Jalandhar, February 18
As soon as the Assembly elections were over, criminal incidence suddenly increased in different parts of the district. As many as four persons were murdered in just three days and “kala kachewala” gang struck at Alipur village in the wee hours on Sunday.

It may be a coincidence but the general view is that as most of the criminals remained busy in canvassing in one or the other way for different candidates, the crime was almost negligible during the elections but once the elections are over, they restarted their criminal activities.

However, the district police did not agree with this view.

The SP (Headquarters), Mr S.K. Kalia, said as far as the murders were concerned, they had been done prima facie for individual reasons and were not organised crimes.

The theft by “kale kachewale” gang was a worry for the police and the police was trying to solve it as early as possible, he added.

Mr Kalia said the murder of Baldev Singh had already been solved. He said the victim’s contractor Kalap Nath, a migrant from Bihar, had attacked him on his head over some issue. The accused was still absconding, he added.

As far as the death of aged Jai Kaur is concerned, it seemed as a natural one. The postmortem report also suggested the same, he said, adding her viscera had been sent to Forensic Laboratory, Patiala, for chemical examination and it would be clear only after that report whether she had been killed or not.

Besides Suresh Saini and Rajinder Singh’s were migrants and prime facie they had been killed due to some personal reasons, he added.

lFebruary 15: In a blind murder, the body of Suresh Saini of Basti Peerdad was found from a nullah located in Leather Complex here. The man was apparently killed as there were injury marks on the neck.

lFebruary 16: An aged woman Jai Kaur (90) was found dead at her house located in Buta Mandi falling under the police division number six.

lFebruary 17: The body of Rajinder Singh of Rajjab village was found at Mustapur village falling under the Kartarpur police division. His body bore injury marks.

lFebruary 17: Builder Parminder Singh’s father Baldev Singh was murdered. The victim was a distant relative of a Punjab minister Amarjit Singh Samra.

lFebruary 18: A kale kachewala gang struck at Harbilash’s house and robbed them of cash and jewellery in Alipur village falling under the Lambra police division. 

Jalandhar, February 18
The third World Punjabi Conference concluded here with Punjabi scholars from India and Pakistan urging the Indian and Pakistani governments to relax visa norms and to promote Punjabi by making Punjabi a compulsory subject up to primary level in private and government schools.

The scholars also stressed upon that the Punjabi philosophy and culture should be made part of the educational curriculum at different levels.

“Both the Indian and Pakistan governments should relax visa norms to such an extent that people could move freely in the two countries to understand one another. Visas should be given in such a way that there is no restriction in free movement of people on either of the two sides,” said one of three resolutions passed on the concluding day of the conference.

Dr Manzoor Izaz from Pakistan proposed that the next Punjabi conference should be held in Lahore. He also lauded the efforts made by organisers to make the event a success.

Earlier, Dr S.S. Johl, head of the concluding session of the conference and renowned economist, said the culture played an important role in bringing people together.

“All of us should strive to strengthen Punjabi language,” said Dr Johl.
Dr Karnail Singh Thind, president of the conference, expressed his gratitude to people who worked day and night to make the show a successful event.

“In this conference, we have brought important issues concerning Punjabi language in focus. Now we need to resolve these issues unitedly,” said Dr Thind.

Dr Jatinder Pal Singh Jolly, Mr Janmeja Johl, Prof Nirdosh Kaur, Dr Gurdev Singh Chandi, Prof Harkishan Singh Mehta, Prof S.S. Joshi, Prof Zora Singh and Mr Saroop Singh Alag, among others, addressed the gathering.

Jalandhar, February 18
A large number of doctors from the North attended the annual conference organised by the Indian Medical Association (IMA-Punjab) here today.

The Amritsar branch of the IMA was adjudged best in the state, while the Hoshiarpur branch was declared the second best in the conference, which revolved around “Legal implications in the medical practice.”

A symposium to highlight various sections of the IPC and the PNDT Act was also part of the event.

Mr Suresh Arora, IG, Punjab Police, spoke on “Professional negligence and criminal law”, while Dr Neeraj Nagpal, president of the Chandigarh unit of the IMA, highlighted issues relating to the Consumer Protection Act.

Dr Debashis Das, a consultant from Nova Nordisk, Bangalore, enlightened doctors about initiation of insulin therapy and on newer insulins, while Dr Dinesh Khullar highlighted the management of hypertension.

Dr Gautam Ahluwalia, Dr Kuldip Singh and Dr Navdeep Khera spoke on issues like post-HIV exposure, chronic renal diseases and laparoscopic surgery.

Dr G.S. Gill, president of the IMA, Punjab, said about 20 excellence awards were also given to doctors for their community related services.

Dr M. Abbas, national president of the IMA, was the chief guest.

Dr Anil Kaystha, Commandant, Military Hospital, Jalandhar, Dr Manmohan Singh, chairman, IMA-Punjab and Mr Sukhwinder Singh Marar, ADC, Jalandhar, also spoke.

Nawanshahr, February 18
The Asian Writers Association, Denmark, yesterday conferred Baba Bulle Shah Award upon Afzal Tausif, a Pakistani writer, at a function held at Government High School, Simbli, near here.

Overwhelmed by the rousing welcome accorded to her by the people, Afjal Tausif said she had been finding herself short of words to explain her feelings to compliment the affection shown by the people. She also expressed her gratitude towards the association for its gesture to present her the award at her native village.

This award had become unforgettable for her as “the fragrance of the soil of her native village” was mingled with it, she said.

Tausif, while terming the confidence building measures for improving the Indo-Pak relations as inadequate, demanded that these measures should be made more liberal. The measures should be strengthened with an eye on furthering the interests of the people of both the countries rather than the whims of the imperialistic powers, she argued.

Mr Rana Naveed Iqbal, a nephew of Tausif and Editor of Independent Weekly; Mr Swaran Singh Parwana, chairman, Asian Writers Association; Dr Jatinder Pal Singh Jolly; Dr Jagbir Singh; Dr Satinder Singh Noor; Dr Kulwant Kaur; Dr Lakhwinder Singh Johal; Dr Gurbhajan Singh; Mr Ajmer Sidhu; Mr Gurcharan Badhan; Ms Niranjan Kaur; Mr Harmander Singh; and Mr Lajwant Singh Laj, among others, addressed the gathering.

Jalandhar, February 18
The annual S. Harbans Singh Purewal Memorial Village Olympic Sports Fair will be organised at Hakimpur village in Nawanshahr district from March 7 to 9.

The events related to wrestling, kabaddi, dog race, bullock cart race, tug of war and horse race will be organised during the fair, said Mr Gurjit Singh Purewal, an NRI and the organiser.