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Youth hangs himself in custody
Ludhiana, April 17 A stunned city police administration swiftly suspended two Punjab Police cops. On its recommendation, the state Home Guards Department suspend a home guard for the custodial death. Twentyfive-year-old Anish Kumar, belonging to Kangra, and an employee with marketing unit of a Moti Nagar yarn trader was arrested last evening for stealing a motorcycle of Munish Kumar of Haibowal. All were posted for night duty in the police station. The accused was reported sleeping till 2:30 am but later, in the morning he was found hanging dead. He allegedly tied his shirt around his neck tying another end with an iron bar of a ventilator. He then jumped down a three-foot-high platform supporting a toilet seat in the cell. he cops, ASI Rajwinder Singh, HC Rajinderpal and homeguard Raj Balal, also faced a department inquiry for their negligence in duty, SP -Detective Gurpreet Singh told Ludhiana Tribune. District magistrate Sumer Singh Gurjar has ordered a magisterial probe into the incident. SDM-West Surinder Mohan Sharma will conduct the probe to ascertain if he was tortured in custody forcing him to commit suicide. The probe would also concentrate if it was actually a suicide or murder in custody. SMO Civil Hospital Harbinder Singh said a board of doctors would conduct the examination. It would be video-graphed also as per the directions of the National Human Rights Commission. SHO Focal Point Gurdev Singh said the body could be sent to the civil hospital in the evening only when his parents arrived. His father Shamsher Singh, runs a road side "Kultcha -Chola" cart outside Punjab State Electricity Board office, Ferozepore. SP Gurpreet Singh said the accused had no criminal history other than stealing a motorcycle. The bike was recovered from him. Meanwhile, A board of doctors conducted the post-mortem examination of the deceased this evening. Sources said asphyxia caused by hanging was the cause of death . The viscera of the deceased has been sent for chemical examination for further analysis. SDM Surinder Mohan Sharma , who is heading the magisterial probe said no external injury was found on the body.
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Confusion reigns in convent schools
Mohit Khanna Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, April 17 While thousands of parents and students had a harrowing time arranging transportation for the school, no end to the controversy seems in light. Father Davis, expressing his anger at the challaning of school vehicles, told Ludhiana Tribune, "The DTO office has problems as certain admissions have been denied by the school to their wards. I wonder why only these two schools have been targeted " Despite, repeated attempts the DTO could not be contacted. Hundreds of parents and students of two prominent convents of the city suffered transportation hassles today with school van operators refusing to ferry students in protest against the challaning of their vehicles by the district transport department. The Sacred Heart High School and Sacred Heart Convent School, Sarabha Nagar, witnessed a chaotic rush and confused parents and children, who were looking for each other after the schools was closed. Kindergarten students were the worst effected as they did no know where to go after spending a day in school. The School Van Operator Association, BRS Nagar, had pulled out more than 150 small vans and buses off the city roads, which ply the students of these schools. The decision was taken after a meeting of the School Van operator Association organised at BRS Nagar office last evening. Darshan Sabharwal, president of the association, said, "There is some misunderstanding between the school authorities and the district transport officer (DTO) but we are unnecessarily being made the soft target." There was traffic jam outside the school. Satpal Sharma, a city resident, said, "There was chaos outside the school as hundreds of vehicles driven by harassed parents came from all direction. It took me more than half an hour to find my grand children. If the school authorities and the traffic authorities are having some problem they shall resolve the matter, why the parents and students are suffering for it." DTO Chander Gaind has refuted the allegations levelled by Father Davis. He said he had initiated action against school bus/van drivers for violating traffic rules. “I have never recommended anyone for admission to these schools. The action is in no way aimed at pressuring the management of these schools.”
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150 school buses
go off roads
Ludhiana, April 17 The association’s refusal to ferry the schoolchildren forced parents to drop their wards at school themselves.Its president Darshan Sabharwal said, “There is some misunderstanding between the school authorities and the district transport officer (DTO) but we are unnecessarily being dragged into the issue.” He further added, “Recently buses ferrying students of these two schools were targeted by the DTO office while, vans and buses belonging to other schools were not challaned. I believe we are being targeted for no fault of ours.” Ginni Ahuja, a housewife said, “It is quite difficult for me to pick and drop my children as I have to look after the routine chores.” Director, Sacred Heart High School, BRS Nagar, Father Davis, said,”The DTO office has problems as certain admission have been denied by the school to their wards.”
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Robbers strike terror at Karamsar
Mandi Ahmedgarh, April 17 Exact amount looted from the victims was yet to be ascertained. The Payal police has launched hunt for the suspects who had fled on motorcycle. Arvind Kumar, an employee of Karamsar Filling Station near Rara Sahib, was shot at by two motorcycle-borne robbers when he (Arvind) resisted their attempt to loot the petrol pump at about 8 pm yesterday. The robbers, however, decamped with cash bag, under the cover of dark. Investigations revealed that the robbers struck at the filling station immediately after the power went off. As one out of two employees, deputed at the office, had gone to backyard to run a generator, the robbers overpowered Arvind and asked him to hand over cash to them. On his resistance one of the robbers shot at him and the bullet pierced his back. Profusely bleeding Arvind was shifted to a private hospital at Doraha town. A police team reached the spot and started hunt for the suspects who were told to have gone towards Jagera side. Investigations by the police revealed that the robbers had looted three other persons before striking at the filling station. In first incident, they took away Pulsar motorcycle and Rs 30,000 from Charanjit Singh of Ghangas village, a bank employee when he was returning home. The motorcycle was used to rob two villagers, one after the other near Bhikhi village. Meanwhile, the circle office has directed the SHO Payal to organise special nakas at sensitive points and step up patrolling in the area. Raul, Gurthali, Buani, Jhammatt, Landa and Butahri Bridges have been identified for the purpose. Incident is not the first of its kind in area. Poorly organised gangs of drug addicts turned robbers have been active in the area for the past many months. One person was shot at Landa Bridge in similar manner last months.
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Alert cops foil robbery; nab servant, aides
Ludhiana, April 17 A team of PCR cops, including Darshan Singh and Jaswinder Singh, on the routine night patrolling proved boon for the family. They not only nabbed the accused moving on the road at that time in suspicious manner but also saved the family from certain death by shifting them to a hospital. The police with the help of neighbours took the sedated family to DMC Hospital. Textile manufacturer Mohan Lal
Sadana, his wife Gulshan Sadana and two sons, Ravil Sadana and Chirag
Sadana, are stated to be out of danger. The arrested accused include a 14-year-old domestic help Raju, his uncle Dilip Bahadur and two other accomplices Dhan Bahadur and Ram Bahadur, who work as watchmen in different parts of the city. The police recovered 830 gram gold items, 370 gram silver articles, a laptop and
approximately Rs 50,000. SP-Detective Gurpreet Singh later told reporters that the main accused, Raju, has revealed that he had served drug-laced potato cutlets to the family
members. After consuming those, the family members fell unconscious and they looted at leisure. He then played the television on full volume, switched on the lights, air conditioners to avoid any suspicion. The SP said the servant had planned the loot with his friends. According to the police, the accused looted the house and left the home ransacked during the mid-night but could not run far as alert PCR officers arrested them and
called CIA officers for interrogation. The police then sprung into action and saved the victims with the help neighbour. Kamal Kumar, a relative of the family, said, "It was the quick action by the police, which saved the family. Had they not reached on time they would have not been alive." The police has warned the residents to learn from the incident by registering their servants with the police. The SP said the police has repeatedly advised the residents to get the registration of the servant but they did not pay any heed only to accused the police for lax vigil later on.
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Ferrari thrills car lovers
Ludhiana, April 17 The cars were as a part of the Magic India Discovery Tour of the car that started from Mumbai in February. Exclusive previews of the cars were held at Dada Motors and Garryson Motors. People carried their cameras to capture the image of the car. "The response is overwhelming and it is a dream moment for any car lover", said Rishi Dada, CEO of Dada Motors. The two Ferraris were part of a convoy of 10 vehicles which is travelling some 13,,000 km in India as part of the tour. The cars featured in this tour is the 612 Scaglietti, Ferrari's flagship GT model. Ferrari is known for its features like attaining an acceleration from 0 to 100 km per hour in mere 4
seconds. The maximum speed of the car is up to 320 km per hour. So far associated in most Indian minds as a racing car, Ferrari is now being projected as a perfect car for the Indian roads.
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Lecture on children’s nutritional needs
Ludhiana, April 17 IAP district president A.K.Handa said its members would regularly visit schools and impart life skill education to the students of higher classes. Moreover, the students would also be screened regularly for anemia and appropriately treated in the school itself. The first lecture on healthy living was delivered by Dr Rajinder Gulati, president of the Punjab state branch of IAP. Focusing on adolescent nutrition and health, he said nutritional needs were influenced by age, sex, health status and activity levels. “Adolescent is a period of rapid growth for which proper nutritious food is necessary. The nutritive deficiencies during this period not only affect the child’s health but may also affect the cognitive development.” He further added that the food habits of adolescents were cause of concern now days. “Advertisements influence food beliefs and eating patterns of the youth. Most fast foods are fattening, low in nutrition and contain substances that are harmful for the body. Frying of food items in the same oil over and over again, produce harmful chemicals that can lead to numerous diseases. WHO has confirmed that the coal tar dyes used to make food products attractive can cause cancer.” Dr Gulati maintained that one could get immune to numerous diseases by eating sufficient quantities of vegetables and fruits in daily diet. Fruits containing vitamin A, C and E accelerated the process of immunity. Similarly, leafy vegetables and fruits were anti-oxidants which prevented the untimely aging of the body and preserved its health and beauty. Anemia or iron deficiency which was a common problem in adolescents, could be overcome by eating sufficient amount of whole meal bread, grains, eggs, liver and dried fruits like dates.
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Food
& snacks on railway platforms Kuldip Bhatia
Ludhiana, April 17 Though the process of changeover has already been set in motion and one of the 17 stalls, proposed to be set up at railway station here, has already become functional, the major policy decision to replace freshly cooked food with packaged items appears to be tough to implement if the mood of the contractors, vendors and even some of the railway passengers is any indication. The proposal mooted by the IRCTC to make the railway platforms "cooking-free" zones a few months back, however, is fraught with many hurdles and expectedly so, the vendors selling freshly cooked food and snacks till now are up in arms against the decision. It was in the face of stiff opposition to the move from various quarters that the railways had to hold back the orders to ban cooking of food and snacks on railway platforms from September 10 last year. According to highly placed sources in the railway administration, the renewed attempt to disallow cooking on platforms provides for all food and snacks like chana-bhatura, kulche-chane, poori-sabzi, samosas and pakoras, to be sold by the vendors from hand carts or kiosks to be prepared outside, and thereafter brought to the railway platforms in hot cases for sale. The decision, however, appears impractical and illogical to the vendors on the railway station, who maintain that even the passengers, particularly in the Punjab region, will not easily take to consumption of food and snacks, kept in the hot cases. Talking to The Tribune at the railway platform, one of the vendors, selling freshly prepared "pooris, aloo-bhaji, chanas and pakoras", said even now some of the passengers complain that the food was cold or not fresh. "This is so when I prepare all this stuff freshly and in front of the people on my hand cart. Who will eat pooris and other food items kept in a hot case," he asked. Not only this, depending on weather conditions, food stored in hot cases, also tends to get spoilt if there are inadequate arrangements for heating at regular intervals, he added. In such cases, either the travelling public will get stale food and snacks or else, the vendors will have to suffer huge losses. Another vendor offering "kulchas and chanas" for sale on the platform expressed similar views. He said, "We keep the food items covered, maintain a reasonably good quality of the preparations and the passengers are satisfied. Then why should the railways come out with such a ridiculous proposal?" The IRCTC may have their own reasons for this major shift in the policy regarding preparation of food items on railway platforms, but indications are that the move will be difficult, if not impossible, to implement and might even be resented by a majority of the railway passengers as well.
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Majithia grants Rs 11 lakh to Jain society
Ludhiana, April 17 He said the Punjab Congress’ silence has cast serious doubts over the party's so called poor-friendly claims. He sought immediate clarification from the duo on the “wrong policies” of the UPA government which has resulted in rise in prices of essential commodities. The minister was interacting with the mediapersons after participating in the Jain Bhagwati Diksha Samaroh organised to mark Bhagwan Mahavir Jayanti by the S.S. Jain Sabha at Sunder Nagar here, today. Addressing the gathering the minister said Jain priests had preached tolerance, service to the suffering humanity and non-violence in society. He announced a grant of Rs 11 lakh for the completing the hall being constructed by the sabha. Addressing the
function, deputy speaker, Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Sat Pal Gosian, said the Jain community had always adopted the principles of non- violence and service to those suffering as preached by its great saints. He announced a grant of Rs 2 lakh for the propagation of Jain philosophy.
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Sukhjit is Sahit Akademi senior vice-president
Ludhiana, April 17 After elections took place on April 13, counting for this position was deferred and results were slated to be declared on April 27. Manmohan withdrew his candidature in the general house on the day of elections. However, his name figured in the ballot papers. Post that, Sukhjit from Zafar's panel and Bajaj from Gurbhajan Gill's panel were the two main candidates in the fray. It is learnt that Bajaj withdrew his name on an appeal by the newly elected president of the
akademi, Dalip Kaur Tiwana. Controversy surrounded Bajaj's candidature as several akademi members, including
Sukhjit, alleged that Bajaj was drawing salary from the akademi due to which he was not eligible to contest. However, the Gill panel contended that Bajaj only took an honorarium for his services to the
akademi. On the day of the elections, some members protested against his candidature and even demanded cancellation of polling for the post of the senior vice-president. However, only counting was deferred.
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MC forms squads to check water wastage
Ludhiana, April 17 Municipal commissioner Vikas Partap said surprise squads of senior officers would check the violators who waste drinking water for washing cars or spray it outside houses, shops and take immediate action. He said the decision to take action was taken today at a meeting of all zonal commissioners and officers. He said the residents would have to cooperate in saving water instead of wasting chlorinated water in such a manner. A press release issued by him to warn the public through the media said it was found that washing cars and spraying water not only wasted clean drinking water but also broke roads and provided a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes.
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NGO to observe World Veterinary Day
Ludhiana, April 17 Dr Harbans Singh Dhalla, general secretary of the club, in a press statement today said that World Veterinary Day was an event that celebrated the contribution of veterinary profession to society. Veterinarians were key professionals providing essential services to a large section of society in a range of areas. He added that the "29th World Veterinary Congress 2008" would be held at Vancouver, Canada, from July 27-31. The Vets club is an active NGO, that is participating in the Animal Birth Control Programme, launched by the Animal Welfare Board of India.
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Don’t shield corrupt
With the arrest of three officials of the municipal corporation’s building branch by the Vigilance Bureau, the entire staff went on strike thereby putting its working to standstill. There is no doubt that the building branch is corrupt, city is made out of a slum, once the mall of this city is now a commercial complex, the lungs of the city has been chocked due to inaction by the building branch and later on by the corporation. There might be prime facie case against these officials, only then FIR was registered and later on arrested. Most regretful part is that these employees are threatening the corporation. It is strange that the zonal commissioners took part in the rally which was addressed by the chief parliamentary secretary. The law of the land should be allowed to prevail and officials must prove their innocence in the court. Sher Singh, Ludhiana Readers are invited to mail letters (not more than 200 words) at "ludhiana@tribunemail.com" or post the same to The Tribune, 1, 2 Improvement Trust Building, Badaur House, Clock Tower, Ludhiana.
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Gang of juvenile robbers busted
Ludhiana, April 17 While two of the accused, Gurjot Singh (16) and Manjot Singh (18), are brothers and residents of Aman Park, their third accomplice, Mandeep, alias Babbu (20), lives in Sunet village. According to SI Jangjit Singh, SHO, Sadar, the teenagers took to crime as they were addicted to living a luxurious life. They used to spend the money for buying expensive clothes, mobile phones and eating at expensive restaurants. The police has recovered a VCD, UPS, two scanners, two computers, three cameras, three watches and 16 mobile phones from the accused. The police said the modus operandi of the accused was to look for a shop which lacked proper security. The accused cracked up during interrogation and confessed to committing thefts from the Friends Moblile Shop, Daad village,
and Puja Electronics from Pakhowal Road.
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Manual reaping of
crops on the rise
Mandi Ahmedgarh, April 17 Unsuitability of combine harvesters for reaping wheat crop, affected by the inclement weather, ban on harvesting during nights and a hike in the price of wheat chaff are said to be the main reasons for the development. However, the profits of manufacturers and local suppliers were affected by a steep rise in the prices of iron and excessive consumption of diesel due to an unprecedented interruption in power supply. Investigations reveal that production and sale of sickles had beaten the record of past 30 years. Though the exact figures about the production and sale of the agricultural implements were yet to be arrived at, lakhs of sickles and other agricultural implements have been dispatched to stockists and traders of Punjab and the neighbouring states. "The
demand by retailers of Punjab and neighbouring states was so high that
we have had to work day and night and even on holidays. Interruption in
power supply compounded our problems,” said Kuldip Singh, a small
manufacturer. Tinku Aggarwal, an office-bearer of the Agricultural Implements Manufacturers Association, stated that a majority of the manufacturers had failed to earn substantial profits due to a hike in the prices of steel and iron and consumption of diesel due to frequent power cuts. “As
the prices of steel and iron were hiked many times after we booked
orders at old rates, we suffered losses despite record production,”
said Aggarwal, adding that ferrous metals had experienced a price hike
to the tune of Rs 6 to 7 thousand per metric ton just prior to the
execution of orders booked six months ago. The town is known as the home of agricultural implements. Hundreds of families are engaged in the production of these implements or their parts. Though the manufacturers of combine harvesters and reapers have been doing good business during the past decades, units engaged in manufacturing sickles had suffered losses.
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Mechanised farm impresses Pak delegates
Ludhiana, April 17 He said conservation agriculture rather than the conservative one was need of the hour. “Agricultural institutes should work to resolve the practical problems faced by farmers on both sides of the border. Success of agriculture lies in improvement of management practises, mechanisation of operations and systematic management,” he said adding that crop residue management was another important factor in agriculture.
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8 acres of wheat crop destroyed in fire
Mandi Ahmedgarh/Samrala, April 17 At least eight acres of ripened wheat crop was reduced to ashes in the area during the past 24 hours. Wheat straw, standing in an equal area, was also destroyed. The alleged sparking due to high-tension power wires passing over the fields was reported to be cause behind the fire. Farmers have demanded compensation for the losses. The losses would have been huge had the residents of villages not responded to the alarms raised by passersby and neighbouring farmers. Investigations revealed that wheat crop belonging to Hardev Singh of Nagra (four acres), Jagroop Singh of Lasoi ( two acres), Kamikar Singh of Bains (one acre) and Iqbal Singh of Bains village (one acre) was reduced to ashes allegedly due to sparking in overhead power wires. Wheat straw standing in their fields and those belonging to Sudagra Singh and Malwinder Singh of Landa village, Raj Singh of Papraudi and a farmer of Ghullal village was also destroyed in the fire.
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550 attend wrestling trials
Ludhiana, April 17 A panel of selectors under the chairmanship of former international wrestler, Sukhchain Singh Cheema, is conducting the trials. Harpal Singh Kanwar and J S Bhandari, deputy director, Sports, Punjab, and officiating district sports officer, respectively, are conducting the trials. Those aspiring to be under-19 team will appear for the trials, tomorrow. Wrestlers will be picked up for the day scholar wings as well as the residential wings and will be provided facilities as per the guidelines.
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