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Gangster meets gory end
Tension in Kundanpuri, adjoining colonies; security beefed up

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 4
After a lull of over two years, gang war has erupted in the city once again with an alleged gangster Gurpreet Singh alias Billu Badshah allegedly murdered by nine persons of the rival Rocky Gang near Pritam Dhaba last midnight.

The assailants attacked him with sharp-edged weapons outside Pritam Dhaba, Do Moria bridge, where he had gone with his brother to have dinner.

The assailants targeted only him and inflicted about 15 wounds on his head, arms and stomach. His brother, Jaswinder, was left unhurt.

A resident of Kundanpuri, Billu, had over 10 FIRs against him in different police stations. He was accused of running illegal finance business, liquor trade and offering protection to lottery trade.

The police has booked nine persons, including his arch-rival Rocky for the murder. Sources said both used to work together in the Nirdosh Dhand group before Dhand was arrested in 2006. They part ways later.

Those booked include Rocky, Lovely, Lamba, Amarjit Singh Mandal,

Raman Kumar, Mehndi, Kaali, Sachin and other unknown persons. The police said the assailants were on the run.

Tension remained in Kundanpuri and adjoining colonies after the murder. Members of his gang brandishing swords roamed in the streets shouting they would take revenge.

Additional police force was deployed in Kundan Puri after the body of the alleged gangster was brought home. The police had to keep special vigil in the area during his cremation in the late afternoon.

The police has also jacked up security in the areas where the accused live to ward off any attack by an unruly mob on their houses.

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Four cars gone in 15 min
Thieves target Sarabha Nagar market

Jupinderjit Singh
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 4
Sarabha Nagar main market is witnessing an unusual trend of car lifting for the past couple of months. An unbridled gang of youths is stealing cars at will. Surprisingly, stolen vehicles are found abandoned on the outskirts of the city, especially Lalton village, after use for few hours or maximum two days.

Nearly 40 cars, ranging from the most insecure Maruti 800 to the latest models, boasting of safer locks, have been conveniently opened and taken away.

What is astonishing is that the cars are left after a few hours without a single thing, even audio cassettes or VCDs or any other accessory, missing from these. The vehicles have also not been used in committing any crime. Moreover, there is not a single dent on the recovered cars.

"It seems that the lifters are some youths, who steal cars and drive them around until they run out of fuel. They may have been impressing friends, especially girls,” said a police official.

He was, however, worried at the trend, "The ease with which the youths are taking away the cars may set them up for a bigger crime."

At the same time, the trend exposes the loopholes in the police vigil. Cops sound alerts all around about a stolen car, yet the thieves conveniently drive the vehicle to the outskirts before they could be checked.

This Sunday night, four cars were reported stolen in a span of 15 minutes only from the busy market. Dr Muktinder Singh, a well-known homeopathic doctor, was one such victim. His white Maruti 800 was lifted at about 11 pm within minutes it was parked. He called the police control room to which two cops riding the PCR motorcycle No. 42 responded. The doctor had, meanwhile, called a couple of journalists and Akali Minister Hira Singh Gabria, who called the police for urgent action. Bingo, the car was found parked outside Sarabha Nagar Gurdwara, just 300 metres away.

The place is overcrowded on the weekends. As per an estimate, over 500 cars are parked there on such days. With just 15 cops on the rolls of the Sarabha Nagar police station, not more than five can be deployed here.

A police official said three Maruti Esteem cars, one Maruti Zen, a Honda city and a number of Maruti 800 cars had been stolen in the past two weeks only, but all of those were found.

Cops are puzzled on the motive of the crime, "It seems the youths are just getting a high stealing cars. The exact motive could only be known if one of them was nabbed." The police would have to intensify vigil in the area. Cops, especially in mufti, would prove helpful in catching the thieves red-handed.

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IMA Bandh Partial
Silent protest by docs at MP’s house
Kuldip Bhatia

Ludhiana, March 4
The half-day call for bandh given by the Indian Medical Association (IMA), in protest against vandalism at Sri Krishna Charitable Hospital here on Sunday and a case being registered against a doctor, evoked a mixed response.

While OPDs in major hospitals functioned normally, a majority of private nursing homes and clinics in the city and elsewhere in the district, remained closed for the first half of the day.

After holding a meeting at the IMA House to chalk out strategy against the increasing attacks on medical professionals and police high-handedness in this respect, hundreds of doctors marched to the residence of Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, MP, where they staged a silent protest against the Akali Dal leader, who had reportedly exerted pressure on the police for booking Dr Deepak Rajput.

Addressing the meeting of doctors at the IMA House, Dr Narotam Dewan, Dr M.K. Sobti, both vice presidents, and Dr Rajeev Gupta, secretary of the IMA, called upon the government that frequent attacks on the medical fraternity and mob violence at hospitals and nursing homes called for legislative measures.

The state government ought to proclaim an ordinance on the pattern of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pardesh to curb violence against doctors and hospitals.

Meanwhile, the faculty, medical students and staff of Dayanand Medical College and Hospital has expressed solidarity with the medical fraternity while condemning the mob attack by relatives of a patient at Krishna Charitable Hospital here on Sunday.

The DMCH further criticised the arrest and confinement of a doctor in the Model Town Police Station under Section 304 without investigating the case with the help of medical experts or the IMA as laid down by the Supreme Court of India.

The local branch of the Indian Dental Association (IDA) at its executive committee meeting, convened here today, offered full support to the IMA in its protest against the high headedness of the public at Krishna Charitable Hospital. The IDA secretary Dr Vikas Jindal said it was high time the government took legislative measures to protect the doctors as had been done by state governments in several states.

The PCMS Association, Punjab, has also come out in support of the IMA in condemning the attack on the hospital and unlawful action of police in detaining the concerned doctor, in gross violation of directions of the Apex Court.

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It pays to be a dog
Canine to get more allowance than a soldier

Mahesh Sharma

Mandi Ahmedgarh, March 4
Recognising their potential for learning complicated skills, the defence ministry has begun recruiting 8,000 dogs in various units guarding the international border.

While an amount of Rs 1,000 (approximately) is allowed for the ration of one soldier, the entitlement of these trained dogs would be worth thrice the amount.

With the security agencies procuring more dogs, owners of kennels have raised the prices for pups of various breeds. While trained dogs were earlier “hired” from other organisations, the Indian Army and the BSF have established their own training centres now.

"As dogs trained by other organisations, including the police, did not serve our purpose, the authorities decided to establish separate centres to impart military training as well as obedience training for pups," said the CO of a BSF unit that visited the town to procure dogs from a kennel yesterday.

The most vital function performed by the dogs at the border is to discover hidden mines. It was noticed that the dogs many a time failed to perform this task.

Planters of mines have started fixing devises that trigger off as soon as the dogs bark and excavation begins. The dogs will now be taught a different strategy.

The dogs will be trained for a variety of tasks. Sentry dogs may work guard dogs at military installations and sensitive civilian locations.

They will warn soldiers of intruders. Scout dogs will be trained to operate in silence to help "sniff out" snipers and other dangers. The less privileged dogs may be taught to courier material among soldiers in both combat and non-combat situations.

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50 tola jewellery stolen
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 4
In one of the biggest robberies in the city in recent times, a gang of eight persons looted nearly 50 tolas of gold and silver jewellery, besides 250 rolls of cloth from a hosiery, J Arim Fabrics, and house of industrialist Rajinder Jain in Sunder Nagar last night.

Jain along with his family had gone to attend a marriage in Kothari Resorts when the robbers struck. The security guard Kharak Singh was found beaten black and blue and tied in the house by another guard who had come for duty on his shift past midnight.

The loss was being assessed but the police estimated it to be more than Rs 15 lakh. Senior police officials led by SSP RK Jaiswal inspected the site. The police used finger print experts and dog squad to find some clue from the crime site.

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6 exam officials removed
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 4
District education officer (DEO-Secondary) Sudesh Bajaj has removed at least six erring officials for not handling examination duty professionally during the ongoing Class VIII and plus two Punjab School Education Board examination.

Among them are two superintendents and four teachers. One centre superintendent was found under the influence of liquor when a raiding party reached the school premises while the examination was in progress.

Two teachers were found officiating for the paper which they themselves taught. They were replaced by Davinder Singh, superintendent at Government Senior Secondary School, Galib Khurd. DEO Sudesh Bajaj said during her visit to Government Senior Secondary, Lattala, she found the door bolted from inside. The way was blocked with benches. The principal Krishna Davi was not present in school.

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MC contractors form cartel
To apply for tenders on partnership basis
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 4
Learning from past experiences, in which tenders had gone for a loss of 30 to 40 per cent, several contractors of the municipal corporation have formed a cartel for tenders that would be opening in the future.

By forming the cartel, they would apply for the tenders on the partnership basis and these would not go for a loss. This way, the MC would lose on money as the stiff competition among the contractors were helping the civic body to pay less for a work.

Though the loss for contractors in tenders was a cause for concern for the MC officials, who were fearing that if the tenders were being claimed on so less a price, the contractors would compromise on the quality of work. Elected representatives of the public had even mooted the idea of cancelling the allotted tenders and issue those afresh.

But the mayor had then stated that they would take a certificate of quality from the engineers of building and roads department that the work was of good quality. He had said if the contractor suffered losses, the MC had nothing to do with this.

The MC had called tenders for five road projects worth Rs 18 crore today. These were, however, not opened today. Sources said the contractors had already decided among themselves about the projects.

Sources even confirmed the names of the contractors, who had applied for the tenders. The projects include re-carpeting of Humbran Road, Gill Road and three parts of the Chandigarh-Ludhiana road.

They added that there were six contractors in the race and they were even claiming openly about the projects they would be allotted.

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Teenagers fight fire in house
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 4
Six teenagers of officers colony near old courts complex controlled a fire in their neighbourhood and prevented it to spread further in the evening today.

The fire broke out in the house of vice-principal of Government College for Women Neelam Sharma at around 4 p.m. These teenagers, including Avinash Partap Singh, Ilamjot Singh Harry, Krishna Bedi, Kamal Kumar, Prabh Simran Singh, Ishwinder Pal Singh, who were playing nearby, saw the smoke emanating from her house as nobody was at home.

They broke in the house and removed the LPG cylinder from the kitchen. They put off the fire with the help of water.

When the fire brigade reached the spot, the fire was already controlled. The owner of the house said they had lost Rs 20,000 cash that was reduced to ashes and several household goods.

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PSEB staff stage dharna
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, March 4
Under the banner of the PSEB Employees Joint Forum, employees of East and West circles jointly organised a dharna in front of the headquarters of the Punjab State Electricity Board here today to press their pending demands and lodge a protest against anti-employees policies of the board management.

Speakers focused on the ongoing agitation of the employees towards demands which included scrapping of the Electricity Act 2003, filling vacant posts and creating new posts depending on the work load, providing compassionate employment to kin of employees and putting an end to contractual work and outsourcing for spot billing.

They, however, regretted that the PSEB management, rather than conceding genuine demands of the agitating workers, was resorting to vindictive action against trade union activists through suspensions or posting them to far-flung places. Citing a recent example, they alleged that after the member of the PSEB was shown black flags in the city, six union activists were transferred to far away places.

Prominent among the speakers at the dharna were Amarjit Singh Sodhi, Karam Chand Bhardwaj, Swarn Singh, Parkash Singh Mann, Karam Chand Khanna, Harbhajan Singh, Amrik Singh, Darshan Singh Dhillon, Kewal Singh Banwait, Rajinder Singh Virk and Ramesh Kumar.

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Despite govt order, ex-servicemen being charged toll
Our Correspondent

Jagraon, March 4
Toll contractors give a fig for the government instructions and charging of toll from ex-servicemen continues unabated on the Jagraon-Nakodar Road. Retired officer Rajinder Singh Sidhu felt harassed when despite showing his identity card, agents of Rohan Raajdeep Tollways Ltd on the road did not allow his vehicle to pass through the barrier till he paid Rs 40. Talking to this correspondent, Sidhu showed a memo No. NHAI/ CMU/ GMA.TT/ Exempt toll tax-1166 dated November 17, 2006, issued by the National Highways Authority of India , which contains orders that the defence personal/ex-servicemen and their families were exempted from paying the toll tax on production of identity card. Sidhu also cited an order of Sangeetpal, Civil Judge, senior division, Gurdaspur, wherein the company had been restrained from charging the toll from ex-servicemen.

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Peace returns to Habib Gunj; 39 booked
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 4
Habib Gunj remained peaceful today following the police efforts to strike a compromise between the warring groups, registration of three FIRs against large number of persons for rioting yesterday and crackdown on illicit liquor and illegal lottery shops.

SP City-I Ashish Chowdhry said the leaders of different groups resolved their difference across the table at a meeting held late last night. The supporters of different groups cleaned the streets themselves where stones and broken bottles were strewn around after the Monday afternoon clash.

The police has also sent a message that no violence would be tolerated. It has booked 39 persons for rioting , damaging property and injuring a Punjab HomeGuards head constable Balkar Singh.

The accused belonging to different groups were Fakir Chand, Gyan, Raju, Makhan, Joshi, Raja, Matty, Raju and Goldy. All accused were absconding.

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Bid to grab property
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 4
The police has booked unknown persons for allegedly razing a structure to grab a plot near Manju Cinema last night.

The plot owner Manna Singh lodged a complaint with the police that the unknown person tried to grab his property.

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Medical students’ march reaches city
Kuldip Bhatia

Ludhiana, March 4
Peace March by the international group of about 80 medical students from India and other countries like Australia, Germany, Holland, Sweden, Ukraine, Nigeria, Mongolia, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Bangladesh and Nepal, on their way from the Wagah Border to Delhi, were accorded a grand reception by the Baba Jaswant Singh Trust at Nanaksar Complex, Samrala Chowk, when they arrived in the city late last evening.

Baba Jaswant Singh, chairman of the trust, extended a warm welcome to the peace marchers from all over the globe. Addressing the students, he said young doctors were a ray of hope for the future generation and their efforts for cause of peace and selfless service of humanity were genuinely appreciated.

He added that the Gurdwara Nanaksar complex had also been serving people of all caste, creed, religion and status.

During their visit to BJS Dental College and Hospital, vice-principal of the institution Dr Vivek Saggar apprised the peace marchers with the academic excellence and international standard of dental treatment facilities as also various other educational and health care projects initiated by the Baba Jaswant Singh Trust.

Dr L.S Chawla, Dr P.S Jassal, Dr Bharti Uppal were among many prominent doctors present on the occasion.

The peace march of medical students later visited Christian Medical College and Hospital and Dayanand Medical College and Hospital.

Before proceeding on their onward journey to Delhi, Ankita Chaudhary, national student representative of the Indian Doctors for Peace and Development (IDPD), who had sponsored the march, said the entire group was overwhelmed by the reception they received in the mega city.

Similar views were expressed by Camilla Mattson, international student spokesperson from Sweden, who was actually short of words to express the gratitude of peace marchers for the love and support extended by medical fraternity here.

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GNE College students bid adieu to seniors
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 4
Students of the department of science of Guru Nanak Girls College bid farewell to their seniors at a party hosted by them here today.

The function was presided over by principal Dr Charanjit Mahal and president of Guru Nanak Education Trust Gurbir Singh. To add colour to the occasion, the students presented an entertaining programme, consisting of dances and songs. Modelling by senior students was the highlight of the show. Sargun was crowned Miss Farewell while Ravijyotika and Harmeet were the first and second runners-up, respectively. Fun games were also organised and the students gave compliments to their teachers. The outgoing students presented gifts to the principal and their teachers. Nivedita, Aarti and Sarita were the judges. Dr Mahal crowned the winners and also advised the students to burn midnight oil for the approaching annual examinations and pass them with flying colours.

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‘Phulkari’ ends on creative note
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 4
The two-day Phulkari festival organised to commemorate the birth centenary of Dr M.S. Randhawa, former vice chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and a great connoisseur of art, concluded here today. The festival was organised by the Alumni Association of College of Home Science in collaboration with Centre for Communication and International Linkages, PAU. The function was organised at Wheat Auditorium of the PAU.

Phulkari article-making and on-the-spot embroidery competitions were the highlights of the day. The participants made various floral and geometrical patterns with colourful threads on cotton and voile. The visitors appreciated the efforts of the organisers for organising the event.

Dr Neelam Grewal, dean, College of Home Science, said, "Such festivals bind us to our culture and heritage. Besides, they provide a platform to students to show their hidden talent," she added. Prizes were given to the winners by the VC, Dr M.S. Kang.

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Punjabis abroad losing roots: Surgeon
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 4
Dr Swaraj Singh, a vascular and laser surgeon from Washington, feels that under the influence of globalisation, Indians, particularly Punjabis, were moving away from their rich tradition and culture.

He was interacting with the department of communications, PAU, here today.

Recipient of various awards, including Bharat Gaurav Award in 2007 and Glory of India Award in London in August 2007, Dr Singh said he was proud to be an Indian and particularly a Punjabi. No culture could survive if its language was not preserved. He said Indians thought America was an ideal country, but people there suffered too. He said 12 per cent of the total population in America ate just one meal a day. There were no insurance policy for over 45 million people. Approximately one-third of the American population was deprived of healthcare facilities. "They are suffering because they have not preserved their values, but we should not allow culture degenerate in our country", he said.

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From Schools
Workshop on environment awareness
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 4
A workshop on World Environment Awareness campaign was held in Govt High School, Salem Tabri, here today. The campaign was a part of the project work being undertaken by the ministry of forests and environment, New Delhi. Pardeep Kapur, district science supervisor, was the was the chief guest on this occasion. He spoke at length about the biodiversity and conservation.

Adolescent education: A seminar was organised on adolescent education at Government High School, Jawadi, here. District science superintendent Pardeep Kapur was the chief guest on this occasion. He stressed on the importance of adolescent education among children. He also told the students about the increasing threat of HIV and AIDS. The school principal Pardeep Sharma told the students about the importance of Red Rebion Club.

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Balbir Singh is principal of Shanti Tara College
Our Correspondent

Mandi Ahmedgarh, March 4
Balbir Singh, former principal of GTB National College, Dakha, joined as principal at Shanti Tara College, Akbarpur Chhanna, near here, today.

Prem Chand Gupta, president of the educational and medical trust, presided over the function organised to welcome Singh. Singh assured that he would focus on quality education. Balbir Singh is a renowned mathematician and some of his research papers have been published in an international journal.

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3 get 10-year jail for possessing drugs
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, March 4
Additional sessions judge Sanjeev Berry has convicted three persons, accused of possessing huge quantity of narcotics. They have been sentenced to undergo 10 years rigorous imprisonment each.

Those convicted include Tara Singh of Kaunke Kalan village Jagraon, Tejinder Singh of Saudekon village Jagraon and Gora of Chhuarchak Kalan village, Moga. The court also ordered the accused to pay fine of Rs 1 lakh each.

According to the prosecution, on June 10, 2005, a police party, headed by inspector Prithipal Singh, was present at Kothe Khajuran village. It noticed a tractor trolly coming from the side of Gagra village along the drain. On seeing the police party, the accused stopped the vehicle and tried to run away. But the police party succeded in nabbing them.

Then the police party called DSP Jagraon Randhir Singh and trolly was searched. Following the search, 20 bags containing poppy husk were seized. The accused were booked under Section 15 of the NDPS Act at Jagraon police station.

On the other hand, the accused pleaded innocence. They stated that they were picked up from the home and later implicated in the case. But finding cogent and convincing evidence against them, the court convicted them.

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Priyanka, Baltej Singh are best
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, March 4
Baltej Singh and Priyanka Rana were declared the best sportsman and sportswoman in the second annual athletics meet of Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU) held here today.

Vice-chancellor of the university Dr V.K. Taneja inaugurated the meet. Chairman of the organising committee Dr K.S. Sandhu welcomed the chief guest. The flag of the university was hoisted to the sound of trumpets.

Dr Dulcha Singh Brar, director, students’ welfare, Punjab Agriculture University (PAU), was the guest of honour. The occasion was graced by deans, directors, heads of departments, faculty members, staff and students of GADVASU and PAU.

Athletes in different troupes marched into the ground and saluted the distinguished guests. Girls students of College of Veterinary Science performed gidda during the inaugural ceremony while boys performed bhangra during the closing session.

Dr Taneja gave away the prizes. He said sports played a very important role in making students disciplined and healthy. NCC cadets of the college also performed various equestrian events.

The winners were: Men (5,000m): Harshdeep Joshi; 1,500m: Rajdeep Singh; 110m hurdles: Baltej Singh; 100m: Baltej Singh; 200m: Baltej Singh; 400m: Gursharan Singh; discus throw: Tusarpreet Sharma; triple jump: Gursharan Singh; hammer throw: Birjoginder Singh; broad jump: Baltej Singh; shot put: Birjoginder Singh; javelin throw: Gursharan Singh.

Women (110m hurdles): Priyanka Rana; 100m: Priyanka Rana; 400m: Priyanka Rana; discus throw: Jatinderbir Kaur; shot put: Sukhmani Bhullar; javelin throw: Ramandeep Kaur.

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SVM School honours cricketers
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, March 4
A function was organised today at Sanatan Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School, Civil Lines, Ludhiana, at which the students of the school, who played in the inter-school cricket tournaments and also represented the district in the Punjab State Championship and brought laurels to their school, were honoured.

The function started with the lighting of ceremonial lamp followed by recitation of bhajans. Office-bearers of the school management committee, including Rajesh Kashyap, Chaman Lal Sachdeva, Harish Kumar, felicitated the boys.

The players who were honoured include Deepak Bansal, Jatinder Chauhan and Akashdeep. Principal Sadhana Sharma congratulated the students on their outstanding achievement. She also congratulated their coach and director, sports, Mangat Ral Sharma.

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