Rode (Moga), December 5
The controversy generated following the installation of the portrait of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale at the Sikh museum in Golden Temple, Amritsar, has peeved the residents of Rode, his native village in Moga district.

The Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) had installed a portrait of Bhindranwale at a simple ceremony held on November 29.

People in the village — that has six sarpanches — were generally of the belief that the installation of the portrait was not incorrect in itself. But they were resentful of the controversy that had arisen from it.

Major Singh and Joginder Singh, two elders in the village, were of the belief that one reason why the portrait had been installed belatedly was that the then acting head of Damdami Taksal, Baba Thakur Singh, had refused to accept his death till he passed away in 2004 by claiming that Bhindranwale was alive.

Satnam Singh, who owns a cloth shop in the village, said the issue had been blown out of context. According to him, almost all homes in the village have a photograph of Bhindranwale.

Located nearly 30 km away from Moga city, the village boasts of a dispensary, veterinary hospital, government primary school, government girls senior secondary school, a branch of cooperative society, FCI godowns and brick kilns.

Two private institutes in the village are being run in the name of Lord Mahavir and Baba Sheikh Farid. While the former was noted for renouncing worldly things and embracing non-violence, the latter had advocated brotherhood and love among human beings.

Balwinder Singh Bawa, district president, Sikh Students Federation (Mehta), who was present there, said it was a matter related to the Panth.

Barnala, December 5
Shiromani Akali Dal (A) chief Simranjeet Singh Mann today held chief minister Parkash Singh Badal responsible for the controversy arising out of the installation of the portrait of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and called upon him to diffuse the crisis.

Addressing a press conference here today, Mann also said that the Punjab bandh called on December 14 should not be allowed to succeed.

He said his party leaders would meet the Governor of Punjab on December 12 with the request that no political party or religious organisation should be allowed to observe a bandh on the issue.

Holding both the BJP and the Congress responsible for the killing of minorities, Maan said these parties had no right to raise a hue and cry over the portrait issue.

Abohar, December 5
Residents of Arya Nagar here thronged the official residence of the sub-divisional magistrate, shouted slogans against the police and sought the SDM’s intervention in tracing a youth, Monu. 

They told SHO Jagrup Singh that Monu had been engaged by an orchestra group at Shanker Market here to perform at marriage parties in Arniwala village, but he did not return home. The owner of the orchestra reportedly did not bother to inform the parents about his whereabouts.

Those who were accompanying him said Monu fell into a canal, as the peter rehra by which they were travelling, reportedly lost control while crossing a bridge on return.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court had banned the use of such vehicles but nearly a 100 peter rehras were being used here not only by traders but also by owners of private schools, sources said.

The protesters alleged that the staff at the Khuikhera police station had forced the parents to sign blank papers when they approached the authorities for initiating proceedings against the proprietor of the orchestra group.

The protesters were advised to meet the SDM at Fazilka as the area where the accident reportedly occurred came under his jurisdiction.

Bathinda, December 5
Against the unbundling of Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB), 200 odd members of Technical Services Union, Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta) Ugrahan group, other farmers’ and workers organisations sat on a dharna outside the railway crossing near the thermal plant here today.

They even disrupted the rail traffic on the Bathinda-Ferozepur railway line for more than two and a half hours.

Train number 1 RF, running between Fazilka and Rewari, was affected by the dharna as it was stopped by the protesters around 12 30 pm.

Even on November 21, a daylong strike was observed by Guru Nanak Dev Thermal Plant Employees Federation, Punjab State Electricity Board Employees Federation and Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta) against the unbundling of PSEB at the Guru Nanak Dev Thermal Plant.

Satwinder Singh, president, Technical Services Union (Bathinda circle) said, “The government should not restructure the PSEB into a company when its term expires on December 9, 2007.’’

Shingara Singh Mann, district president, BKU (Ekta) Ugrahan group said, ``All the state government wants to do is to benefit private companies by adopting such policies.’’

Women and children also took part in today’s dharna. The organisations taking part included the Kisan Sabha Punjab, Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union, the Mazdoor Mukti Morcha and others.

Barnala: In protest against the proposed unbundling of the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB), members of various farmers and employees organisations blocked rail traffic for three hours at Court Chowk railway crossing here today.

Jhanda Singh Jewthu Ke, state vice-president, Bharatiya Kisan Union Ekta (Ugrahan), led the protest.

The protesters threatened to launch a sustained struggle if the state government went ahead with privatising the PSEB. They squatted on railway tracks disrupting rail traffic from 12 noon to 3 pm. They also blocked vehicular traffic.

The activists alleged that the state government was toeing the line of the previous government. It boasted of being a farmer-friendly government but was not bothered about the problems being faced by the farming sector, they charged. — OC

Mansa: On the call of all India sponsoring committee, trade unions and farmer organisations blocked rail traffic and staged dharnas on the railway tracks yesterday and today for about two hours.

On December 4, All India Trade Union Congress  (AITUC) and Center of Trade Unions (CITU) blocked the rail traffic near the Mansa railway station and held a rally at the mall godown. In this rally, mainly the Food Corporation of India, the Riksha union and the Painter Union participated.

On the occasion, former MLA  Buta Singh, ex –MLA Hardev Singh Arsi, Kaka Singh and Ghan Shyam Nikku addressed the gathering and raised their demands. 

They protested against the policies of privatisation and disinvestments.  They demanded for increasing the minimum wages of workers.

Today, the Bharti Kisan Union (Ugrahan) blocked the rail traffic for two hours.

The state president of the Kisan Union  Joginder Singh Ugrahan ,Ram Singh Bhaini Bagha, Inder Singh Bhaini Bagha and Des Raj addressed the rally and raised their voice against privatisation of the public sector units. — OC

Abohar, December 5
The Railway Passengers Association (North Zone) has sharply reacted to the decision of the railway authorities to suspend 3007-3008 Udyan Abha Toofan Express from December 8 to January 31 on the Sriganganagar-Abohar-Delhi route.

The railway authorities here are yet to receive an official communication about the cancellation, but they have been told not to entertain any reservation request for the train after December 7.

The association, in a strongly worded letter faxed to the railway minister today, said this was the only train available to the passengers at night in Abohar, Malout, Gidderbaha and Sriganganagar areas.

The train, as per the railway manual, should cover 1,992 km distance between Sriganganagar and Howrah in 36 hours, but it takes 42 hours on an average. It was observed during the monitoring of the train that it was punctual for less than a month during the last 365 days.

Not only traders of this region, but hundreds of army personnel also will face problems arising out of the cancellation of the train. Fog is an alibi for the cancellation every time, but the climate is the same when it proceeds to Howrah from Mughalsarai, the association says.

Interestingly, the railway authorities had many a time assured members of the Divisional Railway Users Consultative Committee, including Hanuman Dass Goyal, Madan Lal Bhalothia of Abohar and Gur Prasad Behal of Sriganganagar, that the train would be equipped with better coaches besides improving amenities but the threat of suspension for almost two months hang every year over it. This would benefit private bus operators to the great inconvenience of regular passengers, the association lamented.

The NGO suggested that Global Positioning System (GPS) should be provided to ensure continuation of the Udyan Abha Toofan Express during foggy weather.

Bathinda, December 5
Barely hours after Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his MP son Sukhbir Singh Badal had left the city limits, the town witnessed virtual anarchy and chaos around 9.30 pm at night right in the heart of the city where three cinema halls are located.

According to eyewitnesses, the incident was triggered off when a white Scorpio was coming from the Goniana Mandi side. ``A cherry coloured Honda City was taking a U-turn from the road crossing opposite the Ajaib theatre. Both the cars collided and after that, they entered into a verbal duel, which turned into a fight.

``After that, a PCR bike reached the spot and tried to control the situation. The Honda City owner also made the policeman speak to some higher official in the police department. After that, the Honda City driver started abusing the cops.

In the meantime, other policemen reached the spot and caught hold of him and took him for a medical check-up as he was said to be drunk. Police diverted the traffic by forming human chain because their vehicle was on the other side of the road.

Meanwhile, another Maruti Zen in which four advocates were travelling, hit a policeman, part of that human chain. That led to a lot of altercation between the advocates and the police. Taking advantage, the Honda City owner fled.”

In the meantime, SHO Civil Lines Bhagwant Singh reached the spot. While all this was happening, on the opposite side of the road (which goes from Bathinda towards goniana), a canter truck was moving backwards.

The traffic was already diverted on that road and due to that truck, a Honda CRV vehicle and a Bolero collided. That led to another altercation.

As a last resort, police had to use mild lathicharge. Two Canada-based NRIs were injured in the melee. SHO Bhagwant Singh said that as none of the parties filed any formal complaint, no case has been registered.

Talwandi Sabo (Bathinda), December 5
Talwandi Sabo, also known as ‘Guru Ki Kashi’ is reeling under the problem of water accumulation. And the residents of the area allege that despite repeated representations made to the authorities concerned, no action has been taken so far.

Water has accumulated on a long patch of land close to the Takht Shri Damdama Sahib, a mosque, and a ‘Peer Khana’ due to the blockage of drains in the area.

The problem is so grave that passing the Gillan Wala Khuh area has virtually become a Herculean task as the whole area remains flooded with sewage.

Movement in the area had become difficult as stagnant water constantly emits a foul smell. Residents feared that this might result in the outbreak of an epidemic.

The road leading to Gurukashi College, Yadwindra College, university campus, BDO block, cremation ground and the courts remain inundated with drainage water.

“Every morning, we see the accumulated sewage outside our home, which causes disgust. I ask the authorities concerned through the newspaper, do we not pay the taxes?” rued Suresh Rain, a housewife.

Sharing his experiences, Balder Singh, the owner of a flourmill said, “The accumulated water creates a lot of inconvenience. Cyclists and others fall into the water and it has become a regular event.”

There are two ponds in the area, opposite each other. One pond has been totally covered with overgrown weed, while the other over-flows almost everyday. Water pump installed to drain the water, reportedly, generally remains out of order.

“When we approach the officials concerned, they simply say that the pinhead does not have sufficient funds to resolve the matter,” rued Rajesh Kumar, the owner of a printing press in the area.

“We have met the SDM several times, but our efforts were in vain,” stated Gore All, a milk booth operator.

Admitting the fact, SDM Tailwind Sabo, Anil Gag said, “We have been facing a funds crunch.” He also added that the pinhead had no source of income.

Abohar, December 5
The police arrested four persons on Tuesday in connection with theft of cottonseed cake (khal), DSP Parampal Singh said.

The CIA staff reportedly intercepted a tractor-trailer near the city bypass. As the occupants of the tractor were evasive to enquiries, they were taken in custody for interrogation.

Later, they conceded having stolen 160 bags of cottonseed cake from a cotton factory located on Fazilka road, on March 13. The police had registered a case against unidentified persons under sections 457 and 380 of the IPC.

The CIA staff recovered 55 bags from the trailer and arrested Nishan Singh, son of Bagicha Singh, and Jaswinder Singh, son of Gama Singh, both of Ramdev Nagar, and Chanan Singh, son of Kartar Singh of Kandhwala Amarkot village near here. They have been remanded to judicial custody.

Fazilka, December 5
The Czech Republic Magazine Carbuster in its 32nd issue, focusing on the theme ‘faith and environment” has selected Fazilka as the first Asian town for adopting the best energy saving practices to fight against global warming in transportation.

Fazilka has set the best example to reduce the effect of global warming. Using religion and world car free network, the city has been successful in bringing together organisations and individuals dedicated to promoting alternatives to car dependence at the local level and working to reduce the human impact on natural environment while improving the quality of life for all.

The campaign was started by the Patron of Graduates Welfare Association Fazilka (GWAF), Bhupinder Singh, on April 22 on the occasion of ‘Earth Day’ by organising a cycle rally for senior citizens followed by installing hoardings of holy messages from Shri Guru Granth Sahib by Guru Nanak Dev Ji on ‘Dharti Tapan’ (global warming) in Fazilka.

The campaign got an impetus this year when global warming became the theme of the “Fazilka Heritage Festival-2007.”

According to a survey conducted by Bhupinder Singh, at present, Fazilka generates 17.5 tons of solid waste every day. Residents have been called upon to stop the use of plastic ware and use CFL lamps instead of the conventional electric bulbs to conserve energy.

Singh maintains that Fazilka is the safest town as no pedestrian and cyclist’s death has been reported in road mishaps within the city zone for a long time.

It is primarily because of 160-year-old narrow residential streets design by the erstwhile East India Company.

To protect the environment, a slogan “Ganga Maiyaa Hum Tere Apradhi, Prayshchit Karenge Cycle Chala Kar, Ped Laga Kar” has been chosen due to the alarming situation arising out of the shrinking of Sunderban delta every year.

One thousand tree samplings have been planted along the Freedom Fighter road in the last five years. This stretch of road and its surrounding areas has been successfully converted into a zero-pollution zone.

The Indian Army has planted more than 9,000 tree samplings in and around Fazilka to bring more land under a green cover. 500 tree samplings have been planted and maintained by progressive farmers at different places.

This year, more than 3000 ‘sheesham’ samplings were gifted and planted by the progressive farmers.

Sub-divisional magistrate of Fazilka Rajiv Prashar has also taken up an initiative to check environmental pollution by imposing a ban on all school children up to the age of 18 years from going to school on automobiles.

Bathinda, December 5
Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) working president and Member of Parliament, Sukhbir Singh Badal today said that about 15 eminent sportspersons from Punjab would be honoured by the state government on December 8.

A function would be held on the occasion of the foundation stone laying ceremony of the international level cricket stadium coming up in Bathinda.

``The coming up of an international level cricket stadium is in itself a big occasion for this part of the state. Apart from citations, those sportspersons from Punjab would also be given cash prizes. These include five hockey players and the rest are from other sporting disciplines,’’ Sukhbir said while talking exclusively to TNS here.

Sukhbir was here to give a final shape to the arrangements for the SAD-BJP rally to be held on December 8.

He first went to the rally site at the stadium here and later to village Jodhpur Romana, where the foundation stone laying ceremony of the international cricket stadium would be held on the same day.

Sukhbir also confirmed that senior BJP leader L. K. Advani, former Haryana Chief Minister Om Parkash Chautala and other senior leaders of the country would participate in the rally.

According to sources in the sports department, ``A meeting for the same purpose was held this morning and names of all hockey players from Punjab, who were part of the winning hockey team at the Asia Cup tournament, were discussed. Other names that were discussed included cricket players from the state, who were part of Team India, which won the Twenty-20 Cricket World Cup, apart from sportspersons from other disciplines. Cash prizes, announced by the Punjab government for Asian Games medallists from Punjab, might also be given at the same function.’’

``These names could not be finalised because the hockey team is at a training camp for an international event while the players of Indian cricket team are playing a Test series against Pakistan. Finalisation of the names of the sportspersons depends on the availability of these players as well,’’ sources said.

Mansa, December 5
The poor condition of roads and ongoing construction work on an overbridge are creating traffic problems in the city.

The condition of the road from Teen Konee to the bus stand is quite pathetic. And this road is yet to be completed. As a result, accidents have become a regualar feature on the raod.

After the completion of the overbridge, traffic problems may ease here but as of now, long lines of vehicles could be seen near the railway crossing, on cinema road, Goushala road and hospital road.

Youth leader Krishan Chauhan  and Darshan Singh, president of the District Association of Journalists, said that road accidents had increased due to the heavy traffic on these roads. They also demanded that the flow of traffic must be regulated to resolve the problems.

Abohar, December 5
A police constable in an inebriated state was allegedly thrashed by drivers at the taxi stand here on Tuesday.

Drivers said the constable wanted money from them by threatening them to book under Gambling Act. They claimed they were only playing cards.

The constable was posted at the old police station and had no business to check the drivers as the taxi stand fell under main police station, sources said.

Bathinda, December 5
One of the most reputed battalions of Punjab Regiment is celebrating its 36th anniversary of the Battle Honour ‘Brachil & Wali-Malik’ from December 5 to December 7 to commemorate the supreme sacrifice of its war heroes who gallantly laid down their lives for the cause of their motherland during the 1971 Indo-Pak war.

The battalion achieved its greatest victory in the sub-zero climate of the Kargil sector in December 1971.

In this inhospitable and frozen high altitude terrain, the brave ‘Sant Sepahies’ as they are called, displayed a resolute and determined attitude.

Their coolness in adversity and physical fitness and toughness standing them in good stead, these gallant warriors overcame and annihilated the enemy under the able leadership of their Commanding Officer, Lt Col (Later Brig) B.S. Joshi, AVSM at the otherwise inaccessible Brachil Pass in Kargil Sector and captured 19 Pakistani posts.

In achieving this, 28 brave men of the battalion laid down their lives. The battalion attained a magnificent victory and earned a number of decorations which include 01 MVC, 01 VrC and 02 Sena medals and was awarded battle honour of ‘Brachil and Wali-Malik’ as a reward for their heroic deeds.

Bathinda, December 5
As the year inches towards its end, the performance of the students of Army School, Bathinda, have some notable achievements to its credit against their name.

Coach Sukhvinder Singh and Amrik Singh informed that students from the school have bagged 18 medals in CBSE cluster XV inter-school athletic meet and 22 medals in the Bathinda district junior athletic meet during the current year.

Rohit Pandey won the gold medal in javelin throw and triple jump in the under-16 boys category, while Sujata Yadav bagged gold in the 800m and 1500m, respectively in the under-16 girls category.