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Gang of robbers busted, 11 held
Chandigarh, January 15
The police claimed to have busted an interstate gang of robbers, arresting eleven of its members, who were involved in several crimes ranging from murder to robbery and theft and had been earlier convicted in many cases.

Police officials display weapons seized from the robbers at the crime branch in Sector 11, Chandigarh, on Friday. A Tribune photograph

Women delayed delivery date due to eclipse
Chandigarh, January 15
Even in the 21st century superstitious beliefs continue to have a hold on many people. Even though there is no scientific logic behind the notion that giving birth on the day of a solar eclipse is “inauspicious,” a lot of city residents, including those who are educated, think otherwise. In keeping with this misplaced belief four women who were scheduled for “elective caesareans” at the PGI today postponed their surgeries for the day.

Youth gets 4-yr-term for road rage
Had hit a Home Guard jawan with his car in 2008
Chandigarh, January 15
Twenty-year-old Gaurav, hailing from Muktsar, was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment under various sections of the IPC by the court of additional district and sessions judge RK Sondhi today.

ASI held for taking bribe
Chandigarh, January 15
Sarwan Singh, an ASI in the Punjab Police, was nabbed by the CBI today for taking a bribe of Rs 10,000. He had allegedly demanded the money from a person involved in an NDPC case promising to help him out. The CBI had received a complaint yesterday, acting on which the ASI was arrested today.

COMMUNITY

Fire breaks out at PGI due to short circuit
Fifth incident in one year
Chandigarh, January 15
It appears the PGI, the region’s premier medical institute, is virtually waiting for a major tragedy to occur. Five incidents of electrical short-circuiting (see box), some resulting in minor fires, in the past one year, with the latest being today, have apparently failed to convince the hospital authorities about the urgency to act and change worn out wirings in various buildings.

A fire broke out at a transformer following a short circuit near the Nehru Hospital at the PGI today. A Tribune photograph

Ruchika Case
CBI records statements of Girhotras, Anand Prakash
Chandigarh, January 15
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team probing the three fresh FIRs registered against former Haryana Director-General of Police SPS Rathore recorded the statement of Subhash Girhotra, Ruchika’s father, here today.

Suicide at GMCH
Victim’s father wants two classmates summoned
Chandigarh, January 15
Two years after the suicide of Jaspreet Singh, a third-semester MBBS student at the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), his father deposed in court today.

Beautification of Sec 17
Shopkeepers told to affix banners on first floor
Chandigarh, January 15
Sector 17 shopkeepers will have to implement the guidelines of the Advertisement ControlAct for displaying their banners, besides following the building bylaws to avoid any stringent action within a month.

This tree fell on the balcony of house No 1118 in Sector 34-C, Chandigarh, on the night of January 12. The residents of the house said they had complained to the authorities concerned many times about the danger posed by the tree,but no action was taken. Tribune photo: Manoj Mahajan

Evidence closed in rape case
Major loopholes pointed out in inquiry
Chandigarh, January 15
Nearly three years after a case was registered against Narinder, director of the Frontier Cycles, for rape and criminal intimidation on the basis of a complaint by a 24-year-old Ropar resident, evidence in the case was closed today.

Some respite, but chill to persist
Chandigarh, January 15
Although a clear and sunny day brought some respite from the cold till this afternoon, the chill returned towards the evening. The night temperature recorded a low of 5.5 degree Celsius, 0.5 degree Celsius above yesterday’s temperature.

GMCH-32 coordinating agency for UT
Chandigarh, January 15
The National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) has designated the Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, as the state coordinating agency for the UT Chandigarh and the state of Punjab.

Foundation stone of sanitation office laid
Chandigarh, January 15
Municipal Corporation Commissioner, Dr Roshan Sunkaria, recently laid the foundation stone of pilot project of sanitation office-cum-complaint centre in Sector 37-D.

Parents file complaint against principal
50 latecomers barred from entering school
Chandigarh, January 15
High drama prevailed outside the GMSSS, Sector 18, today, when some parents raised hue and cry against Principal Nirupma Krishan for barring around 50 latecomers from entering the school.

GMADA notice on approved colonies causes confusion
Mohali/Zirakpur, January 15
Woken out of its slumber by GMADA’s public notice on approved colonies in Mohali’s periphery, which warned stringent action would taken against promoters of illegal colonies, the Zirakpur MC is now doing a reality check.

A matter of faith for some
For others just a celestial phenomenon
Chandigarh, January 15
Although the solar eclipse was partially visible in this part of the region, there were thousands of people who observed fast, took a holy dip, offered food and charity to the poor and performed prayers to avoid its “ill-effects” on them.

Different stages of the solar eclipse in Chandigarh on Friday. Tribune photos: Manoj Mahajan

Protest by Markfed employees
Chandigarh, January 15
Employees of the Markfed today staged a protest at their head office in Sector 35, here, in support of their demands.The employees took mass leave and staged similar rallies at their sub-offices across Punjab.



Markfed employees stage a demonstration at their head office in Sector 35, Chandigarh, on Friday. A Tribune photograph

Institute director gets award
Chandigarh, January 15 Kulwant Singh Gill, director, Educational Institutes, Ratwara Sahib, has been awarded the India International Achiever Award-2009 by the NRI Institute. The award was presented by Dr Lenny Saith, Minister in the Office of Prime Minister, Trinidad and Tobago, during the 20th anniversary celebrations of the institute at New Delhi recently.

Use of Punjabi
GMADA violates govt instructions
Mohali, January 15
Senior officials of the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) and rural and panchayat department, Punjab, were found violating the government instructions on the use of Punjabi in their respective offices.

Hearing of case against MC chief on Jan 28
Mohali, January 15
As the case related to alleged misuse of power by the Municipal Council president has again come up for hearing after more than two years, council chief Rajinder Singh Rana today described the move as politically motivated.

Denial of Entry to Inmate
DC seeks explanation from Ashiana
Panchkula, January 15
Taking cognisance of the reports regarding denial of entry to an old inmate by the Ashiana (home for destitute) management, Panchkula, Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Yadav has asked project officer of the Integrated Child Development Programme to issue notice to the management seeking explanation on their conduct.

Newly born girls given clothes
Mohali, January 15
Clothes, shoes, caps and toys were given to newly born girls at a Lohri function organised by the House Owners Welfare Association, Phase 5, at Dharana Bhawan in Phase 5, here, last night.

Sections of RTI Act discussed
Chandigarh, January 15
The department of life long learning and extension in association with the RTI Cell, Panjab University, organised a seminar on “The Right to Information Act (RTI) 2005: A Tool for Empowerment” on the campus here today.

Rupan Deol Bajaj, State Information Commissioner, Punjab, at a seminar in Panjab University. A Tribune photograph

No move to constitute advisory committee
Chandigarh, January 15
It seems that the Chandigarh administration is not taking any interest in constituting the Home Minister’s Advisory Committee, the term of which expired in April, 2009. As per records of the administration, the committee was constituted in April, 2007, for a term of two years.

Fire brigade workers meet MC Commissioner
Chandigarh, January 15
Representatives of the Fire Brigade Workers Welfare Union yesterday met Municipal Corporation Commissioner Dr Roshan Sunkaria and kept their demands before him.

Need to conserve oil, natural gas stressed
Chandigarh, January 15
The inaugural function of the Oil and Gas Conservation Fortnight (OGCF)-2010 with the theme, “Save oil-save money” was organised at the Bal Bhavan, Sector 23, here today.

EDUCATION

Rs 38 crore to be spent on development
Chandigarh, January 15
In a major decision taken at the finance board meeting of Panjab University here today, it was decided to spend Rs 38 crore on 36 developmental projects in the university.

Admission to special children
CBSE warning on affiliation
Chandigarh, January 15
The Central Board of Secondary Education has threatened to take back the affiliation of those schools which fail to “provide attention” to the special children or deny them admissions.

Notice to St John’s principal
Chandigarh, January 15
A local court today served notice to the principal of St John’s School, Sector 26, in connection with a suit filed by a local human rights activist.

MCM college first in face painting
Chandigarh, January 15
The Psychology Society of MCM DAV College for Women, “INSIGHT”, organised a PSYCHOFEST 2010, an inter-college psychology meet here today.


Girls at a face-painting competition during PSYCHOFEST 2010 at MCMDAV college, Sector 36, Chandigarh, on Friday. Tribune photo: Parvesh Chauhan

Continuous learning among teachers stressed
Mohali, January 15
Faculty members of Ashmah International School attended a workshop in order to meet the upcoming challenges in education.

PU girls’ hostel canteen awaits expansion
Chandigarh, January 15
The canteen of the girls’ hostel No.1, which needs expansion, has failed to catch the eyes of the Panjab University’s dons, who have lately been discussing women issues.




The canteen of hostel No.1, which awaits expansion. Tribune photo: Pradeep Tewari

NEIGHBOURHOOD

Students of Punjabi University watch solar eclipse in Patiala on Friday. Tribune photo: Rajesh Sachar

Kabaddi meet concludes
Kalka, January 15
The two-day State Level Open Kabaddi Tournament concluded today at Smt Aruna Asaf Ali Government PG College, Kalka. The tournament commenced on January 14.

Man commits suicide
Ropar, January 15
A commission agent, Surinder Vinayak of the area near the Ram Mandir, committed suicide by consuming some poisonous substance here this evening.He was rushed to the Ropar civil hospital. Doctors declared him dead on arrival. Members of his family found two suicide notes, signed in his name and carrying today’s date, in his pocket.

Punjab Parliamentary Secretary distributes cheques among villagers at Rajpura. Tribune photo: JS Virdi

Woman accused of murdering husband surrenders
Kharar, January 15
A Rajpura-based woman accused of plotting murder of her husband surrendered in the Kharar court today.The accused, Kamaljit Kaur, surrendered when the court was about to declare her a proclaimed offender.

Army Day celebrated
Fatehgarh Sahib, January 15
The Headquarter 2 Corps celebrated the Army Day amidst civilians showcasing its battle ornaments and latest hi-tech weapons at the Continental Group of Institutes (CGI), Jalvehra campus, here today.

COURTS

Notices served on DC, SSP
Chandigarh, January 15
A Division Bench of Punjab and Haryana High Court has served notices on the deputy commissioner and the SSP after a public interest petition filed by advocate M.S.Gorsi questioned the mushrooming of unlicensed private security agencies in  the city.

CRIME

Man held for raping minor
Chandigarh, January 15
A 28-year-old man was arrested on the charges of raping a four-year-old girl in Burail late last night. The accused fled the spot, leaving the victim bleeding. He was later arrested.

SPORTS

Shikha grabs gold in javelin throw
Chandigarh, January 15
On the second day of the Inter-School Athletics Championship, Shikha of Government Model Senior Secondary School,Sector 35, grabbed gold in the U-19 girls’javelin throw by throwing the spear to a distance of 22.35m.Manmeet Kaur of GMSSS-35 claimed the silver medal, whereas, Jaspreet Kaur of GMSSS-21, got the bronze.The event is being organised by the Chandigarh Education Department at the Sector 7, Sports Complex.

A girl participant at the Inter-School Athletics Championship in Sector 7, Chandigarh, on Friday. Tribune photo: Manoj Mahajan 

CFA to conduct U-21 team trials on Jan 17
Chandigarh January 15
The Chandigarh Football Association will conduct trials for U-21 team at the Football Stadium, Sector 17, on January 17 at 3pm.

Dalbir wins women’s golf title
Chandigarh, January 15
Dalbir Sahi clinched the January Kingfisher Medal Round logging a nett card of 74 in the Chandigarh Golf Club women golf here yesterday.

City lad to get training at pace academy
Chandigarh, January 15
City lad Sahib Malhotra has been called by the MRF Pace Academy, Chennai, for the consecutive fourth time to get training under Dennis Lillee, an Australian coach.

SGGS College clinch judo title
Chandigarh, January 15
SGGS College, Sector 26, won the Panjab University Judo (men) Championship, 2009-10, with 31.5 points. SGGS Khalsa College, Mahilpur, Government College, Hoshiarpur, and KL SD College, Ludhiana, secured the second, third and fourth position with 14, 10.5 and six points, respectively.

The team of the SGGS College, Sector 26, that won the Panjab University Inter-College Judo Championship in Chandigarh on Friday. A Tribune photograph