J A L A N D H A R

Floodlight installation in stadium stalled again
Jalandhar, January 14
The much-awaited project for the installation of high mast floodlights at the Olympian Surjit Hockey Stadium, Burlton Park, here to facilitate holding of day and night matches has once again stalled as the work orders could not be passed due to the implementation of the model code of conduct.

City Life

DEATH JUNCTION: Open electricity points pose a serious threat to commuters near Guru Nanak Mission Chowk in Jalandhar. Almost all poles on Bhagwan Mahavir Marg have bare electricity points.— Photo by S.S. Chopra

Bhatti is NCP candidate 
Nawanshahr, January 14
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) organised a public meeting at New Grain Market here today.

Traffic chaos in Pathankot
Pathankot, January 14
Traffic chaos has become a matter of concern for residents of the town. Earlier, the civil and police authorities had taken steps to regulate the traffic but the efforts proved futile after politicians interfered and pressurised the authorities to allow plying of mini buses and three-wheelers within the town.

Forty winks on the go: A youngster dozes off on the back of a rehri as his father ferries a load to its destination. — Photo by S.S. Chopra

Manch to launch campaign against MLA
Phagwara, January 14
The General Samaj Manch, Punjab, has decided to oppose those candidates who are supporting caste-based reservation. The decision was taken at a meeting held under the presidentship of Dr Ashok Sharma here today.

• Two arrested

Man booked for stealing scooter
Hoshiarpur, January 14
The Tanda police yesterday booked scooter mechanic Daljit Singh, a local resident, under Section 379 of the IPC on charges of stealing a scooter. The stolen scooter was recovered from him.

Floodlight installation in stadium stalled again
Deepkamal Kaur
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, January 14
The much-awaited project for the installation of high mast floodlights at the Olympian Surjit Hockey Stadium, Burlton Park, here to facilitate holding of day and night matches has once again stalled as the work orders could not be passed due to the implementation of the model code of conduct.

The project has been hanging fire for more than two years.

The Municipal Corporation Commissioner, Mr S.S. Johl, said the installation of lights had been postponed.

Interestingly, Ch Jagjit Singh, Minister for Local Bodies, had laid the foundation stone of the project. The project is to be carried out jointly by the Municipal Corporation and the Improvement Trust.

While the floodlights were installed in the Chandigarh stadium last year for playing host to Premiere Hockey League, no provision in this regard has been made here ever since as the civic authorities kept on blaming it on the lack of adequate funds.

The project cost was estimated by the corporation to be more than Rs 1 crore. Experts pointed out that lights of 1,000 Luminous Watts, costing Rs 1.7 lakh, were necessary for holding events of international standards.

The Director, Sports, Mr Pargat Singh, too had shown much interest in the implementation of the project as he laid stress on the fact that the numbers of spectators during the day time was too low owing to occupational engagements.

Once the lights are installed, the stadium will become suitable not only for playing international day and night matches but also with a facility of TV transmission.

Bhatti is NCP candidate 
Our Correspondent

Nawanshahr, January 14
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) organised a public meeting at New Grain Market here today. Mr Swaran Singh, Mr Harsimarjit Singh Sidhu and Mr Baldev Singh Moga, all presidents of the state unit of the NCP, the NCP (Youth wing), the NCP (Sewa Dal), respectively, Mr Gurmit Singh Kaler, district president, Chaudhary Mohammad Shafi, president, Gujjar Muslim Welfare Committee, Punjab, among others, addressed the gathering. Mr Harjinder Singh Bhatti was declared party nominee from the Nawanshahr Assembly segment.

Mr Swaran Singh, while talking to The Tribune, said the party would contest 20 seats in the elections. The poll plank of the party would be the “real development” of the state. 

Traffic chaos in Pathankot
B.B. Dogra

Pathankot, January 14
Traffic chaos has become a matter of concern for residents of the town. Earlier, the civil and police authorities had taken steps to regulate the traffic but the efforts proved futile after politicians interfered and pressurised the authorities to allow plying of mini buses and three-wheelers within the town.

At present, more than 4,000 auto-rickshaws and nearly 1,200 tempos and mini buses are ferrying passengers.

Mr S.M. Sharma, SDM, said he would shortly convene a meeting of officials of the Municipal Council and representations of local organisations to sort out the problem. 

Manch to launch campaign against MLA
Tribune News Service

Phagwara, January 14
The General Samaj Manch, Punjab, has decided to oppose those candidates who are supporting caste-based reservation. The decision was taken at a meeting held under the presidentship of Dr Ashok Sharma here today.

Releasing proceedings of the meeting, the manch general secretary, Mr Girish Sharma, told mediapersons that the manch would oppose the sitting MLA, Mr Joginder Singh Mann, and would launch a campaign against him as he was working against general category citizens. He even pressurised the police to register cases under the Atrocities Act against several persons belonging to the general category.

A 21-member committee was set up at the meeting which will finalise the next strategy for the campaign.

Mr Sharma said the manch would campaign in all Assembly constituencies, especially in reserve constituencies, against caste-based reservation. He declared that the manch was in favour of the economic-based reservation.

Mr Shiv Chopra, Mr Arvind Gupta, Mr Kewal Sharma and Mr Vijay Sondhi also addressed the meeting.

Two arrested

Phagwara, January 14
The local police, headed by SHO Lakhwinder Singh Mall, on Saturday arrested two members of an inter-district gang of robbers.

The arrested persons, Balwinder Singh and Baldev Singh, were booked under Sections 398, 457 and 342 of the IPC and under Section 25 of the Arms Act. 

Man booked for stealing scooter
Our Correspondent

Hoshiarpur, January 14
The Tanda police yesterday booked scooter mechanic Daljit Singh, a local resident, under Section 379 of the IPC on charges of stealing a scooter. The stolen scooter was recovered from him.

According to the police, residents noticed Daljit Singh while he was stealing the scooter. They overpowered him and handed him over to the police.

Meanwhile, Amrik Singh of Talwandi Salan village reported that his Qualis was stolen from Thana Chowk.

In another case, the Hariana police has registered a case under Sections 353, 186, 506 and 34 of the IPC against Vishnu Tiwari and Mohan Lal, both residents of Bhunga, on charges of assaulting Sudesh Kumar.