Ludhiana, March 2
Conflict between emloyees of two private transport companies over jumping the time schedule to board more passengers led to a clash in Kehri Jhameri village this afternoon.

A driver and conductor of Budhel Bus Service were beaten black and blue by the alleged musclemen of another bus company. Passengers travelling in the bus were also pushed around and manhandled. Some women also sustained injuries while trying to save the duo from the clutches of the goons.

The conductor Gurjant Singh alleged the goons of M.S Dhandra after beating them fled the spot snatching the collection bag containing Rs 20,000.

The incident occurred this afternoon when the driver Harwinder Singh (Ravi) stopped the bus at a patrol station near Khari village. The goons forcibly entered the bus and started beating the duo. According to witness Harpreet Kaur, the goons tried to crush the duo under the bus. “I along with other women of my village lean over the victims. During the process we sustained some injuries.”

Gurmukh Singh, owner of the Budhel service, alleged that he had given a written complaint to the bus stand police post regarding the threat to the life of his men from the goons of M.S. Dhandra bus service.

He further alleged that it is due to the lackadaisical attitude of the police that his men suffered injuries.

Meanwhile, the police has not yet registered an FIR. ASI Hardev Singh is investigating the matter. According to police both the parties have fought with each other in the past as well and recently settled their dispute.

It is said that the row was over the timing of the bus, as the driver of Budhel used to stand over the bus stop for longer period due to which other buses was facing losses. 

Ludhiana,March 2
Family members of a patient, along with members of the public, went on the rampage, manhandled a doctor and supporting staff and damaging the property and building of Krishna Charitable Hospital in Model Town here today.

Relatives of patient Kirpal Singh, who was admitted to the hospital on February 28 with respiratory problems, alleged that wrong medication had caused the death of the patient, who was otherwise improving and was to be discharged later in the day.

The irate relatives of Kirpal Singh, a resident of Sufian Bagh, manhandled Dr Deepak Rajput and nurse Manpreet,whom they charged with administering a wrong injection, resulting in the instant death of Kirpal Singh.

Dr R.K. Goyal, earlier treating the patient, was on leave today.In his absence, Dr Rajput was attending to the patient.

The hospital management, however, denied allegations of wrong medication, maintaining that the patient suffering several complications had had a heart attack, resulting in his death.

The doctors claimed that the patient was put on a ventilator but could not be saved. According to the management, the unruly crowd damaged hospital equipment, destroyed a ventilator, a monitor, broke window panes and caused damage to the committee room.

The police arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control. Eyewitnesses said the police resorted force but the management and the police denied the charge.

Even though police took into custody Dr Rajput and nurse Manpreet, no case was registered against them.

Police officials said the matter was under investigation and further action would be taken after the charge of wrong medication was established.

Raekot, March 2
Brain mapping by the forensic department of the Karnataka police, is the last hope of a family of Tibba road, Ludhiana, that has been running from pillar to post to know the fate of their daughter Manpreet Kaur, who had gone missing after leaving 2-month-old son at her in-laws house at the local Tazpur chowk area here on December 24, 2007.

Though the local police has registered an FIR under Section 304 B of the IPC against members of the in-laws family, no arrest was yet made. Having failed to extract any relevant information about the ‘death or body’ of the girl, the police has initiated process for getting brain mapping of prime suspects done by forensic experts of the Karnataka Police.

Her parents had accused her in-laws of allegedly murdering her, the suspects maintained that she had eloped on her own.

Harbans Singh (father-in-law), Surinder Kaur (mother-in-law), Pawandeep Kaur (brother-in-law) and Swaran Kaur (a maid) were booked for allegedly causing death of Manpreet Kaur.

According to Surinder Kaur, her daughter Manpreet Kaur had been married to Manpreet Singh about 15 months ago.

Though the family had spent a huge amount on her marriage, her in-laws had started harassing her for bringing insufficient dowry, soon after her husband left for some Arabian country.

During investigations by Davinder Singh, both parties levelled allegations and counter-allegations against each other and tried to support their claims with evidences.

Sensing the gravity of the case, the police constituted a SIT comprising Narinder Pal Singh Ruby, DSP, Gurdial Singh, SHO, and Gurmit Kaur, in charge women cell. The SIT has now initiated process for getting brain mapping of the suspects done from the forensic department of the Karnataka Police.

“Now when we have exhausted all other methods to find the truth, we have requested the SSP to arrange brain mapping of the suspect first.

“The DGP, on receiving requisition from Ludhiana (Rural) police, will take up the matter with his counterpart in Karnataka Police and we will take the subjects to Bangalore after a date is fixed,” said a member of the SIT while talking to the Ludhiana Police.

Ludhiana, March 2
She is all set to hit the small screen from tomorrow at Star Plus. A resident of Ludhiana, Jannatpreet Kaur has played the role of a child artiste in Balaji Telefilm's new soap-opera "Kis desh mein hai mera dil". The serial, directed by Ekta Kapoor, revolves around a Punjabi family in which the hazel-eyed Jannatpreet will surprize the audience with her acting skills and charm.

A fourth standard student of Sargodha National Public Senior Secondary School, Field Ganj, here Jannatpreet said she felt great while acting with experienced actors and directors from Balaji productions. The shooting of six episodes of this serial has already been completed at a haveli in Bhanjoli village near Kharar where shooting of Namaste London also took place. Some of the scenes have been shot at Bija and Chahal villages.

"Dorris, one of the assistants of Ekta Kapoor, was so impressed by me that she shot an entire dance sequence on me. I consider myself lucky for being selected for the role. As many as 1,500 child artistes from all parts of Punjab had come for auditions at Ludhiana, Chandigarh and Amritsar for this particular role", said Jannatpreet, adding that she was acting for the past four years. Besides, she will be seen in Punjabi movie "Hashar" with Babbu Maan, which is scheduled to be released in April-May.

Granddaughter of a veteran city journalist Karam Singh Musafir, Jannatpreet said she took keen interest in her studies as well. "I am doing good at school. My parents and the tuition teacher helps me a lot", she added.

Malkiat Singh, her father, said her only aim was to achieve greater heights like Aishwarya Rai. "She tries to copy the glamorous actress. She is inspired by her beauty and brains", said he, adding that the next month, she will be going to Chandigarh for shooting with Abhey Deol in the movie "Modern Devdas".

He also said Jannatpreet had performed in 14 shows with leading theatre artiste Nirmal Rishi at several places in UP, Delhi, Hapur, Ludhiana, etc. Her performance in "Dukhde Kalire" (on female foeticide) has been appreciated by people from all walks of life.

"I want to be a good actor. People should appreciate my acting skills. For that, I have to work very hard", said Jannatpreet in a confident manner.

Khanna, March 2
With the local administration having forwarded two proposals for the construction of an elevated road on the National Highway passing through the town, the residents see a ray of hope in getting rid of many environmental and socio-economic problems.

Being Asia's largest grain market, the town faces severe traffic congestion during four months at least of paddy and wheat seasons.

The 600-metre long elevated road, when completed, will relieve traffic congestion and noise and air pollution. The incidence of accidents and criminals escaping after hitting their target will also come down.

A civil authorities team, accompanied by Bikramjit Singh Khalsa, chief parliamentary secretary and local MLA, visited various locations with two proposals about slip roads and passages to the road.

Besides the convenience of locals, the interests of residents of surrounding villages and towns, including Samrala, Malerkotla and Amloh, were also kept in mind while finalising the proposal, claimed Khalsa. An amount of Rs 50 crore will be spent on the bridge, he said, adding that work on the project would start soon.

J S Sangha, technical manager, said the feasibility report of two proposals had already been sent to New Delhi where it would be processed further.

Starting from Kauri village near Libra in the north, the elevation will culminate near the Markfed building on the southern side of the city. Flyovers have been suggested at Bulle Pur Chowk, Amloh Chowk and Samrala Chowk.

Another side bridge may be constructed in between Samrala chowk and Amloh chowk.

Jagjit Singh Jajj, executive officer, local municipal council said construction of the elevated road would improve living conditions in the city.

SHO, Sadar police station, said the crime rate would decrease after the construction of the road. "At present criminals can easily escape after committing crimes. It will be easier for us to undertake routine checking of vehicles, passing through the city, after their number decreases," he said. 

Mandi Ahmedgarh, March 2
Even six months after the much-publicised submitting of applications for long leave by the 1990 batch Punjab police cops, they are yet to receive a response from senior officers regarding the rejection or approval of their demand.

Terming the reports about forwarding of one such application to the DGP’s office as “false propaganda” made by persons with vested interests, Nilabh Kishore, SSP, Fatehgarh Sahib, had maintained that no such request was ever received at his office.

The DGP office is learnt to have initiated the process to rationalise the promotional channel so that grievances of the affected cops were redressed before arguments in the cases filed in the court started.

Humiliated on being made to salute their juniors, certain officers appointed as ASIs in 1990, had started applying for long leave to pursue their cases in various courts.

“We are agonised mentally and socially as we have to explain to our family that our stagnation in the department is due to the violation of rules and not due to our default,” read one of the applications forwarded by an SHO to SSP, Fatehgarh, asking for leave for six months to pursue a case that he along with his associates had filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

All appeals made before the parent department and other constitutional bodies have proved futile so far. 

Ludhiana, March 2
The Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA) has hailed the decision of the Punjab government for extending grant of interim relief on "non-practice allowance" (NPA) and "dearness pay" to the PCMS doctors. 

This relief will be provided at the rate of 5 per cent retrospectively from 31-10-2006 along with basic pay and orders to this effect have already been circulated by the government through memo No: 27-182/06-5HBII/99 dated 7-1-08. The PCMS pensioners will also stand benefited with the interim relief.

In a statement here today, Dr Hardeep Singh, president, and Dr Balwinder Kumar, registrar, of PCMSA said this was part of anomaly in pay and pension of doctors for interim relief granted earlier to all employees of the state.

"The fresh orders issued now state that the government of Punjab has agreed in principle to the proposal that interim relief granted vide department of finance (finance personnel-I branch) letter no 6-1-95-FPI /6574, dated 3-10-2006 at the pay pension, is to be computed by pay/ pension, including dearness pay/pension and NPA. Now with this decision, the NPA and dearness pay will be equally considered as basic pay for calculating interim relief in case of PCMS doctors retrospectively from 31-10-2006."

The PCMSA functionaries further said that while the anomaly in grant of interim relief had now been solved, the PCMS doctors were still waiting for justice to get pay fixation formula for dearness pay after 50 per cent merger of DA which their counterparts in central health services were already getting.

According to Dr Hardeep Singh, all state government employees had already benefited by merger formula at par with their counterparts at the Centre, but the PCMS cadre was the only one in Punjab to have been denied dearness pay parity with their counterparts at Centre. The PCMSA urged for removal of remaining anomaly of calculating dearness pay as basic pay for providing NPA on the pattern of the Union Government.

Ludhiana, March 2
Dr Satish Narula, a Chandigarh-based senior extension specialist of PAU, held a slide show on urban landscaping here yesterday.

“From dream to reality, his thoughts live to inspire,” were the opening remarks of Dr Narula while projecting the landscaping of Chandigarh. He added that the name City Beautiful carried big impressions of the works of Dr M.S. Randhawa.

Dr Narula said Rose Garden was dear to Dr Randhawa’s heart who always emphasised love for nature and beauty. Dr Narula showed slides of some rare trees.

He lamented over the growing lack of concern among public regarding trees in the city.

He said injuring the trees by fixing nails, cutting or breaking the limbs cruelly, tightening wires, girdling the stems or branches to hang hoarding on trees should be discouraged through some enforcement.

PAU vice-chancellor appreciated the efforts of bringing the audience near to nature through projecting the city landscape scenes.

Ludhiana, March 2
Hira Singh Gabria, jails, tourism and tourism affairs minister, Punjab, has said that the SAD-BJP government, living up to the promises made during the elections, had launched development projects worth more than Rs 10,000 crore during its first year of being in power in the state and claimed that the pace of development would be accelerated in the coming years.

Gabria was addressing a well- attended function of sarpanches and panches organised to mark the completion of the first year of the SAD-BJP government at Jagirpur village on the outskirts of the city today.

At the function, the minister also distributed cheques of grants amounting to Rs 13.21 lakh among the panchayats of 34 villages falling along Rahon Road.

Listing the achievements of the government, Gabria said the government had launched a World Bank-sponsored Water Supply and Sanitation Programme of Rs 1,280 crore, out of which, Rs 751 crore were being contributed by the World Bank and Rs 245.40 crore would be the share of the state government, whereas the Government of India was contributing Rs 207.20 crore.

Earlier the minister and other leaders distributed sweets at Labour Colony among the workers on the completion of one year in office of SAD-BJP government.

Later at another function at Sarinh village, Gabria distributed cheques of grants of Rs 20 lakh among panchayats of 29 villages for development projects. He appealed to the people to elect sarpanches and panches of good record, so that the funds for the development released by the government could be efficiently utilised to ensure fast development.

Ever since the marriage palaces were moved out of the cities, they have started dumping their garbage on the roadsides. The trees in front of the marriage palaces have been cut. Roadsides could be seen littered with the garbage from functions organised during marriage ceremonies. Stray animals and birds rummage for food over these dumps. The stink and smoke emanating from these dumps if set afire becomes unbearable. Then there is this blaring sound from the music systems installed in palaces, throwing all the norms to wind. All this has made the life of those living nearby unbearable. Despite all these factors like haphazardly parked vehicles, those driven by tipsy drivers have resulted in numerous deaths. Will authorities concerned wake up before it’s too late.

CRIME

Woman says she was duped by cop
Our Correspondent

Mandi Ahmedgarh, March 2
A woman of Chhanna village has accused a cop and his accomplice of duping her of Rs 9.16 lakh on pretext of getting her son a job in the police or sending him abroad.

Claiming that her son had been selected in the police, the main suspect had also handed over a uniform, identity card and 84 free bus travel vouchers to her but these were found to be fake.

The Ludhiana (Rural) police, after recording the statement of the complainant has initiated a probe into the case.

Amarjit Singh, main suspect, denying charges levelled against him, counter alleged that the complainant was trying to frame him and that she had stolen travel vouchers from his house.

In a complaint addressed to senior police officials, Chhanna has accused her brother-in-law Amarjit Singh, a Punjab Police constable, and his accomplice of duping her of Rs 9.16 on pretext of getting her son Sarabjit Singh a job of ASI in the state police or sending him abroad. She alleged that the settled amount was paid to the suspects at a religious place at Nanaksar on various occasions during the past couple of years.

I was shocked to learn that the uniform and other documents handed over to us as testimony of being selected in the police were fake, she added.

Ludhiana, March 2
Students are taking yoga lessons to beat the examination blues. The city students are taking refuge in spiritual Yoga guru to de-stress themselves from the examination pressure.

Rishub, a Class X student, reconciles himself to yoga to get rid of the examination fever. “The pressure of appearing for a board exam makes me anxious and it gets overboard as it will decide my future. The score attained in the matriculation examination decides the fate of a student. So, in order to detach myself from the examination stress, I have started taking Yoga lessons,” he says.

“Black coffee and the tea are not helping me to concentrate on books. So, I have started learning Yoga and it will help me to concentrate on studies,” Swati said.Thus, Yoga gurus are making headway to the city and imploring students to join their centres.

Rakhi, a housewife, said children were already under tremendous pressure, high expectations of parents also exaggerate the panic of examination among them. “I told my children to do something for relaxation. I was surprised to see them doing Yoga,” she added.

Anirudh, a Class X student said, “I am keeping myself away from sports due to the examination because of the risk of getting injured. I cannot afford to get injured during the examination. I have fond Yoga the best safe way to check the pressure of examination.” 

Mandi Ahmedgarh, March 2
Thousands of devotees paid obeisance to Lord Rama and Lord Hanuman and listened to the bhajans recited by renowned devotional singers, Harvinder Singh Romy, Ghanyea Mittal and their accompanists, at a jagran. The annual jagran was organised by Shri Bala Ji Trust at MGMN Senior Secondary School here last night.

Many among the audience were seen dancing to the devotional songs sung by the singers.

While addressing the gathering during the jagran, Romy and Mittal said religious functions were the only occasions where political party leaders interacted with each other irrespective of their political affiliations.

“Contrary to the common belief that religion causes division among various communities and their leaders, including politicians, events like jagrans and nagar kirtans bring people from all sections of society closer,” said the devotional singers.

They pointed out that representatives of Hindu, Sikh and Muslim organisations had come to attend the jagran.

Ludhiana, March 2
Doctors from different specialities at free medical camp organised by the Senior Sikh Budhijivi Council at Community Centre in BRS Nagar here today to mark 300 years of “Gurta Gaddi Divas” of Guru Granth Sahib examined more than 450 patients. Free medicines were also distributed among the needy patients.

Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, MP, inaugurated the camp organised in collaboration with Ludhiana Mediciti Hospital and Dr Ramesh Eye Hospital. The SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar, Kanwal Inder Singh, member SGPC, Pritpal Singh, president, Gurdwara Dukh Niwaran Sahib, and area councillor K.L. Chhabra were also present.

A symbolic cycle rally was also organised to emphasize the importance of cycling as a mean of physical exercise in order to keep fitness.

The team of doctors comprising Dr H.S. Bedi, Dr Sanjeev Rajput, Dr Nadini Bedi, Dr Ramandeep Singh, Dr P.M. Sohal, Dr Ramesh, Dr Bikramjit Singh Sandhu, Dr Gaurav Sachdeva, Dr Raman Singla, Dr Deepak Mehta and Dr Punit Verma were presented ‘siropas’ by Lochan Singh Bhan, president of the council.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, March 2
Residents of the Doaba and Malwa regions of the border state are more susceptible to Hepatitis C, a silent epidemic that has already claimed many lives.

Dr Harmeet Singh Saluja, a gastroenterologist, expressed this apprehension while he was talking to The Tribune after examining over 100 patients at a medical camp organised jointly by SPS Apollo Hospital and Hind Hospital to celebrate the birth anniversary of a former education minister, the late Basant Singh Khalsa, here today.

Saluja called upon office-bearers of various social, educational and other bodies to educate people about the causes and consequences of the dreaded disease.

Referring to the observations made by experts, Saluja pointed out that the prevalence of HCV infection in the rural population was lower than that reported from industrialised cities and towns. But it calls for public health measures, including health education to check the problem.

Meanwhile, Bikram Jit Singh Khalsa, chief parliamentary secretary, has called upon social organisations of the area to create awareness among the masses about preventive methods to save society from dreaded deceases including Hepatitis C and kidney disorders.

The call came on the occasion of the inaugural function of the medical camp. In all, over 500 patients were examined by Dr Ramanbir Singh, endocrinologist, Dr Saluja and Pamposh Raina, urologist. 

Ludhiana, March 2
Navdeep Kaur of BEd and Sumesh Kumar, student of MEd, stamped their authority over others and were adjudged the best athletes among girls and boys, respectively, in the 8th annual sports meet of Partap College of Education, Hambran road, here today.

Sucha Singh Langah, minister for agriculture, Punjab, was the chief guest on the occasion. He announced a grant of Rs 2 lakh for the college. Members of the Partap Charitable Trust, faculty and students were also present there.

Results: Boys: long jump: 1 Ashwani Kumar, 2 Sumesh Kumar and 3 Gurwinder Singh; shot put: 1 Mandeep Singh, 2 Sumesh Kumar and 3 Iqbal Singh; javelin throw: 1 Sumesh Kumar, 2 Iqbal Singh and 3 Mandeep Singh; badminton: 1 Ashwani Kumar, 2 Parveen Kumar; kho-kho: 1 BEd, 2 MEd; volleyball- 1 ETT and 2 MEd.

Girls: shot put: 1 Charanjit Kaur, 2 Reeta Rani and 3 Parul Sharma; javelin throw: 1 Parul Sharma, 2 Gagandeep Kaur and 3 Geetanji; badminton: 1 Rita Rani, 2 Devinder Kaur; kho-kho: 1 BEd and 2 ETT; long jump: 1 Navdeep Kaur, 2 Jasdeep Kaur and 3 Namita Chhiba.

Ludhiana, March 2
The first edition of the Inter-Institutional Athletics Meet of Punjab College of Technical Education (PCTE) group, Baddowal, was organised at ITBP grounds yesterday.

The meet included 11 different sports events in which around 1,400 students from all PCTE Institutions, namely PCTE Institute of Pharmacy, PCTE Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology and Punjab College of Technical Education participated.

O.P. Yadav, Commandant, ITBP, inaugurated the event. Dr K.N.S. Kang, director general, PCTE Institutions, Dr O.P. Sahni, dean, PCTE, along with directors of other institutes of PCTE were present.

In 800m, Damanveer of BSc II (ATHM) bagged top honours while Erica of BCA II finished ahead of others to win 400m for girls.

Sartaj of MBA final year secured first position in 400m in the boys’ section.

Manpreet Singh, Trigun Veer, Varinder Singh and Narinder Singh, students of BCA II, bagged the title in the 4x400m relay for boys. Navneet Kaur, Erica, Simranjeet and Ummi of BCA II emerged winners in the girls’ section.

Sartaj Singh of MBA II and Rupika of BCA II proved their mettle in the 100m sprints to emerge as fastest runners among boys and girls, respectively.

Team comprising of Pushpinder and Ravinder bagged first prize in the three-legged race in the boy’s section while Gagandeep Kaur and Sandeep Kaur of BSc I (ATHM), bagged first prize in the girl’s section.

In long jump, Aman of MCA I proved too good for her rivals to win the title while Kanchan of MBA final year got second position.

In shotput (boys), Bir Devinder of BBA and Khushvinder of BHTM (PCTE Institute of Hotel Management) bagged first and second positions, respectively.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, March 2
Sukhwinder Kaur of BA II and Amrit Pal Singh of BA I were declared the best athletes of Shanti Tara College during the 13th annual athletics meet that concluded on the college premises.

Prem Gupta presided over the concluding session and Arvind Malhotra was the chief guest.

While addressing the gathering, they called upon the students to shun drugs and devote more time to studies.

Principal Balbir Singh claimed that college students had won numerous prizes at inter-college and inter-university contests.

According to Charan Preet Dua, at least 200 students had taken part in various events during the meet.

Results: Women: 400m: 1 Sukhwinder Kaur, 2 Amandeep Kaur, 3 Manpreet Kaur; 200m: 1 Sukhwinder Kaur, 2 Ramanjeet Kaur, 3 Kamaljeet Kaur; 100m: 1 Sukhwinder Kaur, 2 Ramanjeet Kaur, 3 Kamaldeep Kaur.

Shot put: 1 Sukhwinder Kaur, 2 Dalbir Kaur, 3 Pardeep Kaur; long jump: 1 Sukhwinder Kaur, 2 Pardeep Kaur, 3 Amandeep Kaur; 4 X 100m race: 1 Lala Laj Pat Rai House, 2 Ambedkar House, 3 Bhagat Singh House.

Men: 1500m: 1 Ram Parshad, 2 Gurjit Singh, 3 Tejinder Singh; 400m: 1 Prit Pal Singh, 2 Paramjit Singh, 3 Ram Parshad; 200m: 1 Sabar Ali, 2 Prit Pal Singh, 3 Gurjit Singh; 100m: 1 Sabar Ali, 2 Paramjit Singh, 3 Amrit Pal Singh.

Shot put: 1 Varinder Chaudhary, 2 Amrit Pal Singh, 3 Amandeep Singh; long jump: 1 Amrit Pal Singh, 2 Tejinder Singh, 3 Sabar Ali; high jump: 1 Amrit Pal Singh, 2 Gurjit Singh, 3 Sukhjiwan Singh; javelin throw: 1 Varinder Singh, 2 Paramjit Singh, 3 
Ranjit Singh.