayat, Punjab, wrote a note on it on December 18, 2000. It surfaced again only in February 2002, long after the interviews had been held and selections finalised. This lapse had not escaped the notice of the High Court Bench of Mr Justice J.S. Narang and Mr Justice Baldev Singh, which had remarked that the manner and method in which record had been produced in the court was indicative of the fact that there was concealment on the part of the officers. ‘‘It is certainly not in good taste,’’ the Bench had noted. It had directed the government to take the officers back into service with all consequential benefits. The termination of the services of the BDPOs had been one of the first decisions of the Capt Amarinder Government after it had assumed office.
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Punjab Regiment battalions at full strength
Chandigarh, April 9 The Punjab Regiment, the Army's oldest regiment, has 18 regular battalions and Rashtriya Rifles battalions besides one special forces parachute battalion and a mechanised infantry battalion affiliated to it. The Punjab Regiment Centre at Ramgarh, which is responsible for provisioning and management of manpower as well as ensuring pensionary benefits of ex-servicemen is also expecting to issue smart cards under the Ex-servicemen's Contributory Health Scheme to all personnel before they proceed on retirement. Speaking to mediapersons, Colonel of the Punjab Regiment, Major-Gen K.J.S. Oberoi said about half the regiment's battalions were deployed in counter-insurgency operations of hard field areas, where they had performed commendably. He said this year they had bagged two Shaurya Chakras, eight Sena Medals and four Vishisht Seva Medals besides numerous Army Chief's Commendations. He said the regiment had also constructed a war memorial at Hussainewala near Ferozepore to immortalise the actions of 15 Punjab during the 1971 Indo-Pak war. The 300-year old battalion, the oldest infantry regiment in the Army, is now leaving for Sudan as part of the United Nations peacekeeping mission. The regiment has also made its mark in sports. General Oberoi said Nk Gurdev Singh broke the 35-year old national record in 50-km walk during the 45th National Open Athletic Championships in Hyderabad. As many as 150 Punjab Regiment officers, both serving as well as retired, attended the get-together along with their wives.
Prominent among them were Lt-Gen R.S. Dayal (retd), Lt-Gen Mohinder Singh (retd), Lt-Gen G.S. Brar (retd), Major-Gen S.K. Awasthi (retd), Major-Gen Shivdev Singh (retd), Brig K.S. Chandpuri (retd) and Commandant of the Regiment Center, Col V.Y. Gidh. Officers also came down from Delhi, Meerut, Jalandhar, Ramgarh, Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. Major Balwant Singh, who had served in the 1 Patiala (now 15 Punjab) came all the way from Canada.
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IG reviews law and order situation in Abohar
Abohar, April 9 There is a public outburst against a land mafia, headed by a Canada-based NRI, and residents have blamed a senior police official, presently posted in Patiala range, for shielding the land mafia. Hundreds of residents of the subdivision said the official concerned had not only thwarted all efforts to check unlawful activities of the land mafia, but also humiliated police officers as and when they tried to take any action. The mafia was hand in glove with some officers of the Revenue Department also, a public deputation said. The visiting officers agreed that the general law and order situation here was not satisfactory and much was needed to restore faith of the public in the law-enforcing machinery. The residents alleged that an unholy nexus between the subdivisional police and smugglers had converted Abohar into a “smack city.” Mr Sahota told reporters that the Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, had requested the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, to arrange a round table meeting of the Chief Ministers of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi to evolve a common policy on the sale of narcotics. Poppy husk was not only easily available in Rajasthan but vends were allotted at an arm’s distance from the Rajasthan – Punjab border. The smugglers had an easy access to Punjab and Haryana through link roads. Opium from other states was reportedly smuggled to Punjab through the Rajasthan route. On measures to check the drug menace, Mr Sahota said the opening of a de-addiction hospital at Muktsar was in the pipeline. Some beds would be reserved in the 100-bedded Nehru Memorial Civil hospital here to treat the addicts. The government had decided to deploy a special squad to check the smuggling of narcotics to Abohar from Rajasthan. An officer of the SP rank would head the squad. The state police headquarter had been requested to provide sniffer dogs to check smuggling through vehicles entering Punjab from Sriganganagar and Hanumangarh districts of Rajasthan.
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Two girls drowned in canal
Rajpura, April 9 According to reports received here, Jyoti (22) and Deepa (20), along with their mother, went to Ganda Kheri village on the Rajpura-Patiala road to immerse the ‘havan samagri’ in the canal. The family lived in a park as the girls’ father, Mr M.D. Joshi, hailing from Uttaranchal, worked as a gardener with a government department. As Jyoti was disposing of the material in the canal, she slipped into the canal. Seeing her elder sister drowning, Deepa tried to pull her out, but she also fell into the canal, the police said. Their mother, who was standing at a short distance, raised the alarm, but the
gushing canal water swept the girls away. On hearing the shrieks of the girls, two shopkeepers of the village — Mr Bhupinder Singh and Mr Jagtar Singh — tried to save them by jumping into the canal. Though they tried to save the girls, they could
catch hold of only Jyoti’s clothes, Mr Bhupinder Singh said. The duo pulled out Jyoti and tried to resuscitate her, but she died before she could be taken to hospital. Deepa’s body was not found and search efforts were on. Heart-rending scenes were witnessed at the small tenement of the Joshis, with neighbours consoling the couple and Jyoti’s husband. Jyoti and her husband, a resident of Ambala, had come to her father’s house to participate in the ‘havan’ being performed today. Jyoti had been married for two years. Her body was taken to Ambala for cremation. No case had been registered, the police said.
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Suicides: farmers for Rs 2.5 lakh relief to family
Gurdaspur, April 9 Chairman of the kisan cell of the AICC Shamsher Singh Surjewala told reporters here today a panel of farmer bodies and NGO’s should be formed to identify the families of the farmers who had committed suicide due to debt. The panel should recommend genuine cases for compensation to the government. The matter had been discussed with Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, he said. Mr Surjewala was here to address a seminar on the problems faced by farmers of Punjab. The seminar was organised at grain market here. He added the interest on loans given to farmers was still higher. Though the government announced to reduce the rate of interest for farmers to seven per cent, it should further decrease financial burden at small farmers. The farmers’ cell would also support the demand of the Punjab government to waive loans on farmers who were not in a position to return the amount and were forced to commit suicides. Mr Parminder Singh Gill Chairman of the PPCC kisan cell said that they had urged the government to emend the law under which the farmers were arrested for failing to pay loans. The subsidies meant for the farmers are not being utilised properly. The studies have indicated the banks under the influence of traders extend loans to farmers for buying tractors without assessing their needs. This pushes the farmers into debt they fail to repay. Due to bureaucratic formalities related to loans many farmers still are in the grip of money lenders who charge very interest from them. The farmers have to be educated and strict laws enacted to check their exploitation at the hands of money lenders.
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Labourer’s death: police station gheraoed
Bathinda, April 9 Sources said a newly formed Palledars’ Union has locked horns with the old union on the issue of loading and unloading tender for the past few months. Mr Modha Singh of the old union said they got the loading and unloading tender on March 22, but the authorities had cancelled it “under pressure from an MLA”. He alleged that the authorities called fresh bids and gave the tender to the new union on March 30, whereas they were work at lower rates. On April 1 members of the old union asked the new contractor to enter in an agreement with them. However, on the same day the leaders of the new union reportedly attacked two labourers — Karnail Singh and Bhinder Singh, of whom the latter received serious injuries. Modha Singh said Bhinder got himself discharged from the hospital following threats from the other group on April 6. Last night his condition deteriorated and he breathed his last on reaching the hospital. Sources said the controversy between the two unions was on for the past six months and cases were also registered against them. Meanwhile, Maur SHO Manjit Singh said the reason of Bhinder Singh’s death was yet to be ascertained. He said he had already added Section 302 if the IPC in the case registered earlier on the basis of the statement of his family members. Sources said the labourers withdrew their protest in the evening following an assurance from the administration.
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Rajnath to address May 5 rally
Abohar, April 9
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Old tree felled to make way for multiplex
Amritsar, April 9 Unchecked construction of shopping complexes and commercialisation have already taken a heavy toll on natural surroundings of the Mall Road, which once was popular for green and shady zone. A large number of shady and ornamental trees which once enhanced the green cover of this area, were allegedly chopped off by owners of the shopping complex as these ‘obstructed the view’ of the building. Some of these trees were nearly 100-year old. Built in 1880 by the British after the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the Mall Road once had beautiful landscape with a large number of shady fruits-laden trees including silver oaks, golden shower, acacia, maulsary, peepal, neem, and jamun among others. The Forest Department is responsible to maintain green covers, but it reportedly remained a “silent spectator” without taking action against the ‘culprits’, who ordered the cutting of trees. Though certain shopkeepers and residents of The Mall on condition of anonymity alleged that the tree was felled for constructing a multiplex, its owner denied it. Mr Jatinder Singh Sachdeva, when contacted said that he ‘respected’ and understood the significance of green cover of city and could not even think of cutting any tree in the area . Earlier, senior Forest officers said the civic authorities concerned were destroying everything in the name of development. Already a 125-year-old bohar tree was also felled for a multiplex on land belonging to the Improvement Trust.
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Ajmer Singh to get justice
Chandigarh, April 9 Mr Lakhanpal assured them justice would be done to Mr Ajmer Singh, a PCS officer, against whom the Vigilance Bureau had registered a case early this week at Ludhiana in connection with issuing a no objection certificate for the installation of a petrol pump near Sahnewal. Mr P.S. Shergill, president of the Association, accompanied by its other senior office-bearers, explained the entire case to Mr Lakhanpal. Mr Shergill told The Tribune that Mr Lakhanpal had assured that Mr Ajmer Singh, who was posted as Additional District Magistrate at Ludhiana, would not be harassed in any manner. " We are happy with the outcome of the meeting", said Mr Shergill. Mr Lakhanpal went through all important aspects of the case ,including the FIR. Mr Suresh Kumar, Principal Secretary of the Chief
Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, was also present at the meeting, it is learnt. Mr Shergill said that the delegation objected to the way the SSP( Vigilance), Mr G.S. Dhillon, posted at Ludhiana, held a Press conference and projected Mr Ajmer Singh as an offender . It was a move aimed at projecting the entire PCS cadre in a poor light", said another member of the Association. " The Bureau officers had no right to tarnish any officer's reputation. There job is to investigate and register cases and not to declare officers guilty before media even before beginning of trial in the court". Meanwhile, the Association will also meet Capt Amarinder Singh in next three days in connection with its demands. Obviously, the case of Mr Ajmer Singh will also figure at the meeting.
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Controversy over formation of Durbar-e-Khalsa
Patiala, April 9 Capt Kanwar Harbhajan Singh, while addressing a press conference here today, said the Durbar-e-Khalsa was being run by him for the past 20 years and it was registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. He said he had written a letter to the Damdami Taksal in connection with the setting up of an organisation with the same name and urged its chief to change its name. He added that he would proceed after the Damdami Taksal replied to his letter. Claiming that his organisation had been working for the spread of Sikhism and gurmat training, he alleged that neither the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee nor the Jathedar of Akal Takht had been
fulfilling their duties connected with Sikhism. He added that the Sikh religion was experiencing a phase of crises, but hoped that it would be over shortly. He said his organisation would organise the 65th Sikh international youth camp at Mussoorie in Uttaranchal from June
18 to 28.
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PUDA releases 30 cr for mini-secretariat
Gurdaspur, April 9 The land for this purpose had been transferred to PUDA but it did not proceed with the project due to the paucity of funds. PUDA was earlier insisting that offices of the Deputy Commissioner and the SDM, besides the judicial complex, located on this land should be shifted so that it could raise funds for the project by selling half of the land. However, officers insisted that PUDA should first start the project and then they would shift their offices to the mini-secretariat. PUDA could then sell off the rest of the land. Sources said though the foundation stone might be laid, it is not likely to be completed in the stint of the present government. Besides the mini-secretariat, some other projects of PUDA have also failed to take off in the district. PUDA had started the process to acquire 300 acres for a colony. A colony had also been planned at Sujjanpur, the home town of the minister. However, work on both projects has not started. There is not even a single planned colony of PUDA in Gurdaspur, Dinanagar and Pathankot cities of the district. As a result, property developers are making a quick buck. A large number of illegal colonies are being developed by influential people in the vicinity of these cities.
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Rlys accedes to Sidhu’s demands
Amritsar, April 9 The proposal was one among the several demands made by Mr Navjot Singh Sidhu, MP, during his meeting with its the Railways General Manager, Mr V.N Mathur, on January 24. Mr Sidhu, in a press note issued here yesterday, said a proposal to introduce the Jan Shatabdi Express between Amritsar and Hardwar was under consideration to provide fast link between the two cities. However, his demand of restoring the old route of the Hemkunt Express via Amritsar was rejected on the plea that it would decelerate the train by two-and-a-half hour and would be resented by the passengers of Mukerian from where it would no longer pass through. He demanded resumption of the Kalka-Amritsar train, which was discontinued due to poor occupancy and militancy in the state. The railway authorities said the proposal could be considered only after the new line from Chandigarh to Ludhiana was commissioned, which would take less time than the present route. About his another demand, the Railways said it had been talking to the state government regarding the opening of a tourist information centre here. Meanwhile, the Railways informed that no project to link Qadian with Beas was sanctioned by the Railway Board. In a
communiqué to Mr Sidhu, Mr Mathur appreciated his valuable inputs to improve the rail services in this part of the country.
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PPS officers a disappointed lot
Amritsar. April 9 However, the PPS officers have been lobbying hard to convince the state government to adopt the model of Jammu and Kashmir where state police officers are posted as SSPs in various districts. PPS officers were removed as district police chiefs on December 12, 2004, following a contempt petition moved by IPS officer Neelabh Kishore seeking action against the officers for deliberate and willful disobedience of high court orders dated August 9, 2004. In its order, a Division Bench had directed the Punjab Government to remove all non-cadre officers from cadre posts and submit a compliance report in this matter. The Bench had ordered that postings on cadre posts be made only as per the IPS Cadre Rules, 1954. Senior PPS officers said on condition of anonymity that their hopes were shattered when an IPS officer was posted as SSP of the new Mohali district, though it (Mohali) had not been made a cadre post till date. At least six districts of Jammu and Kashmir have been earmarked for posting of state officers as district police chiefs. Besides, some state police officers have been posted as district police chiefs of revenue districts of Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier, a cadre review of the IPS (Punjab cadre) was carried out during 2003 and notified in the same year by the Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India. The state government, while forwarding the proposals for the said review, had recommended no inter se rank shifting of the posts at the SP level and had proposed to keep the cadre strength at the then existing level.
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‘Talent hunt’ in jail!
Amritsar, April 9 It was a rare feast to the eyes to see jhumar, a dance originally from Sandalbar (now in Pakistan), and giddha being jointly performed by them in the most captivating way. The occasion was a programme organised by the India Vision Foundation in collaboration with the United Nations Programme on Drugs and Crime. The chief guest was Dr Jayadev Sarangi, Consultant, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. The giddha reflected the agony they suffered during their jail term. Though the lyrics showered words of praise on the jail authorities for providing them an opportunity to depict their cultural worth, one of the “bolis” pointed towards the “inordinate delay” in disposing of their cases in courts. Women inmates enacted a one-act play on AIDS that was well-appreciated by viewers. Men jail inmates arranged a separate
programme that included bhangra, kirtan and a preaching session by criminals . The stage secretary, Gurpal Singh, a resident of Riar village, who has been sentenced to life in a murder case, seemed fully reformed and was heard frequently quoting from Gurbani. The “religious preacher” was Satnam Singh, who is currently undergoing a seven-year imprisonment. The kirtani jatha included Harpal Singh and Sucha Singh, both lifers in a murder case, and Amarjit Singh, an undertrial in a case under Section 306.
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GND varsity centre in Central Jail
Amritsar, April 9 The university would allow jail inmates to get higher education through its distance education programme free of cost. This was disclosed by Mr Kunwar Vijay Partap Singh, SSP-cum-Superintendent Jail, while talking to The Tribune, here yesterday. Vice-Chancellor, GNDU Dr S.P. Singh, said that the varsity would not only provide computers but would send its staff to impart education to the jail inmates free of cost. Sewing machines would also be supplied to the jail for the ‘fashion designing’ course. There are about 2,000 jail inmates, including Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Nepali nationals. As part of ‘total literacy mission’ the jail authorities have started regular class work, including English-speaking course.
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Rly board to drop RCF PSU proposal
Kapurthala, April 9 Dr S.C. Manchanda and Mr Partap Srivastava both Additional Member Staff and Additional Member Production Unit, respectively, while disclosing this here on Friday said the proposal was mooted so that the decision could be taken expeditiously to increase the production capacity at the RCF for quality coaches and for the manufacturing of metro coaches which are in great demand. While talking to mediapersons, the board members said the railway board would issue a clarification letter in this regard within the next few days. The union leaders, during their discussions with the board members, had demanded written assurance from the board about it. Meanwhile, the leaders said they were not satisfied with the verbal talks of the both the officers and demanded the assurance in writing about the dropping of the proposal. At this both the officers agreed to send it in writing. The union leaders also demanded the transfer of RCF GM alleging that he was behind the proposal.
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Midwives told to help check female foeticide
Nawanshahr, April 9 He said I know ultrasound centres have raised commission for midwives for bringing cases for sex determination tests and conducting MTPs, as the administration has initiated action against errant scan centres in the past few months. “I am ready to reward you more than commission from errant scan centres for providing timely information so that life of a female child could be saved”, said the deputy Commissioner.
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Chamkaur Sahib to be made subdivision
Ropar, April 9 Keeping in view the historical importance of the town and demands of local residents, the Chief Minister had announced subdivision status for Chamkaur Sahib during the Jor Mela last year. Deputy Commissioner Alok Shekhar checked all arrangements in the town and held a meeting with administrative officer in this regard.
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Media urged to launch crusade against drug abuse
Rajpura, April 9 Addressing a seminar on “Media’s role and responsibility in the development of the country”, organised by the Rajpura Press Club, the minister called upon the journalists to be bold and fair in reporting the facts. He also announced that the Punjab Government would provide suitable land for the construction of the press club building here. Prominent among those who spoke at the seminar included Mr Raj Khurana, MLA, Mr Rajinder Raja, president of the Municipal Council, and Mr Ashok Premi, president of the club.
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Farmer bodies give ‘do-or-die’ call
Bathinda, April 9 BKU leaders expressed their intention of launching a massive agitation on the issue. Sources said various farmer bodies would hold a meeting tomorrow to chalk out their future course of action. BKU chief Joginder Singh Ugrahan termed Sarmukh Singh as the first martyr of the Jameen Bachao Morcha and urged the farmer bodies to unite on a single platform to launch a huge stir against the state government. BKU general secretary Sukhdev Singh Kokri Kalan alleged that the notification under which the Trident group was acquiring land in three villages was “illegal and anti-farmer”. BKU Sidhupura leaders said their agitation would not remain restricted to the farmers of Barnala but it would also focus on other problems of the farming community in the state.
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Notification on land acquisition illegal: BKU
Sangrur, April 9 Mr Sukhdev Singh claimed that 110 farmers, whose land had been “forcibly” acquired by the government for the Trident Group had not taken any compensation in lieu of their land. Despite this, these 110 farmers had no right to enter their fields even to cut their crops.
— TNS
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Bar ex-chief injured, driver killed in attack
Abohar, April 9 According to information, Mr Sethi received reports that some persons were trying to take possession of a piece of land, belonging to him, located near Radha Soami Satsang complex on Abohar - Hanumangarh road. He, along with Mr Narang and driver Jagdish, went to the specified place. Some persons were constructing a boundary wall . They reportedly attacked them with lathis and spades. As all three fell unconscious the culprits escaped. The police rushed them to the Nehru Memorial Civil Hospital but driver Jagdish, a resident of Azeemgarh locality, succumbed to his injuries after a few minutes. Mr Sethi with head injuries and Mr Narang having multiple leg fractures were referred to a Ludhiana hospital. But they had to be admitted to a private super specialty hospital near Bathinda. Mr Sethi’s condition continued to be serious; Mr Narang was reportedly better. A police team was rushed to Bathinda to record statements of the victims. Meanwhile, work in the subdivisional complex here came to a standstill as lawyers and document writers protested against the incident. Mr Sethi was working as a document writer also. He also owns a marriage place located in the heart of the town and works as cashier of the city Congress committee. The police has registered an FIR under Sections 302, 307, 324, 326, 148, 149 and 427 IPC.
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Land dispute turns ugly, 4 hurt
Kharar, April 9 The incident occurred when a group of at least 20 persons allegedly laced with .12 and .32 bore firearms and other weapons opened fire on another group of four persons this afternoon. While one of the injured received firearm injuries, others were grievously injured with weapons like swords and spears. All four are now admitted to the PGI, Chandigarh. According to the DSP Kharar, Mr Rajbachan Singh Sandhu, the clash occurred over the possession of a piece of common village land measuring 800 sq yd. “The land is in the possession of a resident of the village Gurmeet Singh. However, the village’s lambardar Baljit Singh and his brother Sukhdarshan along with at least 15 persons came prepared to take possession of the land. They were armed with sharp-edged weapons and at least two guns,” said Mr Sandhu. The group arrived with a tractor-trailer loaded with earth and a water tank to put up a structure on the land to mark their possession. “Before they could start the construction, Gurmeet along with his sons Gurpreet and Sukhvir and son-in-law Gurpreet reached there to stop them. A verbal duel followed and then a fistfight. The entire village was standing nearby witnessing the clash. It was a one-sided clash with Baljit’s group outnumbering
Gurmeet’s. Finally, someone from Baljit’s group opened fire and Gurmeet’s son-in-law was shot at. A lady who lives nearby Surinder Kaur informed the police,” said Mr Sandhu. While Baljit’s group ran away when the police reached the spot, the injured Gurmeet along with his sons and son-in-law could barely move. “The four were rushed to the PGI. The police recovered three used cartridges from the spot and the water tanker and the tractor-trailer too have been taken into possession. A case under Sections 25, 27 and 54 of the Arms Act and 307, 148, 149 and 447 of the IPC has been registered against Sukhdarshan Singh, Baljit Singh, Sandeep, Gurnam Singh, Simratpal Singh and Satnam Singh and others,” said Mr Sandhu.
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Five held for stealing electricity wires
Abohar, April 9 Official sources said a police party led by Mr Chhinderpal Singh Pehlwan on Friday intercepted a Mohindra pick-up jeep loaded with wire weighing two quintals. Those nabbed by the police included Ramesh Singh, a resident of Kuti Guruharsahai village, Darshan Singh Raju, a resident of Dhobi Ghat Fazilka, Hamir Singh, a resident of Sunder Nagar Muktsar, Gurlal Singh Bittu, a resident of Jalalabad Road, Muktsar and Vicky, a resident of Gandhi Nagar, Muktsar.
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Former bank employees held for fraud
Bathinda, April 9 Addressing a press conference here today, the SSP, Mr Kapil Dev, said Bhupesh Kumar, Vikas Kumar and Napees Arora were transferring money belonging to NRIs and others to an account that they had opened on the basis of fake identity proof and other documents. Two of the accused were former bank employees. The accused would look for the account details of people who lived abroad or stayed away from the place where they had a bank account. Their experience and connection with insurance firms and stock brokers helped them get specimen of signatures of their victims. “People would sign the cheque and furnish account details for buying an insurance policy or shares,” said the SSP.
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4 booked for fraud
Hoshiarpur, April 9 According to police sources, Mr Bakhtawar Singh of Mazara Dingrian stated in his complaint that Gurmail Singh, his wife Satya Devi, son Amandeep Singh and daughter Manjit Kaur, all of Khraudi village, demanded Rs 9 lakh each for sending his son Kirpal Singh, son-in-law Jujhar Singh and his brother-in-law’s son Jaspreet Singh to the UK. He alleged that they took Rs 9 lakh in advance along with their passports. But they did not send any of them nor returned their money and passports. The Mahilpur police has registered a case under Sections 406, 420 and 506, IPC, against the accused.
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Flesh trade racket busted; 7 arrested
Amritsar, April 9 According to information, the police, acting on a tip-off, raided the complex of Surinder Kaur, the alleged kingpin, and arrested the accused, include Magan Singh of Meera Kot, Pawandeep Singh of Bhalla Colony and Vikas Kumar of Chheharta.
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Teachers exhorted to provide quality education
Nawanshahr, April 9 Primary schoolteacher, sarpanch and chairpersons of the Village Education Development Committees (VEDC) of 441 villages in the district attended the seminar. Deputy Commissioner Krishan Kumar called upon teachers and panchayats to put in a concerted effort to bring about qualitative improvement in the functioning of government primary schools. He asked teachers to introspect and analyse the deterioration in their social status. He said he had set a target of bringing all children under the umbrella of school education by March, 2007 and formulated a plan. He asked panchayats to submit the list of poor students to the District Education Officer or contact him to make arrangements for fee, stationery, uniforms, etc.
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Coaching centre for poor
Patiala, April 9 He hoped that the number of successful candidates getting admission would be doubled this time to 50. The prize money was raised from Rs 11,000 to Rs 21,000 to be awarded to the candidate standing first.
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