Goniana (Bathinda), February 24
Alleged rape of a minor girl by a 58 years old employee of the Markfed today triggered violence at Goniana near here. An irate mob ransacked the house of the accused, Narendera Kumar, and gheroed the police station demanding that he should be paraded through the streets of the town on a donkey. 

However, the situation was brought under control by the police that was deployed in strength.

It is alleged that Narendera Kumar, in his last days of service, raped the 6 year-old girl yesterday when she went to his house to play with his grand daughter. Finding her aloof as his grand-daughter was not at home, the man allegedly raped the girl. The shocked girl informed her mother about the incident that was reported to the police. A case was registered in the Nehian Wala police station last night following her medical examination. As the news about the dastardly incident spread this morning a large crowd gheroed the police station demanding exemplary punishment for the accused.

Residents of the area continued to squat outside the police station till late this evening. They became restive and attacked the house of the accused smashing the television, two-wheelers, fridge, furniture and other belongings. Thereafter, the mob raised anti-police slogans and threatened to set the police station on fire in case immediate action was not taken.

Commandos and police reinforcements from the nearby Nathana police station were rushed to control the situation. After getting assurance of appropriate action, the mob dispersed from the place. Police then took a round of the town and inspected the smashed house of the accused.

When, P.K. Yadav, a probationer IPS officer deputed at the Nehianawala police station, was contacted, he said, “the mob wanted the accused to be beaten publicly, which is absolutely against the Law. We have given them assurance of appropriate action.”

On the issue of damaging the house of the accused, the incharge of the police station, Boota Singh said that a case under the relevant sections of the IPC would also be registered against the demonstrators.

Talwandi Sabo (Bathinda), February 24
The day was full of activities on the campus of Mata Sahib Kaur Girls College and M.S.K.G. Collegiate Senior Secondary School as the principal, staff and the students celebrated the annual prize distribution function here today. The day was dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the college.

The chief guest on the occasion Surinder Kaur Badal, wife of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, laid the foundation stone of the new hostel block at the college premises.

The principal of the college, Inderjeet Kaur Deol, after welcoming the guests apprised them of the achievements of the school and the college students in academics, sports, religious education, cultural activities and martial arts (Gatka).

She said the college was started in June 2007 with just 25 students.

“Being a backward area, there was virtually no importance given to the girl education and today the college could boasts of imparting education to over 850 girls,” the principal added.

Inderjeet said that the college students visit neighbouring villages to educate the villagers.

The day that started with shabad kirtan was marked with various cultural events performed by the students. The recitation of “Vaar” by Kamaldeep Kaur and her two friends generated thundering applause from the audience.

Besides, over 400 prizes were distributed among the students and the staff members. The prizes were in the fields of academics, sports, religion, NSS and cultural activities.

Balwinder Singh Bhunder, general secretary of the SAD, presided over the function. Parmjeet Kaur Gulshan, member of Parliament and Amarjeet Singh Sidhu (retd IAS), area in-charge of the Talwandi Sabo constituency, were the guests of honour. Besides, deputy commissioner Rahul Tewari, and SDM Talwandi Sabo Anil Kumar Garg were also present on the occasion.

The principal narrated to the chief guest and Bhunder the difficulties being faced by the students and appealed them to release grant to the college. She said that the college library was sans furniture and that sports stadium was still incomplete for the lack of funds.

The general secretary of the SAD assured her to do the needful.

The chief guest released the college magazine “Gyan-Pipasa” (Thirst of Knowledge) and exhorted the girl students that besides academics and sports, knowledge about one’s religion, culture and traditions were also important.

The principal and the SAD general secretary honoured the chief guest with a shawl and a memento.

Professors, Manorma magh, Sandeep Kaur and Ridhi Jindal compered the function.

Bathinda, February 24
Three workers of the Guru Nanak Dev Thermal Plant (GNDTP), Bathinda, today fell unconscious while they were installing steel plates in coal mill 3 A of one of the boilers. Though the exact reason of the incident was yet to be ascertained, doctors at the civil hospital felt that it might be due to some gas like carbon monoxide which entered the workers’ brain and stopped the supply of oxygen there.

The workers included unskilled workers Shiv Kumar and Mandar Singh, and a skilled worker Harish Kumar. They have been admitted to the civil hospital.

Talking to the TNS, Mandar Singh, who was out of danger then, said, “The incident happened around 11:30 am today, when we were installing steel plates in coal mill 3 A of one of the boilers of unit III, which is presently undergoing annual overhauling. When we entered the coal mill, we felt problem in breathing and were also feeling cold. After that, I, along with two co-workers, fell unconscious within few minutes.”

After the whole incident, the ambulance at the GNDTP brought the workers to the civil hospital.

Dr Harjit Singh at the civil hospital said, “All the workers were brought to the hospital in an unconscious state. Immediately, we gave them first-aid. Shiv Kumar and Harish Kumar were given oxygen, while Mandar Singh regained consciousness after few hours. We think that it is due to some gas, which is believed to have formed due to some reasons, that the workers fell unconscious. All of them are out of danger now.”

Gursewak Singh, president, GNDTP Employees Federation, said, “We believe that there was some gas in the coal mill, which we think formed due to some unknown reasons.”

A.S. Mokha, chief engineer, GNDTP said, “We are looking into the matter so that the exact reasons of our workers falling unconscious could be known. I have asked my subordinates to find out the reasons and brief me about the whole incident.”

Talwandi Sabo (Bathinda), February 24
Some villagers who came to attend the function apprised the chief guest, Surinder Kaur Badal of the problem of drug abuse, they were facing. One of them, Harnek Singh of Talwandi Sabo urged her to organise drug de-addiction camps in the village as a large number of youth were influenced by drugs.

Narrating their woes, he informed the TNS that as young as 25-years-old are falling prey to smack and this disturbing trend has become a cause for worry. Moreover the administration is not paying much attention to the issue, he added.

Another member, Uttam Chand, said, “For the past four to five years addiction of smack in the area has increased manifold and asked her to take strict action to control sale of smack in the area. They said that a gram of smack was illegally and freely available for Rs 500.

Both complained that the two officers, SHO Attri and SDM Kawaljit Kaur Brar, were doing a good job for the village but they were transferred and now there is no one to hear their grievances.

Though she gave the Panchayat members an assurance, however, the members were not confident if their demands would be met.

It is worth mentioning here that a large number of residents in their early twenties have fell prey and died because of this drug.

Talwandi Sabo (Bathinda), February 24
Surinder Kaur Badal, wife of chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, today refuted the speculations that her daughter-in-law, Harsimrat Kaur, was being projected as the contestant from the Bathinda parliamentary constituency. 

Accompanied by SAD general secretary Balwinder Singh Bhunder, she was here to attend a prize distribution ceremony at the Mata Sahib Kaur Girls College today.

Replying to questions on the issue, she added, “Only male members of our family take part in politics. So, question of plan to project her does not arise. She is only giving support to Sukhbir.”

While talking to the TNS, she expressed her desire to see her Sukhbir further graduating in the politics of the state.

Countering the query regarding Sukhbir’s baptism, she said, “There is no need that he should be baptised as he was already away from evils.”

Evading the query relating to the contradictory statements issued by Manpreet and Sukhbir Badal on certain contentious issues, she said, “They have very cordial relation and if there was any contradiction, it must be on some political issue. I do not interfere in the political matters.”

Lending support to Surinder Kaur, Bhunder made intervention in most of the queries. On the issue of using the vehicles of other private bus operators during the rallies to mobilise party activists, both of them assured that this time, buses belonging to Badal family— Orbit and Dabwali Transport Company— would also ferry the workers.

On the issue, Bhunder further added that during the whole year of the SAD government in the state, no bus operator had been compelled to deploy buses for the political rallies.

When asked that there was an allegation that ‘langar’ was provided by the Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) in the political rallies of the SAD, they refuted it saying, “The SAD and the party supporters only pay for the food provided to the activists during political events.”

Refuting the allegations that the ‘Insaaf Rally’ was launched to promote Sukhbir, Surinder said, “Being a party president, Sukhbir is expected to lead the rally and he is just performing his duty to put pressure on the Centre for the rights of the people of Punjab.”

Bathinda, February 24
Whatever may be the claims of the Army authorities and the civil administration regarding the rehabilitation and welfare of ex-servicemen, the former soldiers are at the mercy of private security agencies when it comes to getting a job.

These ex-soldiers are a harried lot as they have to fend for themselves with little or no help from government agencies. And since theirs is a divided house, their problems get compounded.

The District Sainik Wefare Board, headed by an ex-Army officer, is in existence but a large number of ex-servicemen are victims of official apathy and are made to run from pillar to post to get their grievances redressed.

“The government has virtually shrugged off its responsibility towards providing employment to the ex-servicemen and instead, allowed private security agencies to step in,” says ex-serviceman Baldev Singh Joshi.

“In fact, these security agencies are acting as middlemen and are not giving full payment to the ex-servicemen working for them. The employment exchanges and the Board are not offering any direct jobs and were forwarding the names of the ex-servicemen to private recruitment agencies,” he added.

Joshi regretted that the authorities had not been able to provide a proper ‘helpline’ that could redress their problems and grievances.

The local administration had not accepted the request made by Brigadier Rajinder Singh, Bathinda sub-area commander, in May 2006, to provide 12 to 20 feet space to set up a helpline.

The request was made to the then deputy commissioner Rahul Bhandari. And the then chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh had also assured to do the needful but nothing came out, he rued.

The attitude of the political parties was also apathetic. The ex-servicemen were being hired on a contract basis for peanuts, at about Rs 2,500 per month, said another ex-serviceman.

Brig (retd) Bant Singh, vice-president of the Board, when contacted, said: “A helpline is in place at the cantonment and the ex-servicemen approach the helpline to get their problems resolved.”

He added that job opportunities were, however, limited as the ex-servicemen were not willing to go out.

The vice-president said the salaries were paid keeping in view the competence and experience.

“Any ex-serviceman can come with his grievances and meet me at the Saink Bhawan on Monday,” he added.

Bathinda, February 24
When you go to a shop to buy a shoe, you normally tell the number. It could be 5, 6, 7, 8 or more, but it is in inches. You may find it hard to believe but a local cobbler has made a 7 feet one inch ‘jutti’ (shoe), bigger than a full size sleeping bag.

Pawan Kumar is crazy for doing something unique and has ventured to make the BIG shoe on order from a Jaipur trader. In fact a foreigner placed the original order with the Jaipur trader who passed it on to Pawan.

A resident of Guru Nanak Pura Mohalla, Pawan is in his early thirties and engaged in craft of shoemaking for past two decades. He adds art to his craft and makes ‘juttis’ with striking ‘Jari work’ (Embroidery with fine golden or silver threads).

Working in partnership with Ganesh, he enjoys his work and is always keen to do something ‘different and unique’.

‘It took me one week to make the giant size shoe with 11.5 Kg of leather and I am looking forward to some exciting venture to give exposure to my vision and creativity,’ he says with dreams in his eyes. No doubt shoemaking is his livelihood but it has become his obsession making him flirt with new ideas.

Earlier, Pawan Kumar had made 3-feet long boat in which his kids used to sleep. ‘

My father Raura Singh is my ideal and I have learned the art and craft of leather work from him,’ he says with gratitude.

Bathinda, February 24
Hundreds of families living in the Bhai Mati Das Nagar, Model Town Phase I, besides many others, who are residing near one of the Rajwaha (tributary) — from village Bibiwala towards village Shergarh of Sirhand Canal are living under threat of a flood, with water being level with the road at many places and even breaches appearing at several places.

Besides the already prevailing weak spots along the tributary, there is continuous erosion along the banks of the canal that could lead to a possible inundation of areas in the city. Though the banks of the tributary are being continuously eroded at many places, the irrigation department authorities are yet to wake up from their slumber.

Intriguingly, there are many weak points in the banks of the tributary, which can be washed away anytime by the strong and fast currents of the water flowing through the tributary.

Various areas situated alongside the tributary revealed that the roads lining the banks of the tributary were being eaten into by the swift flow of the water in the canal.

At some places, the earth had caved in to such an extent that the road was converted into a narrow trail where even the cars could barely pass.

One recent breach occurred early morning yesterday, where the water entered the fields of Nachhatar Singh, adjoining the cantonment area, for a second consecutive day.

“Yesterday morning, when I came to my fields, I found out that a small breach (about 8 to 10 feel wide) had occurred in the tributary, from where the water goes to water works of Model Town Phase I through a one feet wide water channel. I called up the Beldaar of the area, because the water had entered my fields and damaged three acres of standing wheat crop.”

“After that, the Junior Engineer of irrigation department came and with the help of some labour, the breach was filled. The banks being very weak, another breach occurred today morning from the same spot. Public health and irrigation department officials came and with the help of some staff, filled the breach once again. Now lets see, for how long, this ‘filling’ stays,” Nachhatar added.

Abohar, February 24
Five persons were killed in four separate road mishaps in Sriganganagar during the last 48 hours.

One pilgrim was killed while ten others sustained injuries when a jeep collided head-on with a truck near Mahajan village on National Highway 15 in Sriganganagar on Saturday. The victims were travelling in the jeep. According to information, one Kashi Ram Meghwal (60), of Koyalkhera village, along with his relatives was going to Ramdevra, a religious place located near Pokaran. Kashi Ram, his wife Meera Devi, and jeep-driver Goverdhan were suffered injuries. Kashi Ram, later, died on way to the hospital. Those who sustained injuries and were hospitalised included, Kashi Ram’s son Lakshman Dass, Goverdhan’s wife Rani and son Pawan (7), Rukma Devi , Mahabir and Rajpal.

In another road mishap, two passengers of a bus were killed and many others received injuries as the vehicle overturned on Rawla-Rozarhi road yesterday. Twenty-five of them were admitted to the community health centre at Gharsana, six persons had to be referred to Bikaner, sources said.  As per sources, the driver of the private bus lost its control while trying to avert a collision with a bullock cart. Farmers working in the nearby fields used tractors to drag out the bus from the watercourse. All those injured were first shifted to community health centre where Jiwan Ram Bawri and Puran Ram Bawri succumbed to their injuries. Later, 24 persons were shifted to the civil hospital at Rawla.

In another mishap near Gharsana yesterday, 16-year -old Gurpreet Singh Gopi was killed when he looked outside, while travelling with his uncle in a truck. Iron rod of a bridge pierced his head on Saturday. He was cremated today afternoon.

A cyclist, identified as Narinder Kumar (15), a school student, was crushed to death by a tractor-trolley on Sahwa bypass in the same region yesterday. His friend Pawan Kumar, riding pillion sustained injuries.

Mansa, February 24
Farmers of Mansa today felt relaxed when irrigation department released water in canal distributories after cleaning the sewerage.

It is notable that groundwater of this area is unfit for crops and on the other side long cuts of electric supply were affecting the farmers. They were bound to use diesel to start tubewells. According to the information, the sewage had been creating hurdles in the Kotla branch, which was coming from Sirhand canal, and Bhakra canal, which were the main water resources for the farmers of this area. Due to these reasons, the quantity of water had been decreasing continuously.

Xen of canal, Makhan Lal, said that special efforts would be done for cleaning the canals in the future. He assured that in the near future full water supply would be started in the canal distributories. —OC

Moga, February 24
Lt Col (retd) Jaswant Singh was killed while four of his family members, apart from three police personnel, were injured in an accident near Gill village in Baghapurana tehsil in the wee hours here on Sunday.

Singh was travelling in Innova with his family, while the police personnel of Highway Patrol were returning to the city after finishing their duty when the accident took place.