Bathinda, November 7
Diwali, the festival of lights, can illuminate even the lives of jail inmates. And despite the apprehension that jail inmates can abscond, the authorities release them in the hope that it will strengthen their family ties.

The Central Jail, Bathinda, released about 101 prisoners on parole between September 20 and October 20 last year. This time, 72 prisoners have been released on parole and 24 more are hopeful of being released before the festival.

The jail superintendent, L. S. Jakhar said, “It is good for the social and mental well-being of the prisoners. After they come back, they take things in a normal way.”

Amarjeet of village Bhucho has been in Central Jail for many years, imprisoned under section 302 of the IPC. Before leaving on parole for celebrating Diwali with his family members, he said, “I am excited about seeing my wife and children. I have made plans for celebrations. Last year, my parole application was delayed but this time, I hope to be temporary released tomorrow.”

Karnail Singh, assistant jail superintendent, said, “But for this generous act, the prisoners would have gone wild. It would create a lot of rivalry.”

Giving details about the period of parole, a jail official said, “Every landless prisoner is entitled to temporary release for a period of four weeks, twice a year. Prisoners who are land holders get six weeks twice a year subject to their behaviour and other formalities.”

Giving details, Jakhar said on October 7, the jail had 1,464 inmates but a month later, on November 7, the number of inmates is 1,344.

The official record of the jail states that last year, there were 53 absconders, but at the number has come down to 17 as the rest have been re-arrested.

Bathinda district has five absconders while the rest belong to Mansa, Muktsar, Ferozepur, Faridkot and some other places.

An official in the jail’s warrant office said the attitude of the inmates who go on parole and who could not vary a lot.

Rinku of Mansa, imprisoned under section 302 of the IPC, said, “If someone released on parole does not come back on time, he has to face losses. He loses the security amount which is heavy and also entitlement for parole for a period of one year.”

Prisoners awaiting their release discussed at length their responsibilities that they wished to fulfill during the period of parole.

About how Diwali is celebrated inside, Jakhar said, “No crackers are allowed inside the jail premises but sweets will be distributed among the inmates.”

Bathinda, November 7
Bathinda town is bracing up to celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights with usual enthusiasm, unmindful of security threats. People here are busy in heavy purchases in tastefully decorated and illuminated bazaars, brimming with shoppers.

People are seen cramped in gift, sweets, fireworks and jewellery shops and local shopkeepers are doing a roaring business.

Preceded by other occasions like ‘Dhanteras’ and ‘Bhai Dooj’ purchasing starts about a week ahead of the main festival.

The jewellery and utensil shops in the town were packed during the day as people purchased new utensils of metal and jewellery as it was considered auspicious and a harbinger of prosperity.

The festival is not complete without fireworks. Frowned upon by environmentalists, firecrackers can lead to serious accidents but the spirit of Diwali is so empowering that people find it convenient to forget this for a while.

The shopkeepers were doing brisk business selling crackers including the high decibel bombs, which explode with big booming sound. “We enjoy the fireworks and bursting of crackers and feel that the celebration is incomplete without it,” said a resident of Veer colony.

Navdeep Saran, ENT specialist, says that kids should take precautions while celebrating Diwali as the sudden sound of explosion can cause temporary deafness and splinters from the crackers can damage the cornea of the eye. The pollution caused by the fireworks also creates problems for asthmatic patients, she adds.

DIG Jitender Jain, who will be celebrating Diwali with his family at home, feels that the residents should celebrate a pollution-free and peaceful Diwali.

Children should burst crackers under the supervision of the elders, take precautions and enjoy the festival without falling prey to any mishap, he added.

Bathinda, November 7
Members of the Behman Jassa Singh Agni Kand Insaf Dwao Action Committee held a meeting at Gurudwara Haji Rattan Sahib, here today.

At the meeting, members of the committee decided to intensify their protest to demand compensation and financial support for the three daughters of Gurjant Singh, the cop who allegedly immolated himself along with members of his family on September 29. Gurjant was a resident of village Bahman Jassa Singh in the district.

The members alleged that government was not taking any action against the accused policemen in the case ostensibly because it had been carried out at its behest.

Reacting to the statement of the DGP that the case is pending in the court, the members said, “The police is just passing the buck as the court has neither issued any direction nor has it imposed any restriction.”

The convener of the committee, Jagjit Singh Joga, said, “The committee will take along doctors, professors, members of the panchayat, businessmen, social thinkers and political parties to protest against the government’s attitude in the case on November 24.” Joga threatened that in the second stage of the protest, the members would gherao the office of the DSP, Talwandi Sabo, and hold a road block on December 12.

The members accused the police of tampering with the FIR in the case.

The committee also decided to perform the ‘Jal Parvah’ ceremony of Gurjant Singh, his wife Jasveer Kaur and his daughters Veer Pal Kaur and Beant Kaur in the presence of general public.

The daughter of Gurjant Singh, Raj Pal Kaur, brother Baldev Singh and Budh Singh were accompanied by Jagjit Singh Joga, Kaka Singh, Ranjeet Singh, Gurbachan Singh Bhullar, Baldev Singh Sandoha. The meeting was presided over by Surjeet Singh Sohi.

Bathinda, November 7
When Keralites could be good at swimming and Bengalis in archery, why can’t Punjabis be good at shooting as it was synonymous with their dare-devil approach? And pretty much they do their nation proud too. That’s what a promising brand of shooters from Punjab has been doing for quite some time now at various championships, the world over. Five out of a total of nine sportspersons, who have qualified for the Beijing Olympics, are from the land of five rivers.

While the city of Bathinda proudly boasts of its international shooter Avneet Kaur Sidhu, a Commonwealth Games medallist, it is also a fact that for lack of a proper shooting range in the city, she has to practice at the Dashmesh Girls College in Badal village, some 30 odd kilometers from here.

Shooting runs in people’s blood of Malwa. And familiarity with the weapons and its style of operation increases as children grow up. This needs to be exploited by the state .

Not many people know that a shooting range is located in the Bir Talab area. It had come up in the late 1970s, but was closed within a year after the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, came into being, as according to the Act, no forest land can be put to use for any non-forest purpose without the prior consent of the Central government.

Bir Talab area falls under the classification of second-class forests as per the provisions of the then Patiala Forest Act. As the shooting range was a non-forest activity, it could not be raised within a forest. Bir Talab forest houses a Deer Park in which black bucks, cheetals, sambhars, and various species of birds are kept. Having a shooting range in the area is in contravention of the provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

A visit to this shooting range today revealed that it was in a bad shape. Weeds have grown over the entire area and it’s very difficult to make out whether it’s a shooting range or an abandoned building.

Raja K. S. Sidhu, secretary general, Punjab Rifle Shooting Association and general secretary, Punjab Olympic Association, who hails from Bhucho in Bathinda, is obsessed with shooting and was also instrumental in the formation of the District Rifle Club, Bathinda. The club has helped budding shooters from the area to avail of the facilities which otherwise would have been difficult to get

“If we need to win a medal in Olympics, we need to start this sport at the school level. Our association is willing to give all help to schools across the state, who are willing to take up this sport in their respective schools,’’ Raja K. S. Sidhu said. 

Fazilka, November 7
The Punjab State Human Rights Commission (PSHRC) has issued a show-cause notice to two police officials on account of dereliction of duty.

The notice has been issued on the basis of a complaint filed by one Sandeep Gumber of Fazilka.

In the complaint, Gumber had alleged that his father, assistant sub-inspector (retd) Raj Pal Gumber, was assaulted by some persons more than a year back. Following the incident, his father reached the police station to lodge a complaint.

But the then station house officer (SHO) Parminder Singh and duty officer, ASI Sewa Singh, reportedly refused to record his complaint.

Instead, Raj Pal Gumber was taken into custody and the police officials allegedly demanded a bribe from him.

Gumber had also alleged that the police officials had instigated the alleged accused to attack him.

The PSHRC, while dealing with the complaint, found that SHO Parminder Singh and ASI Sewa Singh did not perform their duty properly. The commission has issued them a notice to appear on December 17.

The commission observed that charges of illegal detention, demand for money and instigation of attack were not proved.

However, Parminder Singh and Sewa Singh were found to be negligent in not recording the statements of the complainant and his father and not taking lawful action. Hence, the police officials have been issued a show-cause notice by the commission.

The notice has been issued under section 16 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.

Abohar, November 7
With the recovery of a body from the Malukpura sub-canal here, the police officials here as well as in the neighbouring border area of Hindumalkot believe that Pala Singh, a resident of village Chak 1-C and Rajinder Kumar of village Panjawa in this sub-division, were killed last week after they were kidnapped near village Balluana on the Abohar-Malout road by some assailants travelling in a car.

According to information available, Rajinder Singh of village Chak 1-C had lodged an FIR with the police here on November 1 stating that he along with Pala Singh and Rajinder Kumar were going to Muktsar when a white Maruti car intercepted their tractor- trailer near village Bahawalbasi on the Abohar-Malout road (National Highway number 10).

Six persons came down carrying a 12-bore double barrel gun and sticks. They thrashed Pala Singh and Rajinder Kumar and put them in the car. They told him to leave the tractor-trailer near village Balluana on way to Malout and had threatened to kill him.

He escaped through the fields and managed to reach a roadside dhaba (eatery) on the outskirts of the town here.

The local police had registered a case under sections 364 and 384 of the IPC, and sections 25, 27, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act.

The tractor-trailer was later found abandoned near village Inakhera.

Yesterday, some persons noticed a body floating in the sub-canal near village Qabarwala and informed the police. The same was recovered near village Kerakhera and shifted to the civil hospital here for post-mortem.

Meanwhile, the kin of Rajinder Kumar identified the body. The police have added section 302 to the FIR, sources said today.

Bathinda, November 7
Devasheesh Ghosh (23), a jawan of 155 Regiment, 56 APO, allegedly hanged himself to death at his quarters in the cantonment, here on Tuesday night.

Police sources said Ghosh was deployed at the cantonment. After his duty in the evening, he returned to his quarters.

Around midnight, another jawan came to his quarter to send him on duty again and found him hanging in the toilet.

ASI Gurjeet Singh said that after receiving the information, a police team reached the spot and broke open the door of the toilet. The body was rushed to the civil hospital.

After the postmortem, the body was handed over to the Army authorities.

Police has initiated inquest proceedings after registering a case under section 174 of the CrPC.

Bathinda, November 7
Accusing a petrol pump owner of allegedly tampering with a diesel vending machine located at his pump in Gehri Buttar village, near Sangat Mandi, farmers of two villages, Bhukhian Wali and Dunewala in Bathinda district, sat on dharna for an indefinite period. The petrol pump belongs to the Indian Oil Corporation.

The Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta) Sidhupur group, district president, Hardev Singh Jai Singh Wala said that a farmer, Teja Singh of village Bhukhian Wali, went to Goel Filling Station located at village Gehri Buttar today morning to get diesel. “He got a 200 litre drum filled with diesel, but on reaching home, he found out that there was only 170 litre diesel in the drum. In protest, farmers of that village, along with farmers from Dunewala village, held a protest march outside the petrol pump.’’

SHO Sangat, Malkit Singh said that policemen, along with Indian Oil officials and Food and Civil Supplies department officials have inspected the filling machine and found that out of five litres of diesel, the machine was giving only 4.72 litres. “The department officials have sealed the machine and are looking into the matter.’’

A seven-member committee has been formulated by the farmers to look into the issue.

Bathinda, November 7
A strong message to save the Mother Earth was effectively conveyed through a colourful programme held with great pomp and show on the annual day of St Xavier’s School, here today.

The schoolchildren highlighted the theme of ‘Save Mother Earth’ through various cultural mediums like lyrics, songs and dances to portray the dangers posed to the earth and ways to ward them off.

The children were attired in special dresses, matching with the sub-theme of the dance or the song. The theme coincided with the Diwali festival and related to pollution. The message from the young children was apt and timely especially in the light of global warming becoming a worldwide concern and the Malwa area itself being affected by it.

The athletic meet for boys and girls was also organised on the occasion. Highlighting the achievements of the school, the principal of the school, Father Bernard D’souza said 38 students from the school had scored above 90 per cent marks in Class XII examinations this year.

Incidentally, it was the school’s first batch in Plus Two as the institute was upgraded to the senior secondary level only recently.

Additional deputy commissioner Upjeet Singh Brar was the chief guest on the occasion. However, some of the parents appeared to be peeved, as they reportedly had to pay for the dresses used by their wards during the function for whom it was compulsory to take part in at least one event.

Abohar, November 7
The prinicpal of DAV College of Education here, Vinita Singh, felicitated 33 students for winning 27 prizes at the Panjab University’s zonal youth festival held at Ferozepur.

The winners outperformed participants from 20 colleges, which prompted the principal to felicitate them during the morning assembly at the college campus for bringing unprecedented glory to the alma mater.

Since the principal had been taking a keen interest in grooming the contestants, it was a fit occasion for her to be jubilant, said Ajay Khosla and Amandeep Kaur, in charges of the contingents.

Fifteen of the winners would represent the zone in the Panjab University Diamond Jubilee Inter-Zone Youth and Heritage Festival to be hosted by the DAV College here from November 15. The function would conclude on November 18.

The toppers in different events included Jaidev, Manoj, Manju, Pardeep, Dheeraj, Rakesh, Vishaldeep, Palwinder Singh, Navjot Kaur, Gurpreet Kaur, Satpal Singh, Rakesh, Parnam Singh, Himanshi, Neetu, Garima, Ruchika, Lakshami, Jyoti, Madhu, Preet, Vandana, Aarti and Meenakshi.

Bathinda, November 7
The members of the regional unit of the Punjab State Ministerial Services Union, Bathinda, held a protest march outside the Deputy Commissioner office, here today.

The members wore black badges to mark their protest. Female clerks also too part. The protesters demanded payment of dearness allowance (DA) in cash.

They further demanded that promises mentioned in the election manifesto should be fulfilled and vacant posts be filled up.

The protesters submitted a memorandum to the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Upjeet Singh Brar, in the absence of Deputy Commissioner Rahul Tewari.

Earlier reports had said that the Punjab State Ministerial Services Union, had decided to observe a black Diwali this year in protest against the alleged apathy of the state government towards them.

Moga, November 7
The Disabled Persons Association (DPA), Punjab facilitated in arranging marriage of physically challenged couple, Gurdit Singh of village Mudki in Ferozepur district and Veerpal Kaur of village Bambiha Bhai, here today.

Both the groom and bride are suffering from polio in the right leg.

President of DPA, Punjab, Harnek Singh said it was the Association’s endeavour to bring forward the fact that physically handicapped persons were matching pace with the fast developing world with a resolute approach and determination.

He said besides the occasion, it was an opportunity to inform persons battling with physical disability and their parents about concessions and quota being offered by the government. He said the Persons Disabilities Act, 1995 gave clear guidelines about the rights and concessions to the handicapped.

However, he rued that little knowledge and limited means were the biggest obstacles in extending the benefits to the physically handicapped. The Association also held seminars and medical camps for the physically challenged.

Ajit Singh Shant, MLA from Nihal Singhwala and Seetal Singh, chief parliamentary secretary, were among those present to bless the couple.

Barnala, November 7
To revive the ancient herbal techniques used for health and beauty, the Punjab Vaid Association celebrated Dhanvantri day here today. Dhanvantri is considered to be the godfather of ayurveda.

Addressing a gathering on the occasion, Pritam Singh Rahi, state president of the Vaid Association, threw light on the life of Dhanvantri and the history of ayurveda. He said there are about 3,000 herbs available in India, which has been used for ages to heal the patient. He appealed to the people to believe in this ancient practice and not to run behind allopathy, which was costly and had a lot of side-effects.

Dr Brahm Dutt, former registrar of the Punjab Ayurveda Board, said the policies, which were framed during the Pepsu state for the development of ayurveda, could not be implemented.

At the same time, he hoped that health minister Laxmi Kanta Chawla's efforts to revive the ayurveda system in medical education would yield good results.

Meanwhile, Bhola Singh Virk, vice-president of SAD, applauded the role of ayurveda in healing serious ailments. He said that ayurveda is an ancient technique and benefits society as it is cheap, easily accessible to common people and has no side-effects.

Being the president of Guru Gobind Singh College, Sanghera, he offered land for setting up an ayurvedic college in Barnala. He said that Malwa had a strong base of vaids and their demand for the establishment of an ayurvedic college was genuine. He also assured that he would take up the matter at an appropriate party forum.

Mansa, November 7
The 10 acre pond situated in the heart of the city has become a cause of concern for the local residents of Mansa as sewerage and water from the drains flows into the pond. The foul stench around it has made it difficult for the passersby to cross the stretch. Dead animals are also a common sight. Despite several complaints from the residents of Nagar, Dubwala, Bagwala Bhai Gurdas, Aulakh and Rambagh localities, the authorities seem unconcerned about the situation. According to sources, a garden and stadium was proposed to be constructed here but nothing has come into existence so far. Former MLA Buta Singh said the authorities should look into the matter and demanded a prompt solution to the problem. — OC

Abohar, November 7
The BKU (Lakhowal) gheraoed the office of the agriculture department in grain market area on Wednesday. The farmers regretted that DAP fertiliser was not available even when the sowing season for wheat had started.

The BKU also condemned the department for not taking action against persons found guilty of selling fake Bt cotton seeds. However, sources in the department claimed that all cooperative agricultural societies had been supplied sufficient quantity of DAP as per the demand registered. — OC