Ludhiana, December 25
The Sadar police today booked a woman tutor and three youths in a rape case. According to the police, the victim an 18-year-old girl from Kheri village, alleged that her former tuition teacher forcibly took her to an undisclosed location where the tutor's brother and his friends raped her and confined her in a room for six days.

The victim, a student of BA-II of a college in Model Town, alleged that on December 15, while she was returning home from college, her tuition teacher offered her lift.

When she sat in a car, the youths who were sitting on the back seat put chloroform-laced cloth on her face due to which she fell unconscious.

She alleged that when she regained conscious she found herself in a room. She alleged that teacher's brother repeatedly raped her.

Following her sudden disappearance, the parents of the victim lodged a police complaint.

The relatives of the victim alleged that the police freed the girl from a room three days ago.

DSP Narinderpal Singh confirmed the development and said the woman tutor and three others had been booked in a rape case.

The accused have been identified as Bharpur Singh, Manpreet Singh and Gagandeep Kaur, all resident of Kila Raipur, while Moni, who was said to be a sarpanch of a village situated in the vicinity has also booked in the rape case. The accused are still on the run.

Ludhiana, December 25
The byelections for electing 15 panches in different blocks of the district will be held on January 19.

Davinder Singh, Additional District Electoral Officer-cum-Additional Deputy Commissioner, said candidates could file their nominations between January 6 and 9.

Nomination papers would be scrutinised on January 11 and last date for filing nominations would be January 12, he added.

He said if there would be more than one candidate in fray, then elections would be held on January 19.

The process would end by January 21.

The byelections will be held in Lassara, Pohlewal, Deep Nagar in Doraha block, Brahm Majra and Bhikhi Khatra in Dehlon, Mand Gaunsgarh and Burj Powat in Macchhiwara, Dyalpura in Samrala block, Tunga Heri in Pakhowal block, Barewal Dogran in Ludhiana-II, Duley, Katani Khurd, Ramgarh, Mundian Khurd and Kanech in Ludhiana-I and Rasulra in Khanna block.

Ludhiana, December 25
A judicial magistrate, who is being accused of demanding dowry and attempting to kill his wife has apprehended threat to his life besides alleging harassment at the hands of local police ‘‘who was working at the behest of a SAD leader, who happens to be his father-in-law.’’

Baljinder Singh Saran, Judicial Magistrate of Amritsar, has alleged that the police was not joining him in the investigation despite grant of interim anticipatory bail by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

However, the work was withdrawn from him on December 7with the orders of High Court after he was booked by the police at Ludhiana.

Levelling these allegations, Judicial Magistrate had moved an application two days ago before a local court seeking directions to join him in the investigation, as per the orders of the High Court.

Despite being served notice by the court on the state, no cop turned up in the court. Then the notice was again given to SHO Division no: 7, who was investigating officer of the case for but he also failed to turn up.

One police official attended the court and gave a statement that the investigating officer was busy and unable to present himself in the court. The reason cited for the non-appearance was that a few Aanganwari workers had gheraoed the house of Jail Minister and the officer was stationed there.

Now the court has posted the matter for December 29, with a fresh direction to the investigating officer for appearing before the court personally.

In its application, the magistrate has mentioned that the SHO of Division no: 7 police station, was hand in glove with his in-laws, who were having strong political and administrative clout. He was dillydallying the matter in joining him in investigation in order to ensure that his anticipatory bail be not confirmed by the High Court.

Claiming himself and his family members to be falsely implicated, he had stated that the father of his wife Pal Singh Grewal was an Akali councillor. It has also been mentioned that his mother and maternal uncle were also being harassed, tortured and beaten up in the jail by in-laws family, as they were very close of Jail Minister Hira Singh Gabria.

Ludhiana, December 25
A Canada-based NRI was shot at following a heated argument with three armed assailants at Karnail Singh Nagar near the Gill road here today.

The victim identified as Inderjeet Singh (26), an NRI from Canada, who was on vacation along with his parents in Guru Nanak Colony, sustained bullet injury on his left leg and was rushed to DMC hospital, where his condition was stated to be critical.

The incident took place this afternoon, when Inderjeet along with his father Harnek Singh was heading home in their vehicle after visiting a clinic in Karnail Singh Nagar.

According to the police, the trio comprising Kulwant Singh (46) and his two sons Aman (22) and Vicky (20), all resident of Guru Nanak Colony, intercepted their vehicle and started abusing the victim.

Inderjeet alighted from the vehicle and indulged in an argument with the trio.

Harnek, father of Inderjeet, tried to stop them but Kulwant’s sons Vicky and Aman pushed him to a corner.

This infuriated Inderjeet and he pushed Kulwant and asked Vicky and Aman not to assault his father. Meanwhile, Kulwant took out his pistol and fired a shot at Inderjeet. The bullet hit straight into the left thigh of the victim.

The trio then fled away from the spot. Harnaik with the help of shopkeepers and residents took Inderjeet to a hospital. Meanwhile, the Sadar police has booked the trio in a murderous assault case and started a manhunt to nab them.

Investigating officer Jagjit Singh said personal enmity was stated be the reason behind the assault.

He said Kulwant’s wife divorced him three years ago and the accused blamed Inderjeet for being instrumental in their separation.

Both were neighbours and had cordial relations. But ever since Kulwant’s wife left him, the relation between the two families soured.

Kulwant blamed Inderjeet for disrupting the farmer’s married life and since then he was trying to settle score with Inderjeet.

Meanwhile, the victim flew to Canada. The rivalry emerged again when the victim visited his parents for winter vacations.

An empty tent at Dhandari.Photo: Inderjeet Verma

Ludhiana, December 25
The four police pickets in the Focal Point area following the migrants clash with the police on December 3 and 4 may not see the light of the day as neither industrialists nor vehra owners are willing to provide space for the police pickets.

Currently, all four police pickets are operating in makeshift tents and cops have no other option but to brave the cold weather. Repeated attempts by the police to shift a police picket under a concrete roof has failed to yield any result.

A migrant labourer, who lives in Ishwar Nagar colony, says following the clash on December 3 and 4, there is a lot of resentment, anxiety and a sense of distrust among the migrants.

Post-violence, the migrants had been claiming that locals, along with the police, allegedly torched the belongings of the migrants and forced them to leave the city.

Liaqat, a resident of Ishwar Nagar colony, said first the police had to win the trust of migrants and only then could they be provided a roof.

Currently, the police pickets are operating from Baba Jeevan Singh Nagar, Eastman Chowk, Aarti Steel Chowk and near Ishawar Nagar Colony. Apart from this, the process for setting up a police station at Daba road and Moti Nagar is also in the pipeline. A cop posted at the Eastman police post lamented the indifferent attitude of industrialists.

He said the industrialists criticised the police for their inaction in curbing the growing snatching cases, which further led to violence, but now, when the police had installed pickets, the industrialists had refused to provide any space.

On the other hand, the industrialists expressed their apprehension and said once the police post was established, it would be a tough task for industrialists to vacate the place in the future.

SSP Dr SS Gill is positive and plans to establish police posts in all areas. "We are discussing the matter with the industrialists and looking for a common place where we can establish our post as it does not require much space. I hope we will acquire the land soon. So till then these police pickets will operate from temporary tents," he said.

He added that the motive was to instil confidence among the migrants living in the area. There should be enough police presence in the area to address the complaints of migrants.

Ludhiana, December 25
With the arrival of winter, there has been an upsurge in the number of cardiac patients.Elaborating the medical aspect of the phenomenon, Dr GS Wander, chief cardiologist at Hero DMC Heart Institute (HDHI), said physiological changes and contamination of various infections during the winter increased the risk of heart attacks.

“Heart attacks usually occur in people with atherosclerosis, or a build-up of plaque in their arteries. For a heart attack to occur, some sudden events must cause the plaque to crack and rupture, due to which point blood platelets get sticky and form a clot in the artery. In cold weather, blood platelets appear to be more active and stickier, and therefore, more likely to clot. Some studies have even shown that levels of cholesterol, which contributes to plaque, also rise during the winter,” he remarked.

Cardiac patients become more prone to complications, which at times, could be life threatening.

“The HDHI offers a 10-day concessional package for cardiac procedures, including angiography and angioplasty,” Dr Wander added.

In addition, the institute will also make available the expertise of renowned cardiologist from the USA Dr Anil Kumar Mehra during this period.

Dr Mehra, who is a practicing cardiologist at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, will assist a team of cardiologists at the HDHI to perform complicated procedures. 

Ludhiana, December 25
GMT Public School, Jalandhar, organised its annual prize distribution function “Gunjan-2009”.Lal Singh, former, finance minister, Punjab, presided over the function.Directors of the school Kashmir Singh Thind and Jasbir Singh Thind, along with principal Amarjeet Kaur Dhaliwal, welcomed the chief guest.

A cultural show was organised by students.Saraswati vandana, nursery rhymes, dance, giddha and bhangra were the main features of the opening ceremony.

“Kalyug”, a play on female foeticide and corruption, was also staged by students.

Ludhiana, December 25
Christmas, which marks the birth of Jesus, the Son of God, was today celebrated in the city with full religious fervour and gaiety. The city, and its surrounding areas, was in the grip of Yuletide spirit as candles and carols in churches became the hallmark of the celebrations. Churches were beautifully decorated for the occasion, and people began making a beeline for them since the last night to offer special prayers.

The popular churches in the city, Kalvary Church on the Brown Road, Christ Church at the Fountain Chowk, Holy Cross Church at Sarabha Nagar, Girjaghar at Chaura Bazaar and 7th Day Church at Udham Singh Nagar were filled with devotees who came in their best attires.

Special prayers were offered at churches and the pastors rendered select chapters from the Holy Bible. They exhorted the community members to be good to others and set an example.

At Kalvary Church, Reverend Waris K. Masih, offering special prayer, said Jesus Christ was an apostle of peace. He called upon the members of the Christian community to coexist with camaraderie and brotherhood to spread peace, tolerance and compassion for fellow human beings. Christmas festival ushers in peace in lives of people all round the globe, he said in his message.

After the sermon the congregation sang traditional and new carols both in English and Hindi.

Christians in the city decorated their houses, terraces, gardens and compound walls with colorful papers, colored lights, stars and lanterns. Christmas trees also found their place in every home and garden. In city like Ludhiana with no snowfall, people used artificial snow to decorate shops and homes. The dining tables in every Christian household today remained flooded with cakes, wines, sweets and other dishes.

Numerous popular city restaurants had made elaborate arrangements to serve sumptuous meals, sweets, cakes and dips with music and dance as accompaniment as a part of celebrations. For the past several days, buffets and meals with different Christmas themes in some of the popular restaurants and star category hotels were being served as a prelude to the main festivities.

Ludhiana, December 25
Indian Beauty Industry has done business worth Rs 12
,000 crores in recent times. It was growing at the rate of 30 per cent per annum. In fact the beauty and wellness ranks next to the health, which itself was a $3 trillion Industry in India. The rise in per capita income of the nation and an increasing number of women joining the workforce had fuelled growth in this sector. Influences from the West, changing lifestyles of younger generation and men becoming conscious of their looks had created an acute demand for beauty services.

Indra Ahluwalia, CMD Grace Beauty Clinic Pvt.Ltd, told The Tribune that the sector was expanding like anything. It offered a range of career opportunities ranging from high-end super speciality jobs to the more basic ones. One could work in a salon, become a hair-stylist, beauty therapist and make-up artist or a spa therapist. The robust manpower requirements were well matched with hefty pay packages varying from Rs 125 lakh to Rs 3 lakh per annum for beauty professionals, making the industry a lucrative career option.

She added that the beauty industry had grown tremendously in the past two years. “Starting from teenagers to the old people, everyone wants to look good. People have no dearth of money and they don’t mind spending a few to look beautiful. We are expecting that the industry will grow tremendously in the next two years”, said Ahluwalia, who started the career almost three decades ago with a small beauty clinic in Model Town area. Today, Ahluwalia is successfully running three beauty clinics in Ludhiana and one in Mumbai. She plans to open more clinics at places like Chandigarh, Patiala and Amritsar in coming days.

“The deaf and dumb girls are very creative with artistic hand and mind. I have trained more than 12 such girls who are running their own beauty parlours. They are earning good money. Many of them are absorbed in my clinic itself”, she added.

Khanna, December 25
Panicky over four deaths due to the swine flu a large number of local residents were seen queuing outside a homeopath’s clinic to get medicines free of cost to keep the H1N1 virus at bay.

The homeopathic doctor claimed that anyone coming in contact with a swine flu affected person would remain unaffected.

While the homeopath claims to be offering medicine for H1N1 virus free of cost, the district health authorities say that no such medicine exists in the market.

There are large number of women and children among the residents who are making a beeline to the clinic.

Meanwhile, the officials of the district health department said the doctor might be using swine flu medicine as a way to popularise himself.

The homeopathic doctor while talking to TNS over phone said he had so far distributed medicines free of cost as a precautionary measure to nearly 2,000 patients.

“I give this medicine just between 4 pm to 6 pm and already 300 people have visited my clinic to take medicines”, he said.

He revealed that panic gripped among residents after the death of a local dentist and his NRI mother, a 28-year-old woman of Khanna and another 23-year-old boy from Samrala.

Senior Medical Officer Dr Balwinder Kailsi when contacted said he was not aware of anyone selling medicines for swine flu in the city. He said there was no such medicine available in the market. 

Phillaur, December 25
National president of the Bahujan Samaj Morcha Satnam Singh Kainth has urged the Centre and state governments to jointly solve core issues like the rise in prices of the essential commodities, unemployment, corruption and the Naxalite movements.

Addressing mediapersons here today, Kainth said these issues should be taken on priorities basis by keeping aside political differences. He added that the misguided youths should be brought in the mainstream. All pre-poll promises made by the SAD-BJP government should be fulfilled and politicians should come forward to hear and solve grievances of the people. 

Ludhiana, December 25
His innings in the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation is just for few months and yet he has made a difference to the city. The large-scale demolition drive being undertaken by the civic body these days and unraveling of the fake bill scam bring to fore alleged political-official-contractor nexus are a few of the events why his tenure would be remembered.

Municipal Commissioner AK Sinha, who believes that a public servant is successful only if he makes a difference, in a chat with Jyotika Sood reveals how year 2009 was for him and his vision for 2010.

Q. Was 2009 memorable or forgettable?

Ans. For an optimist person, every moment is memorable. Every issue has something positive in it and if you keep a good approach, things turn out to be well for you. So, as far as 2009 is concerned the entire year has been a fruitful and good for me.

All events like appointment as municipal commissioner, special assignments given by the government have encouraged me in a way. These additional responsibilities entrusted on me have boasted my morale and I feel encouraged. My aim of life is to make a difference to the people and I think I am on the right track.

Q. Was the year disappointing or inspiring?

Ans. Patience is the virtue key. If you make constant efforts and don’t get deviated by various distractions, you feel successful. For me the year was inspiring on the whole as I was given chances to explore more avenues.

In fact I have been getting a very good response from the public since I joined office as municipal commissioner. A word of praise from a common man is the best gift a bureaucrat can get in the profession that has become a target for critics these days. But on the whole I feel contended.

Q. Did anyone make you happy this year?

Ans. Every person who comes to my office with a complaint and than call me to thank makes me happy. I feel happy when a common man who is not known to me looks forward with a hope that I may have a solution to their problem. People have lots of expectation from a public servant and trying to meet these expectations is one of the biggest challenges before us. Sometimes we do upset people, but we do have our shortcomings and bindings. People should understand this and try to have faith in us.

Q. Any ‘first’ during the year?

Ans. This year I was sent on a special study assignment under which I visited various countries. The visit has broaden my horizon and added to my knowledge. The world has really developed and I wish to bring the same change in Ludhiana. It is tough, but not impossible. The industrial city has a potential to incorporate western infrastructure the only need is vision and efforts, which I think I would try if given opportunity.

Q. What are your plans for 2010?

Ans. Better civic amenities, state-of-art infrastructure and transparency in government machinery are some of my priorities. Besides, stalled projects like Lakkar Bridge, Indoor Stadium etc too would be started and more entertainment avenues for the public too are on the cards like developing of Rakh Bagh, Rose Garden etc. I’ll try my best to make Ludhiana MC more public-friendly and make Ludhiana best city of Punjab.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, December 25
Swindlers continue to dupe those living in rural areas by exploiting their mindset of sending their wards abroad by marrying them with NRIs.

Warnings by the police and a few social and political organisations seem to have yielded insignificant result. With the administration tightening its noose around the neck of marriage bureaus, the swindlers have started using columns of a few vernacular newspapers for luring prospective brides and grooms.

Investigations by The Tribune revealed that the warnings by the administration and a few social and political organisations had failed to create awareness among rural masses about fraudulent matrimonial advertisements in a section of media.

Gurmeet Singh, a farmer of Dhaler Kalan, told the police that Dharmej Singh of Mari Mustafa in the Bagha Purana area had duped him. The suspect, impersonating as an US citizen Davinder Singh of Nizamwala, had sought matrimonial alliance for him through columns of a newspaper being published from Jalandhar.

“When we contacted him on the given mobile number Davinder Singh told us that he would marry my niece after his mother’s approval. Later, he started pretending that a few of his relatives were against this marriage but he would convince them for the same,” Gurmeet Singh alleged that the suspect had extorted Rs 4.50 lakh from him for arranging business visa for his nephew Jasbir Singh as well.

Having booked the suspect under Sections 420, 419 and 406 of the IPC, the Sadar police led by Bhagwant Singh is trying to collect information about his other victims.

Earlier the Ludhiana (Rural) police has booked at least 14 persons, including owners of marriage bureaus and marriage palaces, who had allegedly been duping innocent people on the pretext of sending them abroad on the basis of fake marriages and promising to find them jobs there.

Doraha (Ludhiana), December 25
Exhibiting great mobility in their attacks and superb ball control, Mata Sahib Kaur Hockey Academy, Jarkhar inflicted 4-2 defeat over their experienced opponents, Sports School, Jalandhar, on the third day of the 7th All-India Doraha Gold Cup Hockey Tournament being organised by Doraha Hawks, Doraha, at Mehta Gurkul Public School Senior Secondary School grounds, here today.

After dominating the proceedings in the initial moments, Jarkhar lads earned lead in the 18th minute through Daljeet Singh. They made forays into the rival's citadel, repeatedly but failed to achieve the desired result.

In the second session, Sports School, Jalandhar, neutarlised the lead when Amarjot Singh struck in the 39th minute to level the score.

However, their joys were shortlived as the determined lads of Mata Sahib Kaur Academy again surged ahead in the 42nd minute when Gagandeep found the target. He added two goals more (45th and 53rd minutes) to complete his hat trick and also enhance the lead to 4-1.

With a few minute to go for the long hooter, Amritpal Singh, after dodging past a hoard of defenders from Jarkhar, managed to sneak into the danger zone and succeeded in sending a sizzler into the net (2-4).

The second match of the day was played between DAV Public Senior Secondary School, Chandigarh, and Best Godawari Hockey Academy, Andhra Pradesh, turned out to be a well contested affair which ended in a goal-less draw.

In the third match, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Academy, Amritsar, defeated Punjab and Sind Bank Junior Academy, Jalandhar, 2-0.

After the initial hiccups, Amritsar players shot into the lead just one minute before the lemon break when Rupinder Singh sounded the board. Ramandeep Singh increased the lead in the 53rd minute (2-0) which proved fatal for the Jalandhar-based academy.

In another match, Surjit Academy, Jalandhar, proved too good for SAI, Kurukshetra, whom they blanked 2-0. The winners struck one goal in each half.

Gaurav Sehgal opened the account for Jalandhar in the 28th minute while Manjinder Singh consolidated the lead in the 51st minute and helped their side to record 2-0 victory.

Gurpreet Singh Peeta (USA), Olympian Baljeet Saini, Jatinder Sharma, principal, Shakti Public School, Gurmeet Singh Narang, manager, Punjab and Sind Bank, Doraha, Gurjeet Singh Maghar, Ashish Sood, Tarvinder Kumar Bobby, Ajay Partap, principal of MGPPS School, Rajbeer Singh and Baldev Krishan Mehta were among others who watched the matches today.

Ludhiana, December 25
On the concluding day of the 10-day coach- cum-training camp organised at on the premises of the Satish Chander Dhawan Government College, the following spikers have been shortlisted to represent Punjab in the forthcoming Senior National Volleyball Championship, slated to be conducted from December 28 to January 6 at Gwalior.

The selection panel comprising Raj Kumar, honorary general secretary, Punjab Volleyball Association, Dr Rajinder Passi and Naresh Pathak, vice-president and joint secretary, respectively, of the association coordinated with the senior volleyball coaches, Surinder Singh and Neelam Rani in finalising the state squads for the national championship.

After releasing the list of the players, Raj Kumar said the teams had been trained to attain top position, this time. In the last edition of the national meet, held at Vishakhapatnam, Punjab men lost in the quarter finals while the state eves made exit in the pre-quarter finals.

The teams will leave for Gwalior tomorrow evening.

Names of those selected are (men)- Gurinder Singh, Balwinder Singh, Navjeet Singh, Gurchand Singh, Ravi Kant, Rajbir Singh, Sukhdeep Singh, Sukhjinder Singh, Anurudh, Suraj Parkash, Manjeet Singh and Sarban Kumar. Stand bys- Shamsher Singh, Gagandeep Singh and Sandeep Singh. Surinder Singh, SAI coach, posted at Ludhiana will accompany the team as the coach. Women- Gurinder Kaur, Harmanjit Kaur, Javir Kaur, Gaganpreet Kaur, Sumandeep Kaur, Manpreet Kaur, Manjot Kaur, Ramandeep Kaur, Gagandeep Kaur, Rupinder Kaur, Rajwinder Kaur and Harwinder Kaur. Stand bys-Sharanjeet Kaur and Rupinder Kaur. Neelam Rani has been appointed as their coach.