Jalandhar, July 14
Punjab DGP on Saturday admitted the existence of police-drug smuggler nexus in some areas of the state. Addressing a battery of mediapersons here on Saturday, the state police chief NPS Aulakh said efforts were on to break the connection. The ‘culprits’ would not be spared, he added.

Replying to a question on registration of a case against Bhogpur SHO Sukha Singh, who was suspended for his alleged links with a drug smuggler Bakhshinder Singh alias Bhinda, Aulakh said if the charges are found to be true an FIR would also be lodged against the officer.

“The drug smugglers will be dealt with an iron hand. We have already written to the Centre for its approval to confiscate the properties of 18 drug peddlers who were nabbed in Jalandhar district recently. We are just waiting for the go-ahead,” said Aulakh.

Regarding acquittal of baby killer Darbara Singh in some cases, the DGP said DIG NP Singh had called a special meeting where steps would be taken to strengthen the prosecution’s case.

“The decision on filing an appeal in Punjab and Haryana High Court against Darbara’s acquittal would also be taken in the meeting,” he added.

DGP said that PCR system would be extended to rural areas in the state. Punjab police would be acquiring 100 more motorcycles for the purpose, he said.

Jalandhar, July 14
The government elementary schools here are in a bad shape. Poor facilities, paucity of staff plague majority of these institutions.

While dingy, crumbling classrooms greet one at Bhargawa Nagar school, the one at Tej Mohan Nagar doesn’t have even these ‘luxuries’. The 135-year-old school has no building of its own and is operating from a temple dharamshala. The miserable plight of the students, especially those of primary section, is evident from the fact that they do not have any classrooms.

The kids are forced to sit in the verandah. The three chairs are meant for the equal number of teachers. The primary wing of the school has just one room which is converted into a store, with broken furniture and utensils dumped inside. The rainy season adds to the woes of students. “Since the verandah width is not much, our clothes, bags and books get wet when it rains,” said one of the kids.

The middle wing has its own share of problems. With mathematics and science teachers proceeding on long leaves, the teaching work has been badly affected.

The language teachers said they have been trying to make stop-gap arrangements but without much success. “A new teacher will be appointed soon and for the purpose PTA funds would be utilised,” disclosed one of the staff members.