Kapurthala, October 18
Punjab Financial Commissioner Revenue (FCR), Mr K.K. Bhatnagar, has reportedly directed the district administration to rectify revenue record regarding the state government muafi land on the Kanjali road. The land’s value is learnt to be crores of rupees.

The land had been transferred in the name of cultivators allegedly in connivance with the Revenue Department officials.

However, Mr Bhatnagar could not be contacted. It is learnt that the department was examining the role of the then-DC, Mr Samir Kumar, and DRO, who had traded charges against each other on the issue of deleting from the revenue record the red-entry note in connection with the muafi land, in February this year. Both of them had levelled serious accusations against each other in this regard. Meanwhile, the DC has reportedly issued instructions to the tehsildar to restore the red-entry note (for the said muafi land), in the revenue record.

It may be recalled that the multi-crore land scam had come to the notice of the DC when a private coloniser had started the construction on the muafi land for developing a residential colony after getting a temporary approval from the Punjab Urban Development Authority.

Hoshiarpur, October 18
Residents of Ward No. 18 and 19 here staged a dharna and blocked vehicular traffic at the local railway crossing on the Hoshiarpur-Phagwara road from 11.30 am to 1 pm today in protest against the “callous attitude” of the Municipal Council (MC).

The residents alleged that the MC had failed to rectify the poor condition of the roads and the clogged sewerage system in the wards. They also alleged that streetlights were not operational in the wards.

They told mediapersons that they had approached officials of the council many times, requesting them to improve the basic civic amenities in their areas, but the authorities concerned had turned a deaf ear to their requests.

They said that sewage overflowed frequently in their wards. Heaps of garbage were strewn about, and drains were completely choked with dirt, emitting foul smell. This posed a serious threat to the health of the residents. This could also lead to the outbreak of dengue, the residents said.

According to the residents, no regular safai karamchari had been deputed for cleanliness of the wards. Later, the Executive Officer of the MC, Mr Gursewak Singh, intervened. It was on his assurance that the choked drainage system would be cleared and the construction of proper drainage system would be done that the dharna was lifted.

Nawanshahr: Though there has been no significant increase in the crime rate in the district since the last year, the credibility of the local police has taken a beating, particularly keeping in view the recent ‘sting operation’ conducted by a TV news channel. The telecast of the news story, “Nasho ke saudar” has exposed the nexus between the local police and drug traffickers. Following the ‘sting operation’, two police officials — Jagdish Singh (SHO, Banga), Surjit Singh (chowki incharge, Asron) — were dismissed from the service and two police officials — Satnam Singh (Mukandpur) and Darshan Singh (Banga) — were suspended.

In this connection, allegations have been levelled against a senior police officer. The District Bar Association, CPI (ML) and SAD (Badal) have taken out protest marches, rallies, dharnas, and submitted memorandums demanding the suspension of the officer, and also a CBI inquiry into the alleged involvement of the police in drug trafficking.

The dismissed SHO Jagdish Singh has also levelled allegations against the senior officer. The officer concerned, however, has denied the allegations. Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, has given a “clean chit” to the officer, it has been learnt.

Meanwhile, SAD (B), eyeing the Assembly polls next year, has been trying to exploit the issue on the pattern of Ludhiana City Centre scam.

According to official sources, an increase in the number of murder, cheating, fraud and attempt to murder cases has been witnessed in the district.

Last year, there were 10 murder cases. However, up to September this year, 14 murder cases were reported. Similarly, as many as 28 cases of attempt to murder have been reported this year against the 20 cases reported during the last year. Sixtyfour cases of cheating and 51 cases of fraud have been reported so far during the current year, while last year the figure was 53 and 32, respectively.

However, rape cases have decreased from 12 to 8, theft cases have decreased from 81 to 67 and kidnapping cases have decreased from 5 to 1 as compared to the previous year.

Nawanshahr, October 18
Dr Budh Singh Dhahan, a social worker and founder-president of  the Guru Nanak Mission Medical and Educational Trust, Dhahan Kaleran (Nawanshahr), was honoured with Bhagat Puran Singh Award by NRIs from the USA, the UK and Canada. He was given this award for his commendable contribution in providing better healthcare and educational facilities to rural people.

Bibi Inderjit Kaur, chief, Bhagat Puran Singh Pingalwara, Amritsar, presented the award to Dr Dhahan during a function organised at the nearby town of Banga on Tuesday.

Mr Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, general secretary, SGPC, Mr Sukhjinder Singh, former Education Minister, were among those who spoke on the occasion.

Dr Dhahan, while appreciating the gesture of the NRIs, called upon them to extend their cooperation to realise the dream of setting up a medical college at Dhahan Kaleran.

Dr Dhahan has been mobilising donations from NRIs for the past more than two and a half decades.

Hoshiarpur, October 18
A newly-married woman from Purana Bhangala village of Hoshiarpur district has committed suicide allegedly due to harassment by her in-laws, who “pressurised” her to bring more dowry.

According to police sources, Kailasho Devi, wife of Gurdial Singh from Chak Bharian, Pathankot, has stated in her complaint to the police that her daughter Sarabjit Kaur was married to Balwinder Kumar from Purana Bhangala on April 6, 2006. She alleged in her complaint that her daughter’s husband and her mother-in-law ill-treated and tortured her daughter for bringing “insufficient” dowry. Because of this, her daughter consumed some poisonous substance and was admitted to the Civil Hospital, Dasuya, where she breathed her last yesterday evening, the complainant added.

The Mukerian police has registered a case under Sections 304 B, 506 and 34 of the IPC against the deceased woman’s husband and mother-in-law. No arrest has been made so far.

In another case, Gurpal Kaur, daughter of Daljit Singh from Ahaiyapur, has stated that she was married to Prem Kumar, son of Joginder Singh from Akalgarh, Nabha (Patiala), on November 25, 2002. She has alleged that her in-laws were demanding more dowry, including a Tata Safari van.

The Tanda police has registered a case under Section 498 A against her husband, father-in-law, mother-in-law, brother-in-law and his wife.

BATALA: Heaps of garbage can be seen lying in all nooks and corners of the town these days. In fact, garbage dumps dot the town, much to the chagrin of residents.

When this correspondent visited the office of the Municipal Council, Batala, yesterday to meet Mr Manjinder Singh Bandesha, executive officer, he was not there. He was gone to the office of the Municipal Council, Dinanagar. He has the dual charge of both the councils.

However, two sanitary inspectors, Mr J.P. Singh and Mr Harinder Pal Singh, were in the office.

They said 10 employees of the council had been deployed to spray insecticides.

The residents had been asked not to allow the water to get collected near their houses.

Mr Harinder Pal Singh also assured that the garbage collected near the Khjuri gate would be lifted soon and no fresh garbage would be thrown there.

A large number of educational institutes like S.L. Bawa DAV College, Dr D.R. Bhalla DAV Centenary Public School, Gandhi Memorial High School and R.D. Khosla DAV Senior Secondary School are located near the Khjuri gate.

Meanwhile, the council has started fumigating sensitive areas.