NEIGHBOURHOOD

Cop shoots wife, son and himself
Tribune News Service

The police examines the body of the constable’s wife. — Tribune photo by Vicky Gharu

Kharar, April 8
A head constable attached with a deputy inspector-general (DIG Home Guard), Punjab, shot himself after killing his son and wife.

Bhupinder Singh, a resident of LIC Colony here, suspecting her fidelity, shot his wife Jaswinder Kaur, and 18-year-old son Robin with his gun at 8.45 am.

Injured Robin called his neighbour Paramjit Kaur on phone and told her his father had shot him and his mother. Paramjit raised the alarm in the neighbourhood and the police was informed.

By the time people reached Bhupinder's home, he had shot himself too and his body was found in the bedroom.

Robin was found panting in the lobby and Jaswinder lay dead next to him. Robin was shot in the chest while Jaswinder in the head. Robin was taken to local civil hospital from where he was referred to the PGI, Chandigarh. He succumbed to his injuries on the way.

Bhupinder had shot himself in the temple and his ear was found 10 feet away from his body and the gun hanging from his shoulder. Three unused cartridges were found near his body, six were found in his pockets and one loaded in the gun.

Steel tongs were found beside Jaswinder's body. The scene suggested verbal duel before Bhupinder shot his family.

Jaswinder may have been working in the kitchen before the quarrel with Bhupinder. Robin might have tried to intervene and was gunned down.

Bhupinder was a native of Dubali village and had moved to LIC Colony seven years ago. Robin was a student of Government Polytechnic Institute in Sector 26, Chandigarh.

DIG (Home Guard) Darshan Singh Mehmi visited the spot. A case was registered against Bhupinder Singh for killing his family.

The bodies were handed over to the relatives after a post-mortem examination in the evening.

Kharar, April 8
Four people were arrested for kidnapping, roughing up and illegally confining 22-year-old Guriqbal Singh, yesterday.

All the accused are employees of Rana Factory in Phase VIII, Industrial Area, Mohali. The accused Gurpreet Singh (25) is a resident of Mohali, Gurmeet Singh (40) is a resident of village Rauli Kalan, Balbir Singh (30) is a resident of village Kalhar in Dera Bassi and Basant Kumar (19), lives on the factory premises.

They have been sent in two-day police remand. All the four, along with 10 more people, had kidnapped Guriqbal, a resident of Ranjit Nagar in Kharar on Saturday night.

Prof Brigadier J S Nagra, principal, Rayat and Bahra Institute of Management, thanked participants for sharing their views on the retail sector.

Ropar, April 8
The Ropar Bar Association members have decided to meet chief minister Prakash Singh Badal over the issue of parking vehicles in the judicial complex.

Ropar Bar Association president Sarabjit Singh today said, “The judicial complex falls under the jurisdiction of additional session judge. The DC has used a dictator's attitude with us.”

However, before meeting Badal, a meeting of the DC and additional session judge is scheduled for tomorrow. Advocates will wait for the decision taken during the meeting.

Earlier, on April 1 a new parking lot in the district administrative complex, adjacent to the SSP’s office, was inaugurated.

In order to manage the problem of an over- crowded administrative complex, the district administration had banned entries of all vehicles.

Cops had been deputed at each gate for this purpose and they also stopped lawyers also from entering the complex.

Lawyers resented this move and said when the judicial complex falls under the jurisdiction of additional session judge Rekha Mittal, she should have the prerogative to allow entry.

It is deputy commissioner B. Purushartha who is doing it. Notably, lawyers have been agitating against this move for the last one week.

Fatehgarh Sahib, April 8
After The Tribune highlighted the plight of a lady doctor, who has been facing harassment at the hands of her superiors for quite some time, the deputy commissioner today marked an inquiry into the allegations levelled by the doctor.

DC Ashok Kumar Singla has asked the additional deputy commissioner M.R. Aggarwal to inquire into the matter and submit a report within a week.

Singla said it was unfortunate that a highly educated doctor had to suffer like this. The DC, who summoned senior medical officer Dr K.S. Kang and sought an explanation from him, said it was a matter of concern and the administration would do everything possible to ensure that such an instance was not repeated in the future.

He said once the ADC submits his report, appropriate action would be initiated against the guilty.

Dr Neelu Arora, who is a qualified anaesthetist and is holding a degree of Masters in Hospital Administration, had not been paid salary for the last six months despite being a regular doctor with the state government.

She had stated that the health department had been subjecting her to mental agony by seeking explanations from her on one ground or the other.

Dr Arora’s father professor Beant Singh said the doctor had not been keeping well for quite some time and had even undergone an abortion due to mental tension.

The health department was maintaining that Dr Arora was not regular on her job and thus her salary had been withheld.

However, Professor Beant Singh said most of the leave applications sent by his daughter had been dumped by her superiors and under such circumstances she started sending her leave applications directly to the deputy commissioner's office.

Sources in the health department, on condition of anonymity, said senior functionaries of the department were asking their juniors to pay them a monthly amount of Rs 1,000 for releasing their salaries.

These sources said Dr Arora had been made a victim as she refused to pay anything to her superiors.

Meanwhile, another lady doctor, Dr Sweety, posted at Khamano civil hospital also came up with similar allegations against her superiors.

After receiving a complaint from the doctor, the DC has asked ADC M.R. Aggarwal to look into the matter along with the allegations made by Dr Arora.

Today, Ratra handed over a cheque of Rs 6,000 to Titu at the Board’s head office in Patiala, where Titu’s father Bhagtu Singh was also present.

Bassi Pathana, April 8
Hectic activity was witnessed in the municipal council office here today, as a team of Mohali police led by DSP S.S. Bains came to conduct an open enquiry in the case registered against leading industrialists of the town and PSEB officials.

A suicide note had been recovered from the pocket of Kalicharan, a social worker who allegedly committed suicide at Mohali.

The Hindu organisation had taken up the case and got an FIR registered against
the industrialists.

Hundreds of people from every walk of life, cutting across party affiliations, representatives of more than 25 social, religious, political organisations gathered at the council office in support of the industrialists.

The citizens, led by Amardeep Singh Dharni, in their statements termed the industrialists as innocent.

On the other hand, Hindu organisation, that is pursuing the case have split
into two groups.

Only three members, Manoj Kumar Banda, Arun Kumar and Pardeep Rupal came forward to record their statements in favour of the FIR, whereas the other members led by Rajiv Malhotra, president of the organization, in their statements favoured the industrialists.

A delegation of PSEB officials, led by XEN Gurtej Singh Chahal also met the DSP and recorded their statements.

DSP S.S. Bains said after completing the enquiry he would submit a report to the SSP Mohali.

Chandigarh, April 8
St Stephen's School, Sector 45, Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 37, Ajit Karam Singh International Public School, Sector 41, and St Xavier's School, Mohali, being strong contenders qualified for the pre-quarterfinals of the Tata Tea Arsenal Star Soccer Tournament for Schools (10 to 15 years).

The tournament is underway at the Sector 17 Football Stadium. Other schools that made knockout grade were St Annes Convent School-32, St Soldier's International School-28, Shishu Niketan Model Senior Secondary School, 22-D, Moti Ram Arya Senior Secondary School, Sector 27, Vivek High School-38, New Public School-18, Saupin's School-32, The Banyan Tree School-48, Ryan International School-48, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya-25 and Tribune Model School-29.

Today league matches were played. New Public School-18 recorded the biggest victory as they routed Government Senior Secondary School, Khuda Lahora by 11-0. The Banyan Tree School, Sector 48, handed a 7-0 drubbing to St Anne's Convent by 7-0.

With a view of maintaining interest in the proceedings, goalkeepers' skills were tested. The winning pair (goalkeeper and striker) will be awarded the Tata Tea Team Spirit Award. Another highlight of the day was a contest among referees. They were put to test to score goals either with a direct kick or after a bounce.

The results:

The Banyan Tree, Sector 48, b SD Senior Secondary School, Sector 24, 2-0; Government Moti Ram Arya Senior Secondary Model School, Sector 27-A, b Government Model SSS-20-D 2-0; New Public School, Sector 18, b BMD Public School 2-0; Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 37, b Stepping Stones 2-0; Vivek High School b St Peter's School, Sector 37, 1-0; St Stephen's School-45 drew with St Soldier's International School, Sector 28, 2-all; Shishu Niketan Model SSS-22-D drew with Saupin's School-32, 1-all; St Xavier's School b St Joseph's School 1-0; St Anne's Convent School b SD SSSS-24C 4-0; Jawaharw Navodaya Vidyalaya b MMSSS-20-D 1-0; BMD Public School drew with GSSSS Khuda Lahora 1-1; GMSSS-37B b Stepping Stones 2-0; Sri Huru Harkrishan School drew with St Peter's School-37 goalless; Ryan International School b AKSIP School 1-0; St Soldier's-28 b GMSSS-22A 1-0; Shishu Niketan Model SSS-22D b St Kabir Public School-26 2-0; DAV SSSS-8 drew with St Joseph's-44 goalless; The Banyan Tree School b St Anne's 7-0; Moti Ram ASSM School drew with JNV goalless; Saupin's School dew with St Kabir goalless; New Public School b GSSS Khuda Lahora 11-0, GMSSS-37B drew with Tribune Model School-29 D goalless; AKSIPS beat Mount Carmel-47 1-0; Vivek High School b Sri Guru Harkishan SSSPS-40C 4-0; St Stephen's School b GMSSS-22A 4-0 and St Xavier's, Mohali b DAVSSSS-8 1-0.

Chandigarh, April 8
The budding players of the Chandigarh Hockey Academy were in for a special treat as they got a valuable chance to learn from Ric Charles Worth, former Australian player, at sports Complex, Sector 42.

Ric, who is the technical adviser to Indian Hockey Federation and has been supervising the preparation of girls’ team for Olympics qualifier, spent more than two hours with the budding players (boys and girls) at the complex today.

After assessing the game of the players for around an hour, Ric gave tips to them. “If you want to be successful in life, you have to shed sluggishness and casual approach, and also imbibe self-discipline and hard work,” said the former Australian player to the youngsters.

Lauding the Chandigarh Sports Department for running the academy efficiently, Ric was of the view that talent wise there is no dearth.

The academy has selected talented players but they need to be given the right direction with proper coaching and training, conforming to the international standard.

Chandigarh, April 8
Wild card Digvijay Naruka of Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association shocked seventh seed Aniruddh Darp in straight sets 6-4, 6-3, on the second day of the All-India Tennis Association Super Series being played at the Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association Stadium, here today.

The match was even till 4-4 then Digvijay came up with some good first serves backed up by some quick forehand winners to go up 5-4. Playing a consistent game and waiting for his turn to hit the winner, he wrapped up the first set and went on to clinch the second with 5-3 lead.

Gurinder Singh from the CLTA continued his winning streak entering the quarterfinals of the boys’ under-16 singles and defeated qualifier Bhavneet Singh of Delhi 6-4, 6-2. Waqar Malak of Pakistan, currently training at the CLTA, shocked third seed Navneet Kumar, also of the CLTA, in three sets 6-2, 3-6, 6-2.

However, another player from Pakistan, bowed out as Vishvesh defeated Zohair Raza 6-4, 6-2. Ajay Yadav of the CLTA shocked fourth seed Suraj Konwar of Gujarat in straight sets 6-4, 6-3 in the boys’ under-16 second round encounter.

Top seed Jaanesh Kaur entered the quarter final of the girls’ singles. But she was stretched to three sets by Jeni Patel of Gujarat. Jaanesh committing too many unforced errors on crucial points gave Jeni many advantages. Jeni played a good attacking game but eventually succumbed 6-7 (2), 6-3, 6-2 to Jaanesh.

Chandigarh, April 8
Chandigarh golf icon Chiranjeev Milkha Singh could not have asked for more. The 2006 Asian Tour number, one and the first Indian to feature in the prestigious US Masters at the Augusta National Golf Club (USA) in 2007, has got an invitation to play on the Augusta greens again from April 10 to 13 this year.

Jeev said, "It was a pleasant surprise. I never thought I would be invited back. I couldn’t have asked for a better invite in my life, I'll always cherish this.”

Jeev's debut in 2007 was the result of his magical performance in the 2006 season when he won four times around the globe and was placed 37th in the official world golf ranking.

And on his debut in 2007 Jeev led the Masters briefly during the first round after making the turn at three under. But then he finished the day tied 10. At the midway stage he was joint 15th and with rounds of 78 and 79 later he wrapped up his campaign at tied 37th spot. Son of Flying Sikh Milkha Singh, Jeev is all set to alter his game plan for this year's Masters' assault.

After an average performance in 2007, Jeev came very near to clinching two titles on the Asian Tour this year and is at the moment placed second on the Asian Tour order of merit. He is hopeful of showing his class.

Jeev has already played on the Augusta greens countless of times in his mind, which is “one of my pre-round routines” “When I'm Tour, I would spend the time on the way to the club to play the course in my mind, to prepare myself mentally for it. I'll imagine what club to use on the tee shot and then play the second shot onto the green,” he explained.

“I’ll play the golf course repeatedly in my mind, over and over again. When I get to Augusta National, then I’ll put it into practice. If it works for me, I’ll give it a go.” He still gets goose bumps whenever he recalls his maiden visit to the Masters.

“The atmosphere, the golf course and the crowds are fantastic. I can never forget that. It's such a good atmosphere.

The way the players are treated there, it's different. As a kid, I always dreamt of playing in the Masters and it's my favourite Major championship. It's fantastic driving up Magnolia Lane. It's a great feeling,” he said.

For a person who pays every attention to routine and process, Jeev has made it a point to stay in the same Indian-owned hotel in Augusta. “I’ll be at the same place, and will order some Indian food once in a while,” he laughs.

Chandigarh, April 8
An outsider was arrested from the DAV College premises here today on the charges of selling drugs.

Rishab of Shimla was arrested by the police when he, along with his friend, a second year student, was using a rough language inside the college. The students reported the matter to the police.

The police took the accused to BTC hostel where Rishab was beaten up. He informed the police that he is staying here with his brother who is a college student. The college staff was informed about the incident, but the principal was not present in the college.

A student of the college, Kundra, who was said to have started taking drugs under the influence of Rishab was seen abusing her mother inside the college. While talking to the Tribune, Kundra’s mother said, “ I am here to look after my son. He started doing something wrong.

The police took three youth, Rishab, Rahul, both of Shimla, and Abhinav, who was said to be a college student. The three were taken to the police station, Sector 3.

The police enquired into the matter and after the investigation did not found any drugs from their possession.

The incident seems to be strange as the cop was seen thrashing the youth who was said to be a drug peddler and was later released. Even, the college security did no recognise an outsider staying in the college for two days. 

Chandigarh, April 8
An unidentified man in his mid-fifties was killed in a road accident near the Sector 56 petrol pump here this morning.

According to the information, the police received a call regarding an unidentified man who was hit by the driver of a Majda school van (CH-03-D-3115).

The driver sped away from the spot. The injured was taken to the PGI, where the doctors declared him dead.

The police has registered a case under Sections 279, 337 and 304 A of the IPC against the driver of the van on the complaint of Swaran Singh, a resident of Maloya colony.

Chandigarh, April 8
On the complaint of A.S. Sodhi, director, Judicial Academy, Sector 26, a case under Section 406, 409 and 420, IPC, has been registered at the Police Station 26 against N.S. Saini of Judicial Academy.

Zirakpur, April 8
A team of district health authorities today raided a chemist shop in Chatt village here and seized drugs worth Rs 45,000.

According to Mohali drug inspector Pradeep Mattu his team seized around 9,000 capsules, 32,000 tablets, 100 syrups and around 4,300 injections for which the shopkeeper did not have any vouchers.

The shop, ‘Saini Medical Store’, on the link road to Chatt village was raided by the team this morning following a tip-off that the shopkeeper was selling scheduled drugs without prescriptions.

“There were many drugs without vouchers. The injections which were seized were stored at higher temperatures than required,” said Mattu. Around 18 different drugs were found at the store.

Health authorities would now move the court for cancellation of the pharmacy license of the shopkeeper. The team was led by the SAS Nagar Civil Surgeon P.K. Mittal.

Chandigarh, April 8
Romanian civilisation would now enthuse school children through brush. International Roman Day was commemorated at the Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 47, here today.

As part of the programme, the exhibition of paintings by Roman children between the age groups of 7 to 13 was displayed in the lobby of the school.

The students from various schools of the city would be invited to observe the artistic point of view of the foreign children.

The DPI (S) S.K. Setia said, “This is a sort of cultural exchange programme through art. We have also sent some of the work done by our school children in an exhibition to be held at Romania. These activities would surely motivate our young generation to explore their hidden artistic talent by participating in such programmes.”

This programme has been conceptualised by the India Inter-Continental Cultural Association, Chandigarh. “This is our endeavor to bring together people through cross cultural encounter with a pick of literature, art and culture of various regions and countries.”

This exhibition has displayed the creations of children from Bulgaria, Ukraine, Croatia, Czechoslovakia and Australia. Vishal Bhatnagar, city-based artist and sculptor, has been given the task of arranging the work done by Roman children. “I am astonished to see the freedom and boldness these children have portrayed in their creations. It depicts their culture and environ.”

According to experts, Romans are the oldest Indian migrants who left India about 1000 years ago and their language Romani still contains many words of Sanskrit, Rajasthani and Punjabi.

In the second phase of the program, a cultural programme was presented on the school campus in which a singer from Hungary Guru Jina, who is known as the ‘Gypsy Princess’ of Europe, was the main attraction.

She sang Hungarian songs along with couplet of some Hindustani Songs, which includes Bhajans of Meera, Hindi song "Agar tum mil jao." Saroj Mittal, assistant director, vocational education was also present on the occasion.

Chandigarh, April 8
I have come to India in search of a Ustad (Guru), who would guide me to learn Santoor to add grace to my singing.

Guru Jina, a Roman Gypsy artiste, also known as Gypsy Princess, who came to India to perform at the annual Roman Day, stated this here today.

Expressing her curiosity about the rich cultural heritage of India, she said she found that Indians have spiritual feelings for their art and culture. She believed that the people who have true dedication and love for their art could be the best guru.

Jina has approached a number of renowned art lovers in India to learn Santoor but she is yet to be lucky enough to get a Guru who could fulfill her desire.

She remarked that every vibration of the instrument and words of the song, which are sung by an artiste, while performing on a stage, has a positive and negative vibration, which gives a clear message to the inner soul of the spectator.

She stated that in all her performances, she tried to give a message of peace, love and affection to the audience.

While referring to her visit to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's place at Lahore she said it was a lifetime experience to learn classical music there.

She said another reason of her visit to India is to meet Dalai Lama to share her view with him about the spread of peace and harmony in the world.

She said she wants to use her art to spread the message of love and peace in the world, as it does not have any barriers of language.

Jina plans to meet Bollywood directors in Mumbai to explore her chance of getting role in Indian art movies.

Chandigarh, April 8
Over the years the distinction between the art or parallel cinema and the commercial cinema has considerably narrowed down paving way for the emergence of a new mainstream cinema.

Special emphasis is being laid on the fresh experimentation on the thematic content of films, scripts, actors and production techniques.

Even roles are written aimed at bringing the best out of the actors, finalised for the cast, opined film actress and former Miss India Gul Panag.

Any art form needs to be revamped and enriched with influences from compatible resources to meet the modern thoughts of the milieu, she added.

In city for launch of the iconic skin care beauty brand ‘OLAY - Total Effects’ a product of P&G India, at hotel Mountview, here today, she shared her views with the Tribune.

Recalling her triumphant crowning as Miss India 1999, she has been made to believe that the coveted title is loosing its grandeur and sheen with a spurt of beauty, singing or talent hunt competitions.

The reality shows though provide a platform for youngsters to showcase their talent but the commercial considerations or TRP rating remain of paramount interest.

Reader, debater of national eminence, a keen shooter the sports loving Gul rued the treatment being given for the promotion of Hockey our pride and national game.

Gul claims that at least six good films will hit the circuit during this year alone. At least two films with Gul in the main female lead, including Summer-2007 with débutante Sikander Kher, and Hello are ready for release in June next. Many projects are in the offing.

Being a proud Punjabi kudi she desired to play a memorable potent role in a Punjabi film. Besides Gul expressed desire to work with the top film directors to the like of Shyam Benegal, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, but she was candid enough to admit that none has approached so far.

She is raring to go for an excellence in her film career and grab stardom to commensurate her persona and talent.

The Chandigarh bred Gul Panag, however, humbly attributes her achievements to the love and guidance of her caring parents and skeet shooter brother Sherbir Panag.