Ludhiana, September 29
A 35-year-old woman was murdered in broad daylight here today at her residence in Hathi Complex near Punjab Agricultural University. The deceased has been identified as Manju Bala.

According to information, Manju was staying with PAU professor Surinder Thakur and had a 5-year-old son.

Police officials revealed that two men came to Hathi Complex around 10.15 this morning and enquired about the residence of Thakur from the complex gatekeeper.

After enquiries, they moved towards the residence. Later, in the afternoon, it was revealed that the woman had been murdered. The two strangers are suspected to be the accused.

SSP Dr Sukhchain Gill, who reached the spot, said primary investigations revealed that Surinder Thakur and Manju were living together. "Surinder was married to a Himachal-based woman Sushma. Since she was unable to give birth to a child, the couple got separated around eight to ten years back and a case regarding their separation is already going on in a court."

At the time of incident, she was alone at home as her son had gone to a school and Surinder to the university.

"The accused had attacked the woman with sharp-edged weapons. While the accused were attacking her, she managed to catch hold of her mobile and dial Surinder's number. When he reached home, he found Manju in blood and she was rushed to DMC where she had her last breath," said the police sources.

The police said, "A case under Section 302 has been registered against the two men. The woman has not been killed with an aim to looting the house as things are very well in their place. At present, the two men are under scanner and investigations are still on to find them."

Ludhiana, September 29
Fate played a cruel joke on Harshita’s parents as they could not even give birthday present to their daughter who had turned 12 on September 13. Harshita, a resident of BRS Nagar and studying in Chaman Vatika School, Ambala, fell victim to swine flu at Chaitanya Hospital, Chandigarh, yesterday.

The parents were on their way to Ambala from Meerut to bring home their daughters — Harshita and Garvita — for Ram Navami pooja when they got a call from the school to reach Chaitanya Hospital, where their elder daughter had been admitted with swine flu. After battling for life for three days, she died yesterday morning.

After cremating their daughter here yesterday evening, the family took her ashes to Hardwar for immersion in the Ganga today.

Parminder Sharma, Harshita’s father who is a manager with Chadha Group, while talking to The Tribune said: “It is not just fate but negligence on part of the school authorities, as they didn’t inform us about Harshita’s sickness before Friday evening.”

He said he would lodge a complaint with the union health minister, Haryana chief minister, state health minister, department of health and family welfare and Ambala deputy commissioner to probe negligence and take appropriate action.

Accusing the hostel warden of insensitivity, he said Harshita was not allowed to speak to them during the week as boarders were only allowed to speak to their parents on a “fixed” day.

“My younger daughter told me that Harshita was desperate to speak to me and her mother on the phone but was unable to do so due to her uncontrollable vomiting. It is shocking that the school/hostel authorities failed to inform us about the deteriorating health of our daughter. We were only informed once she was taken to the hospital in Sector 44, Chandigarh, in a critical state.”

Dr Rajesh Sharma, Harshita’s uncle, alleged that the school authorities had concealed facts about Harshita’s illness from doctors at Chaitanya Hospital.

“The doctors at the hospital told us that the school team didn’t give details of her illness and it was only after observing her symptoms that the staff attending to her were put on alert on Saturday. But it was already too late as the girl suffered cardiac arrest followed by failure of vital organs, including respiratory tract, heart, kidney and brain.”

Speaking in his capacity as a doctor, Dr Sharma said it took 12 days of severe infection to put her on ventilator, which smacks of negligence on part of the school authorities.

Ludhiana, September 29
The stolen car that was allegedly bought by Congress leader Amarjeet Singh Tikka has finally landed in the possession of the CIA staff. While the police remained noncommittal on the date of receipt of the car, Tikka claimed he had handed over the car to the CIA staff 10 days ago. He, however, alleged that the Balogi police had been harassing him.

Tikka said he had approached the Ludhiana police after learning that the car was stolen by a couple, who later sold it to him.

“I returned the stolen car to the CIA staff 10 days ago. In fact, I have helped the police uncover the car theft racket. And I have suffered a loss of Rs 1 lakh.”

The leader claimed that he was the owner of the building of the car bazaar but had nothing to do with the stolen car.

DSP (D) Kamalpreet Singh feigned ignorance over the date of of handing over of the car to the CIA staff by the Congress leader.

He said: “Tikka had told us that on September 22, Raja Motors had bought the car from Manpreet Singh, who was accompanied by a woman. The two told Tikka and his party that they were leaving India and wanted to sell their car. Before striking the deal, verification was also conducted through a Ludhiana resident, Ranvir Singh, who told Tikka’s Raja Motors that the party was genuine and he could go ahead with the deal.”

The deal was struck at Rs 3.15 lakh and Rs 1 lakh was given by Tikka as token money to the couple, added the DSP.

He added that investigations were on and the police had called Ranvir for questioning today.

While the Balogi police post in charge Anil Kumar had yesterday claimed that the car was in possession of Tikka and they had visited him to take it from him, the DSP (D) claimed otherwise today.

According to sources, an inquiry into the case was marked by DIG Dr Sharad S Chauhan to DSP (D) Kamalpreet Singh a few days ago.

When the DIG was asked about it, Dr Chauhan said: “Just four days ago Tikka had come to me and told me that he had been duped by some people by selling him a stolen car. I took his complaint and forwarded it to DSP (D) Kamalpreet Singh, asking him to inquire into the matter.”

Ludhiana, September 29
City residents would finally have bananas and mangoes ripened with safe chemicals instead of health hazard calcium carbide, which is a banned compound. This would be possible as the city is all set to have a modern pack house and internationally approved ripening chambers.

The newly built modern pack house with five cold rooms worth Rs 4 crore has come up in the new sabzi mandi here and would be inaugurated by Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal on October 3.

With the provision of cold rooms, mangoes and banans would be ripened with ethylene, an accepted compound.

It was a long-pending demand of city residents, who often used to report to doctors with several diseases like mouth ulcers after consuming bananas and mangoes ripened with calcium carbide.

Ajmer Singh Lakhowal, chairman, Mandi Board, while addressing a meeting to prepare for the function today, said the fruit and vegetable market in Salem Tabri receives a huge quantity of different fruits and vegetables from Punjab as well as neighboring states. Out of various crops, potato, onion, mango, banana and papaya are the dominant crops which arrive in Ludhiana market almost throughout the year.

However, due to the non-availability of adequate post-harvest infrastructure at market committee Ludhiana and perishable nature of these crops, a significant part goes waste.

In order to reduce the losses and maintain the marketable quality, the Punjab Mandi Board has invested approximately Rs 4 crore to establish a modern pack house.

The facilities in this pack house include five cold rooms each with a capacity 50 mt and 6 ripening rooms each with a capacity 10 mt, air-conditioned space for reconditioning and repacking, two grading or sorting lines.

He said this facility would help in reducing the post-harvest losses of fruits and vegetables and boosting the income of farmers.

Later, Lakhowal visited Grain Market Salem Tabri for inspection for the ongoing paddy procurement. He said arrangements for paddy procurement had been completed in all mandis of the state and procurement in all mandis of the state was going smoothly.

Ludhiana, September 29
Streets in the city during Diwali are likely to go black, as streetlight contractors of the Municipal Corporation have refused to further renew or extend their contract with the civic body.

According to information, the contractors had already sent a letter to the civic body expressing that they were not interested to take the streetlight contract on the present terms and conditions.

At present these contractors are handling around 80,000 streetlight points based on the contracts signed between them and the civic body in 2006. The contractors rued that since the civic body was not making their payments timely so they were not interested to continue with the work anymore. Besides, the prices of electrical appliances, including wires, too have gone up but their payments have remained the same.

“The Ludhiana Municipal Corporation had invited tenders in 2006 and the two-year contract was valid till November, 2008. After the completion of stipulated time, a further extension of two-months has been going on till date. The last extension was granted from August 1 to September 30, which would be completing on Wednesday,” said an official pleasing anonymity.

Interestingly, the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation has been incurring around Rs 3 crore annually as payments to these contractors. Moreover, such a situation had arisen in 2002 too, when the civic body had taken care of the streetlights for around two years on its own.

When streetlight XEN SP Singh was asked about it, he said, “The government has directed us to switch over to energy saving lights and for it an agenda was brought in the Municipal House. As far as the contract is concerned, the civic body can afford to manage the resources on their own. In fact such a proposal has already been floated where the MC would itself take care of the streetlights and monopoly of private contractors could end.”

Jagraon, September 29
The railway overbridge that has been under construction since 2007 is still incomplete and from the pace of its construction, it is clear that it cannot be completed in one more year.

The construction of the overbridge was started in Capt. Amarander Singh regime. The construction of the overbridge is causing inconvenience to the commuters and residents of the areas around it, but on the other hand it is proving a death trap for workers also.

An assistant engineer, Joginder Singh, of Threeke village fell from the bridge and died this morning. Earlier, one more employee fell from it and sustained severe injuries.

The PWD and the private contractor completed their work by the end of 2007 and in January, 2008, a section of the overbridge to be completed by the Railway department was given to GK Contractors. At that time, contractor VPS Walia had stated that their firm had got the contract to raise the remaining part of the bridge on 11 pillars at a cost of Rs 2.28 crore and the same would be completed within six months, although he had the contract period of nine months.

But more than one and a half year had elapsed but not more than 50 per cent of the job has been completed by the contractor.

The residents had approached the Railway Ministry, local MP, MLAs and other dignitaries but to no effect. The residents had resorted to protests and agitations also but again there was no end to their woos. Interestingly, many other railway overbridges that started at a much later time than that of Jagraon overbridge were made operational long ago.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, September 29
Unscheduled power cuts imposed for hours daily have caused resentment among residents and industrialists. Industry representatives alleged that in addition to the scheduled cuts, the industry was also suffering due to the unscheduled power cuts.

Levelling the term “power cut” as a misnomer, the residents satired that authorities should declare “supply hours” instead.

The residents of the town and the surrounding villages are facing power cuts on regular basis. “We fail to understand the necessity of the power cut for half-an-hour at 6 am daily. They could have adjusted the schedule so as to decrease woes of the residents,” argued a resident.

Municipal council president Usha Sood said even the services provided by the civic body were affected, as water supply and disposal of waste water were also dependent upon the power supply.

She rued that the board authorities had not responded to their appeal to reschedule the power supply.

Sanjiv Singla, an industrialist, said, “The unscheduled power cuts have not only affected production and margins but also the credibility of the industrialists, who are not able to meet their orders. Poor power situation has caused heavy loses to the industry.”

He said the regular power supply should be ensured otherwise many industrial units would be compelled to close down their units.

Jagjit Singh Jaggie, a social worker, and Tarsem Garg, president CB Welfare Association, said: “Regular power supply seems to be an unachievable task for the PSEB now. The unscheduled cuts not only affect the facilities available to the residents but also their health and routine.”

Raikot, September 29
Lions Club, Raikot 321 F, organised its installation ceremony at Lions Bhawan yesterday night for electing new president and board of directors for 2009-10. Lion Mukesh Gupta was installed as its president and Lion Dr Durgesh as secretary and Lion Pawan Verma as its treasurer.

Former district governor Lion Dinesh Kumar Sood from Samana installed the new team and zone chairman Lion Avtar Singh from Daudhar inducted new members.

Prominent among those present on the occasion was regional chairman Lion Vijay Singla from Moga. The ceremony was presided over by vice-district governor Lion Advocate Kanwaljit Singh Sethi of Ludhiana.

Two teachers were also honoured on the occasion. These teachers are Dr Swaranjit Singh Deol, principal, GHG Khalsa College, Sudhar, and Mahesh Chander Sharma, principal, Mahaveer Jain High School, Raikot.

Vice-district governor Lion Kanwaljit Singh Sethi of Ludhiana was the chief guest. He added that the club would check the rising trend of drug menace among youth.

Vice-district governor Lion Kanwaljit Singh Sethi honoured Outgoing-president Lion Dr Surinder Singh with a memento.

Ludhiana, September 29
Cardiovascular disease will become a major public health and clinical problem in South Asia in the next decade. Experts, however, say that early diagnosis can prevent the disease.

Estimates from the Global Burden of Disease Study indicate that by 2020, India will have more individuals with atherothrombotic cardiovascular disease than any other region, making cardiovascular disease (CVD) the leading cause of death and disability.

According to Dr GS Wander, director, Hero DMC Heart Institute, even though year after year, the number of people with CVD is rising throughout India, precise and reliable data on fatal and non-fatal CVD, however, is hard to come by. Little is also known about the use of preventive therapies. Despite guidelines recommending aggressive screening for risk factors like high blood pressure and cholesterol, too many patients with heart disease are diagnosed only after they develop symptoms.

Says Dr Wander, "Heart failure is closely associated with major risk factors for coronary heart disease such as smoking, high cholesterol levels, hypertension, diabetes and obesity. A person can control or eliminate specific risk factors and thereby lower their risk of developing or aggravating heart disease and heart failure."

Among prominent risk factors, he adds, hypertension (high blood pressure) and diabetes are particularly important. Uncontrolled hypertension increases the risk of heart failure by 200 per cent. Moreover, the degree of risk appears directly related to the severity of the blood pressure.

Further, diabetic patients have two to eight-fold greater risk of heart failure. Women with diabetes run a still greater risk of heart failure than men with diabetes. Part of the risk arises from association of diabetes with other heart failure risk factors, such as high blood pressure, obesity, and high cholesterol levels. The disease progression in diabetes also damages the heart muscle.

People at risk of developing heart disease can easily diagnose the condition earlier and more accurately, even up to the early stages of heart failure. In highly developed economies, counselling for lifestyle modification to reduce the risk of disease is more readily accepted. Unlike developed nations, the developing countries are grappling with the double burden of pre-transitional and post-transitional disease, and community awareness of the dangers of CVD is not high.

The task of CVD control in developing countries is, therefore, more complex. The government and health authorities in India must, however, lay greater emphasis on preventing the disease rather than only opting for curative or containment measures.

Dr Parambir Singh of SPS Apollo Hospital said at least 30 minutes of physical exercise was recommended. People, especially those at in high risk category, ought to go for a brisk walking or do gardening, dancing and sports as tennis and basketball, drink at least six glasses of water a day, keep check on blood pressure, take less salt, eat more fruits and vegetables and whole grains, avoid foods with saturated fats, trans fats and cholesterol, and, instead take foods rich in unsaturated or mono-saturated fats.

Among other preventive measures against heart disease are eating fewer fried foods, lean meat and fish, keeping a watch on weight as obesity and overweight could lead to heart attacks and stroke, follow a non-smoking regimen, keeping cholesterol and glucose levels under watch.

Ludhiana, September 29
Hindi fortnight organised at the Central Institute of Post Harvest Engineering and Technology (CIPHET) concluded today. The main aim was to promote the national language.

A large number of employees took part in various competitions organised on the occasion. The institute also honored journalists of a Hindi daily for promoting food-processing technologies.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr RT Patil, director, CIPHET, said Hindi was one of the unique languages of the world. "Even the person who has written the National Anthem of Pakistan was from Hindi background," he said, adding that they were trying hard to promote Hindi all levels in the institute.

Those who won the first prize in Hindi computers "tankan": Harbhopinder Singh, impromptu speech competition: Vishal Kumar, Hindi translation competition: Yashpal singh, one-day poster competition (scientist category): Dr N.K Narsaya, (technical category) Yashpal Singh, debate competition: Mukand Narayan, prayer competition: Sarop Singh, scientific debate: (scientist category) Dr Deepak Raj Rai, (non-scientist category) Dr Mukand Narayan, Hindi noting and drafting competition: Ajay Kumar Tandon, poetry competition: Dr Mukand Narayan. Besides, Sohan Lal was given prize for working in Hindi language.

Ludhiana, September 29
The Punjab Pradesh Beopar Mandal today lambasted the SAD-BJP alliance for befooling industrialists, traders and common man in the state. Members said the ruling government had played with the sentiments of people by promising a lot in their election manifesto but the ground realities were different with nothing being done for the common man.

President of the Punjab Pradesh Beopar Mandal Amrit Lal Jain said the SAD-BJP alliance in their election manifesto had announced that if they were voted to power, octroi would remain abolished forever. "This announcement was made in form of an advertisement in a section of Press on January 19, 2007. But the recent announcement on re-imposition of octroi in the state by party leaders has sent a shock-wave", said Aggarwal, further adding that the government had also announced that the rade and industry would get electricity supply for 24 hours.

"There were lots of tax concessions given by neighbouring states. But in Punjab, the situation was different with no power and huge taxes. Obviously, the industry was shifting to the neighbouring states of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir for better returns", said Aggarwal.

The members feel that Punjab was already at disadvantage as the industry here had to bear extra cost in freight, CST, entry tax, etc. The additional burden of octroi will be unbearable and trade and industry was in no position to bear the rising cost.

The president further added that during 2008-09, Punjab VAT registered dealers had already paid 10 per cent of the total collection of VAT monthly/quarterly in the name of "Punjab Municipal Fund".

Total VAT collections were to the tune of Rs 7,500 crore and Punjab Municipal Fund got a revenue of Rs 750 crore for reimbursement to the Municipal Corporations/ committees/nagar palikas etc. Besides, the government was already getting Rs 125-150 crore of octroi from electricity, liquor and petro goods.

Ludhiana, September 29
Dr J Bindra, member of the American Dental Association, will participate in a five-day workshop on the theme "Extended Horizons Using Mini Implants in Dental Practice" by Dr Gorden Christensen, the academic adviser, at the Scottrade Centre for Dentistry in the USA.

More than 1,000 dentists from all over the world will attend the workshop.

Dr Bindra will share her extensive experience on implant- based dentures with the international dental community. Live surgeries and practice sessions will be a part of the workshop.

Some patients do not have adequate bone for placement of implants. With the current available techniques, bone should be thick enough so that a minimum of 3 mm diameter implant can be inserted.

If the bone is insufficient then bone augmentation surgery has to be done which makes it fit for placement of implants. But a majority of patients do not desire, or cannot afford the requisite extensive grafting and augmentation. Dr J Bindra will help many such patients with cost effective and good results through her advanced training at the workshop.

At present working as Dean at Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha Dental College, Ludhiana, Dr J Bindra is the only dentist from North India to attend the prestigious meet.

Ludhiana, September 29
Punjab Agricultural University's Kisan Club has condemned the protest launched by some organisations opposed to agricultural research carried out by various farm universities in India and abroad.

During the club executive committee meeting held here, club president Pavittar Pal Singh Pangli remarked that so far there was no particular comparison data available to prove the harmful effects of GM crops.

He said there should not be any embargo on a particular type of research, adding that organisations like the PAU should go on with its research programmes that are ultimately aimed at the welfare of farmers and general public. He categorically mentioned the impetus to cotton scenario recently experienced by Indian farmers received through the testing and recommendation of Bt varieties.

He elaborated that the problem of American bollworm could only be tackled through Bt intervention. He said it does not behove any organisation targeting an individual for scientific and farm-oriented research programmes carried out by his research institute, especially when such programmes are supported by the Government of India and private sector through accepted norms and parameters within the approved framework.

Pangli said in certain states like Gujarat and Karnataka, even private players were producing Bt version of cotton and there was no resistance from any right-thinking organisation.

Meanwhile, former president of the club and ex-member of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices Mohinder Singh Grewal has also endorsed that the PAU should go ahead with its research and technical programmes if these are likely to increase output for the betterment of the farming community and to address the issue of food security for our burgeoning population.

Ludhiana, September 29
Despite paddy procurement starting across the state on September 28, in accordance with government announcement, the procedure is yet to begin in Ludhiana district.

With just a handful of farmers arriving in local markets with their produce today, the procurement process of paddy has been delayed by four-five days.

Talking to The Tribune, Avtar Singh Mehlon, district president, Bharti Kisan Union (BKU), said, "The procurement process is on in various districts of Punjab, but is yet to start in Ludhiana district because the farmers are being extra cautious about the produce."

He added, "A majority of them have chosen to bring in their produce a few days late so as to ensure zero moisture content in the crop because in case of moisture in the produce, the farmers are forced to sell their crop at lower prices."

Meanwhile, the farmers who have come to the local markets with their produce with a view to selling it on the very first day of paddy procurement yesterday, are a disappointed lot in the absence of any takers.

Sahab Singh, a farmer from Kakowal village in Ludhiana district, who came to the local grain market with his crop today, remarked, "With the procurement process expected to start in four-five days, we have no option but to camp in the grain market."

"Every year, paddy procurement is delayed by a few days in Ludhiana district. It is better to take one's produce to the neighbouring Khanna or Moga grain markets, where procurement has already started," added Makhan Singh, another paddy grower from Mathade village.

Ludhiana, September 29
A child is a bundle of joys, a flower incarnate in person. A flickering smile of the child pleases everyone. Childhood is the most important period of life as it shapes adulthood. In spite of the Child Labour Act, children continue to be exploited on different fronts.

Children working in hotels and dhabas are a common sight, but one never thought about those who are reviving the old art forms and are indirect victims of child labour.

Children working in circus and those part of the baazigar tribe are though helping in replenishing the dying art forms but they are losing the golden days of childhood.

A small girl was seen showing a balancing act on the rope in the busy city market. “I learnt this act from my elder sister. I never went to school and earn meagre amount by showing my skills in the road shows. Though people in the villages give us good response, but nobody is interested in the city areas,” she said.

“It’s a socio-economic crisis linked to poverty and illiteracy. It requires concerted efforts from all sections of the society to overcome this problem,” said Manisha, a city-based social worker.

Most of the acrobats in the circus are also children who enthral the audience with their skills. While everybody put their hands together at their acts, nobody ever realised that they are losing out their childhood.

A few months back, the children's plight even attracted the attention of the government, which decided to file a case against eight production houses currently making TV shows featuring child artistes. These production houses faced legal action for violating provisions of the Child Labour Act.

Jagraon, September 29
The Sidhwan Bet police has booked the sarpanch of Sowaddi village and his two sons for assaulting a journalist of a vernacular daily.

The incident occurred on Saturday when Gurpreet Singh of Talwandi village had gone to cover a kabaddi tournament being organised at the village.

During the tournament, sarpanch Pargat Singh along with his sons Gurwinder Singh and Nannu attacked the journalist in full public view.

The assailants allegedly removed the turban of the journalist, smashed his camera and manhandled him. Bystanders came to the rescue of the journalist and saved him from the hands of the three.

In his complaint to the police, Gurpreet Singh alleged that the sarpanch had attacked him as he had refused to tow his line and publish news according to his wishes.

He alleged that the sarpanch had a history of bullying journalists to get reports published in his favour.

Officials of the Punjab Union of Journalists and members of Press Club, Jagraon, met with SSP (Ludhiana rural) Gurpreet Singh Bhullar who assured prompt and appropriate action against the accused.

The Sidhwan Bet police has registered a case against the accused under Sections 295A, 323, 506 and 427 of the IPC. No arrest has been made as the accused are at large.

Ludhiana, September 29
With the arrest of three persons, the police claimed to have busted a gang of chain snatchers. The accused have been identified as Sanjiv, Vicky Verma and Sunil Kumar.

Complainant Mamta stated that she was coming from Phillaur in an auto and got down near Greenland School. When she was on her way on foot, the accused stopped her and snatched her mobile and a gold chain. She raised hue and cry and some passersby managed to catch the three and were handed them over to the police.

A case has been registered and investigations are still on.

Raikot, September 29
A youth escaped unhurt after a group fired upon him over a minor altercation near a local bus stand yesterday evening. A shot was fired after two groups entered into a heated argument over the issue.

At this, one of the youths from the rival group took out a pistol and fired upon him. The youth has been identified as Manjit Singh, a resident of the Barnala Chowk. He had to be admitted to the local civil hospital.

Manjit Singh lodged a complaint with the police. He stated that he and his friend, Ninder Singh, was returning on his motor cycle from Raikot civil hospital at around 9 pm after enquiring about his friend Soni’s mother Manjit Kaur. On their way home Rajinder Singh, alias Raja, and Gurmukh Singh of Saddowal village near Mehal Kalan waylaid them. After a minor altercation Raja fired upon him. However, the bullet missed the target and instead hit him on the shoulder. He said the Rajinder and others fled away leaving their scooter. Two of their accomplices were waiting for them on their motorcycle at some distance. The bone of contention between them was a mobile phone that Rajinder Singh had snatched from him about 20 days ago.

Ninder Singh took injured Manjit Singh to the civil hospital. From there the doctors referred him to DMC&H, Ludhiana. A case has been registered against Rajinder Singh under Sections 307 and 34 of the IPC and 25/27/54/59 of the Arms Act.

Machhiwara, September 29
A panchayat member along with two others has been booked by the police for axing trees from government land here.

The case was registered after an inquiry conducted on the orders of the Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana.

The accused have been identified as panchayat member of Nurpur village Buta Singh, Vijay and one unidentified person belonging to Nurpur village.

Stolen wood has been recovered by the police from the house of Vijay.

The police has registered a case under Section 379 of the IPC at the Machhiwara police station. The police is investigating the matter. The case was registered on the complainant of Jarnail Singh, a resident of Machhiwara.

Ludhiana, September 29
Football lovers in the region are in for a magnificent treat during next month as JCT, Phagwara, will play four home matches for the ONGC I-League at Guru Nanak Stadium here.

The first leg of the league matches, with 10 elite teams, and four new entrants, from different parts of India vying for top honours, will be under way on October 1 with the opener between defending champions Churchill Brothers, Goa and Mahindra United to be played at Mumbai.

JCT Phagwara, who were placed at the 9th position in the final ranking of the 2008-09 session, will take on new entrants Shillong Lajong Football Club on October 4 in their first home match. The lung opener will provide an opportunity to the home team to show their mettle and redeem some of the lost glory.

The Phagwara team will lock horns with the title holders Churchill Brothers in their next match on October 24. The match apparently will have all elements of a keen contest with the champions going great guns and the JCT having an advantage of the home ground and the home crowd.

The other fixtures for the JCT during the next month at their home ground here will be league matches against Dempo Sports Club Goa on October 28 and Mahindra United on October 31.

All matches will start at 3 pm at Guru Nanak Stadium here.