Chandigarh, August 28
Students of MCM DAV College here boycotted classes today, alleging that a student of the college had been "slapped" by the physical education teacher for using a mobile phone on the college campus.

The incident, which took place on Saturday, snowballed into a showdown this morning when hundreds of college students came out on the roads and blocked traffic for over four hours. Angry students raised slogans against the college principal and the teacher concerned, demanding that she be expelled immediately and the ban on use of mobile phones also be lifted. A group of students came out in open support of the teacher, leading to angry spats and some students roughing up each other.

Shivani was reportedly calling her mother on Saturday afternoon to inform her that she would reach home late because of heavy rain when she was caught by physical education teachers Jagdish Bains and Anju.

"I got scared since using mobile phones is banned in the college. One of the teachers twisted my arm behind me and the other slapped me, breaking my glasses," said Shivani.

Shivani, a student of BA and a resident of Mohali, came with her parents to see the Principal of the college, Mrs Puneet Bedi, this morning where Ms Bains reportedly expressed regret over the incident. However, students alleged that the other teacher told the principal that it was Shivani who had pushed her and could have caused her harm as she was pregnant.

Despite the apology tendered by the teacher concerned, the news of the incident spread like fire in the college and within an hour most students had left classes and collected outside the college gates.

Police presence outside the college did not deter the agitating students from blocking the college gate, preventing the teachers from leaving the campus while the strike was on.

The college principal came out to placate the students but found them adamant. She told mediapersons that she would ask for more details of the incident and take a decision as per the rules of the college. The police was seen asking other college teachers, who came outside, to reason out with the students to stay inside the college building.

Meanwhile, another group of students led by students of Ms Bains opposed the strike, stating that their teacher "was the best" in the college and was like a "mother" to them. These students tried to stop the striking students, leading to two students catching each other by the neck. Police intervention alone brought the situation under control.

"If the college teachers can use mobiles, why cant we? All other colleges allow students to carry mobiles. Why are there so many restrictions here?. These questions were raised by Anjali, one of the student leaders. But the principal reasoned that there were restrictions on use of mobile phones by the teachers too.

"In any case rules for students are different from those for teachers. Also, the college campus has 10 STD and 10 local lines which they can use for an emergency," she said.

"What if one of us has an accident or needs help while on our way to college," asked a student. The principal said, "in that case the student will not be in a position to call. Onlookers will use their phones to call for help." While the agitating students focused on the demand for lifting the ban on use of mobile phones, many students complained about other problems. A student pointed out that the Class IV staff of the college was extremely rude.

Students also alleged that the college principal was mostly inaccessible. "This is false," said the principal, adding that her mobile number had been announced during the college assembly and students were free to call her.

Chandigarh, August 28
In a major step towards improving water supply in the city, two major projects submitted by the Municipal Corporation to the Ministry of Urban Development have been given the go-ahead. After their implementation, the city can boast of being the only city with the 100 per cent coverage of its horticulture/irrigation requirement.

One of the projects is conservation of potable water by harvesting the tertiary treated sewage, which is used for irrigating green spaces. It will cost about Rs36.80 crore. The second project involves installation of a computerised surveillance system to monitor round-the-clock water supply at a cost of Rs 21.36 crore.

The implementation of the second project will cut down losses both in water and revenue. The projects are likely to be completed within next 18 months. — TNS

Chandigarh, August 28
Hundreds of auto-rickshaws on the city roads bearing Punjab and Haryana (PB-12 and HR-68) registration numbers will soon be paying a tax to the Union Territory. The auto-rickshaw inflow and outflow from the city and the adjoining towns of Panchkula and Mohali continues without any charges from the pliers from the adjoining states over the past several years.

A high-level meeting of the Chandigarh Administration is scheduled very shortly with the Transport Secretaries of Punjab and Haryana to sort out the matter, reliable sources said. A nominal counter-signature fee will be charged for the permits from auto-rickshaws bearing registration numbers of the neighbouring states. The matter has already been informally discussed.

The issue of tax has cropped up because these vehicles are covered under commercial ventures and are required to pay the tax as is being followed in case of the buses and truck services all over the country.

Auto-rickshaw pliers say a very big number of the pliers in the city were having very old three-wheelers under their registration in the UT. A number of them had pulled off the roads, which was one of the biggest reasons for the heavy inflow of vehicles from the adjoining states.

A senior official said, “The traffic inflow of auto-rickshaws from the adjoining territories and vice versa was stopped a few years back. This led to public resentment because of which we had to open the roads. We don’t have a written agreement with the government of the neighbouring states. Working out a functional understanding was necessary because place of work and residency were very dependent on each other in the tricity. We are working out a very nominal fee,” he said.

He said, “The traffic mobility without any charges was allowed for public conveyance, including buses, taxis and auto-rickshaws. We ultimately had to allow the new cab service in the adjoining towns of Panchkula and Mohali after initial hiccups. Similarly, we agreed to the need of extending the auto service to the adjoining states as well.”

Panchkula, August 28
The Panchkula Joint Welfare Association Forum began a dharna against non-removal of encroachments outside the office of Administrator, Haryana Urban Development Authority, Sector 6, which saw participation by representatives of 27 residents’ welfare organisations.

All associations were of the unanimous opinion that the jhuggis should be removed early to improve sanitation and law and order in the city. All representatives emphasised that HUDA, the Municipal Council and the police authorities should ensure that no fresh encroachment was allowed to take place in connivance with the field staff. Similarly, encroachments should be removed from Bhainsa Tibba, which was under the Mata Mansa Devi Shrine Board.

Sewak Shambu Nath, social activist and a Sector 7 resident, said dhobis were getting their ration cards made by giving wrong addresses. Mr C.L. Salwan, president, House Owners Welfare Association, Sector 4, pointed out: “The Sports Stadium and Olympic Bhawan in Sector 3, Panchkula, where national-level sports are being conducted and badminton sports at the national level are scheduled for November 2006, has about 5000 jhuggis in the surrounding area.”

A deputation consisting of Mr J.S. Sangari, Mr Hemant Kinger and Mr S.D. Daid met the Administrator and the Estate Officer (HUDA), Ms Neelam Pradeep Kasni, and Mr S.P. Arora, respectively. They were of the view that such a decision could not be taken at the local level though she was open to discussion.

With regard to mushrooming of new encroachments, she directed the Estate Officer to take necessary action as per the law and carry out an anti-encroachment drive in every sector.

Chandigarh, August 28
A five-day orientation course on issues relating to women and children for representatives of Panchayati Raj issues began at the Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development (CRRID) here today.

The objectives of the programme is to acquaint the participants with schemes and programmes launched by the government for the welfare of women and children, orient them about social issues like infanticide, child marriage, dowry and domestic violence, and to sensitise them about existing legislative measures.

In her presidential remarks, Ms Alka Lamba, vice-president, National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD), New Delhi, stressed upon the members to empower themselves financially as well as socially so as to contribute towards development of society at the grassroots level.

She also dwelt upon issues of current relevance like domestic violence, declining sex ratio and discrimination against the girl child.

Chairperson of the Rashtriya Mahila Shakti Abhyan, Ms Rajinder Kaur, highlighted the role of members of the Panchayati Raj institution and the contribution they could make in tackling social issues and ensuring the welfare of women and children.

NIPCCD joint director, Dr Ashok Kapur, gave a presentation on the history and role of the Panchayati Raj institution. Dr B.K. Pattnaik from CRRID gave an overview on the status of women in India while Dr Jyoti Seth, lecturer in sociology from Government College for Women, Chandigarh, gave an overview on the status of children in India.

The passing away of Maj-Gen Dalbir Singh (retd) on August 22, 1999, at his farmhouse in Ambala, brings back to memory the honour that he brought to the Army and the country in the 1971 war.

On December 6, 1971, General Dalbir Singh, the then General Officer Commanding (GOC), 9 Infantry Division, was given the task of advancing along the Bojra-Jessore-Khulna axis to capture Jessore and Khulna. Jessore was not only heavily fortified and well defended by a brigade-size force but also the headquarters of the enemy’s 9 Infantry Division, which was commanded by Major-General Idris, was also located there.

Gen Dalbir Singh planned to punch a hole through the Jessore defences at Durgabati, 15 km west of the former. His division moved so swiftly that by December 8, Jessore was captured. This bold action brought to Gen Dalbir Singh the title of the “Hero of Jessore”.

Thereafter, the enemy fell back to Khulna, which is 40 km south-east of Jessore. Moving on the heels of the enemy, Gen Dalbir Singh’s division captured Khulna on December 16. On December 17, the Pakistani Brigade Commander surrendered to Gen Dalbir Singh. For his daring action in Bangladesh, Gen Dalbir Singh was awarded the Param Vashisht Seva Medal (PVSM).

Lalru, August 28
The former Punjab Finance Minister, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, today demanded the resignation of the Capt Amarinder Singh government in the wake of Rs 1,000 crore irregularities detected by the CAG in utilisation of the Rural Development Fund by the government.

Addressing a protest march organised by activists of the Shiromani Akali Dal(SAD) in protest against the August 11 Lalru incident, the former Finance Minister said the Opposition parties would approach the Punjab Governor and seek the dismissal of the government for the alleged irregularities.

Terming the allegations of politicisation of the Lalru incident as “baseless”, Capt Kanwaljit Singh claimed that the residents were fighting for “restoration of honour”.

Meanwhile, a four-day protest, started by the party from here, reached Sardar Pur village.It will conclude at a rally outside the SDM Office, Dera Bassi, on August 31.

Chandigarh, August 28
To establish the parentage of children swapped at the ESI Hospital, Ram Darbar, a team of medicos from the General Hospital, Sector 16, along with experts from the Central Scientific Forensic Laboratory (CSFL), today took blood samples of women and their newborns and send these for DNA tests.

A team of doctors led by Dr Deepak Bakshi, SMO, General Hospital, visited the ESI Hospital and took blood samples of Usha, her baby, Prem Sheela and her baby. The blood samples were taken under the guidance of a team of the CSFL scientists in presence of the local police.

Talking to The Tribune, Dr Bakshi claimed that the CSFL had been asked to submit the report as soon as possible so that the ESI Hospital authorities and the police could take action accordingly.

It may be recalled that a newborn boy of Usha was allegedly swapped with a newborn girl of Prem Sheela, another woman admitted to the same hospital, by the hospital staff soon after birth on Friday. Hailing from Uttar Pradesh, both women reside in Colony No 4 and were admitted to the Ram Darbar hospital on Friday.

The complainant Usha was firm on her statement saying that she gave birth to a boy but the hospital staff in connivance with family of Prem Sheela swapped the child. She also claimed that the ‘doctor’ who had indulged in “baby swapping” was not seen on the second consecutive day in the hospital today.

Usha’s husband, a resident of Khazirabad in UP, claimed that he had gone to get clothes for the newborn when the incident occurred.

On the other hand, Prem Sheela, wife of Ashok, a resident of Azamgarh in UP, claimed that she had given birth to a baby boy 10 minutes from Usha’s delivery.

When contacted, Mr Ramesh Chand, Medical Superintendent, said the case would be solved only after DNA reports. He claimed both women were likely to be discharged only after the arrival of DNA reports from the CSFL.

Chandigarh, August 28
The UT Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Satish Chandra, today rewarded 70 safe road users at a function held at the Sector 23 Children Traffic Park for complying with traffic rules and regulations. The function was organised by the Chandigarh Traffic Police in association with The Tribune Trust and Ford Motors.

The Chandigarh Traffic Police said these 70 road users fully obeyed traffic rules and regulations and were never challaned. The police divided road users into various categories like car, bus, truck, auto-rickshaw drivers, rickshaw-pullers and cyclists. They were given caps, mementos, stickers and the car drivers were given washing fluids and perfumes. There was one woman among the winners.

While addressing the gathering, Mr Satish Chandra, who was also the chief guest on the occasion, said: “This is a good move and it will encourage road users to obey traffic rules. Earlier, the police was known for punishing violators. We need public co-operation to make city roads safer.”

Mr O.P. Arora, ADG, The Tribune Trust, stressed on the need for creating more awareness about traffic safety rules and regulations among the public in general and students in particular. The UT SSP (Traffic), Mr Dinesh Bhatt, spoke all various programmes being organised by the traffic police, including announcements on FM radio about traffic jams and road blockades in the city.

Among those present were Mr Amit Aneja, regional marketing manager, Ford Motors, the UT SSP, Mr Gaurav Yadav, the SSP Headquarters, Mr Vivek Gogia, and the Station Director (AIR), Mr K.C. Dubey, senior citizens and traffic marshals.