The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

NEIGHBOURHOOD

Mysterious disease grips Ambala village
50 residents complain of swelling in legs, dizziness
Our correspondent

Ambala, May 22
Around 50 persons, including 28 women, of Samrehri village, near Ambala Cantt, were rushed to the civil hospital today after they complained of swelling in the lower part of their legs and dizziness.

Even three days back, some persons were found to be afflicted with the mysterious disease by a team of doctors which had visited the village. Two of the girls, whose platelets were found on the lower side, were referred to the PGI, Chandigarh.

The test conducted on the patients in the civil hospital revealed that the platelets of a few of them were below one lakh. Dr Pankaj, a physician doctor of the hospital, who examined the patients today said only after a detailed medical examination doctors would be in a position to say anything about the disease.

Meanwhile, Principal Medical Officer of the hospital Dr G Kumar said the mustered oil being used by the villagers could be a cause of this mysterious disease.

He said a report submitted by the team which had visited the village showed most villagers had been using the oil. He added the Health Department had collected the samples of mustered oil from two shops and sent them for testing.

Villagers has been asked not to use the mustered oil till the reports of the samples were out, said Dr Kumar.

According to hospital sources, most patients were relieved by the evening after providing them treatment. Deputy Commissioner Samir Pal Saro said every possible medical aid to patients would be provided.

New traffic plan irks Patiala residents
Gagan K Teja
Tribune News Service

Patiala, May 22
The newly implemented traffic plan here is once again facing opposition from Patiala residents, especially two-wheeler riders, who feel that the plan instead of facilitating them has created more trouble.

They alleged that though the administration had been successful in implementing the one-way traffic system in certain areas, it had completely ignored the problems being faced by city residents.

Though the administration has introduced one-way traffic system from Tawkali turn to Dharmpura Market, Anardana Chowk and Adalat Bazar, Leela Bhawan to Railway Crossing Number 22 and in markets in Arya Samaj, Lahori Gate, and Dharampura Bazar, it has completely ignored the discomfort of the vehicular traffic.

Many feel that the one-way traffic system should not be implemented on two-wheelers because the main rush that occurs in markets is due to four wheelers. “There is no congestion because of two-wheelers because they hardly occupy any space. In fact one-way system has brought more trouble for us as all heavy vehicles are also directed to the same routes making it difficult for two-wheelers to cope with them,” added Vinay Kumar, a resident of Ragho Majra.

Surinder Singh, who works at a shop in Dharampura Bazar said, “Instead, the administration should exempt two-wheelers from one-way plan in order to avoid rush. Also it should ban the entry of heavy vehicles in the city like other big cities during daytime in order to control traffic.”

1 killed in road mishap

Ambala: A student of polytechnic, Ambala Cantt, was killed in a road accident on the Ambala-Hissar road near Balana here late last evening. The deceased was identified as Pradeep Kumar (22). According to information, Pradeep was on his motorcycle and going to meet one of his friends. When he was crossing near Balana, a speedy truck hit his motorcycle and he died on the spot. Meanwhile, truck driver fled from the spot. The police has registered a case against the truck driver and the body was handed over to his relatives after a post mortem.

COURTS

Bribe Case
Rajasthan cops in judicial custody
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 22
Three cops from the Rajasthan Police, who were nabbed red-handed by the CBI team last night while accepting a bribe from a local liquor contractor, have been remanded in judicial custody till June 5 by the special CBI court at Chandigarh.

The accused, identified as sub-inspector Bharat Kumar Chaudhary, head constable Shakeel Mohammad and constable Kheme Ram, were caught by the CBI sleuths, following a complaint by the local liquor contractor.

The complainant had alleged that the cops were demanding Rs 25,000 from him after detaining his truck transporting liquor illegally from Chandigarh to Rajasthan a few days ago. The truck has been detained at the police station, Sanchaur, Sirohi district, Rajasthan.

The complainant also alleged that the cops had come to his shop and threatened to implicate him if he did not pay them Rs 25,000 as the bribe.

Following the complaint, the CBI sleuths laid a trap and nabbed the trio when they came to meet the complainant at his shop last night.

Arms Act Case
Two inspectors cross-examined
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 22
A local court today cross-examined Inspector Joginder Singh and Inspector Kuldeep Singh, two witnesses in the Arms Act case of highway robbers.

Both of them stated that they had nabbed Jaipal, Harjot, Harinder and Gursher on June 30, 2009, while acting on secret information that the accused were coming to the city from Ludhiana after committing a robbery.

They submitted that they had recovered three pistols, one revolver and Rs 4.64 lakh from their possession. The cross-examination will continue on May 24 in the court of JMIC Sunil Kumar.

Rapist gets 7-year jail
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, May 22
The local court here today sentenced Raj Kumar, a resident of Dehradun, to seven years of rigorous imprisonment on charges of rape and marrying for the third time.

The court has sentenced Raj Kumar to seven-year imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 7,000 under Section 376 (rape), five-year imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5,000 under Section 405 (breach of trust), and two-year imprisonment under Section 406 of the IPC. All three sentences would run concurrently.

Manisha, third wife of Raj Kumar, had lodged a complaint with the police on March 3, 2009 stating that she was married to Raj Kumar at the Gurdwara Kohni Sahib at Bhaisa Tibba on November 12, 2008. She said after about four months of the marriage she came to know that the accused was already having two wives, namely Anju and Dimple. She said second wife, Dimple, had lodged a complaint against Raj Kumar. However, first wife, Anju, had not filed any complaint.

CRIME

One booked in hit-and-run case
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 22
The police has booked Gurwinder Singh Ball of Sector 15 in a hit-and-run case. A case under Sections 279 and 304-A has been registered against him.

Ram Kumar (56) was hit by a car (PB 08 AT 0008) being driven by Gurwinder near police lines, Sector 26, on Thursday.

Kumar was then rushed to the GMSH, Sector 16, where he succumbed to his injuries on Friday.

A complaint was lodged by brother-in-law of the deceased Sandeep Kumar against the accused. No arrest has been made so far.

Vehicle stolen

Isha Preet Singh of Sector 44 reported to the police that someone had stolen his Innova Car (PB 01 6414) from outside his residence on Wednesday night.

A case under Section 379 IPC has been registered in this connection.

Taxi driver hurt in brawl
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 22
A taxi driver, identified as Ranjit Singh, sustained serious injuries on his neck when he was attacked using a sharp-edged weapon by Anil Kumar, another driver, along with his friend, Kalu, following a brawl at the taxi stand in front of the ISBT, Sector 17, here late last night.

A minor dispute over Safari taxi was the reason behind the provocation of attack by the accused.

The victim was immediately rushed to the PGI, where his condition is said to be critical. Meanwhile, the police has registered a case under Sections 324 and 34 of the IPC at the Sector 17 police station.

The Section 307 could also be added after the statements of the victim, said Jaswinder Singh, SHO of the police station.

Liquor Vend Case
Raids on, owner booked
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 22
In an effort to nab accused Karan Thapa, who injured his three co-workers with a knife at a liquor vend on Friday, the police conducted raids to identify his associates here today.

“We are trying to identify the close associates of Thapa to get some clues. Several persons have been examined at Burail, where he used to stay before the crime,” said Vijay Kumar, DSP (South).

However, the efforts are yet to bear fruits, he added. Thapa, who hails from Nepal, has been absconding after injuring Bhushan, Pappu and Sansar Chand. “Thapa attacked them for revenge,” the DSP added.

We have formed teams to track the accused and he would be arrested soon, said the DSP. Meanwhile, the victims have been recuperating at the PGI where they are said be out of danger.

Vend owner Satish Gupta has not given any information of his servants for police verification and has been booked under appropriate sections.

Two injured in mishap
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, May 22
In a freak incident, two children were seriously injured after being hit by a Maruti car at Labour Chowk near Indira Colony here today.

According to sources, the injured, identified as Jatinder (3) and Shiv Kumari (7), were on their way to Badayun in Uttar Pradesh, along with their father Ajay and uncle Vijay, when while crossing the road near Labour Chowk, a Maruti car (CH-F-5885) hit them.

The children were rushed to the Sector 6 General Hospital, where their condition is stated to be stable.

The police has impounded the vehicle and a case has been registered against the car driver at the Sector 16 police station.

Incorrect tip-off keeps cops on toes
Tribune News Service

Mohali, May 22
A tip-off received by the police that two persons were carrying a large consignment of heroin turned out to be incorrect after the police nabbed Denny Singh, a resident of Mohali, and recovered white powder from his car. However, a Nigerian, identified as Peter, managed to escape from the spot.

After receiving the information, the police had laid a naka near Sector 70 and nabbed the suspects.

The police said it had sent the white powder for examination.

Suicide

A 28-year-old youth allegedly committed suicide at his residence in Phase I on Saturday afternoon.

The investigating officer stated that Roopinder Singh hanged herself from the ceiling fan.

The family members told the police that the boy was under depression. The body of the youth was handed over to the family after an autopsy.

The police official stated that an inquest proceeding had been initiated.

Death

Zirakpur: An 18-year-old youth died after falling from the third floor of his residence at Ravindra Enclave, Baltana, on Friday night. The deceased was identified as Chandra Shekhar.

According to the police, Chandra Shekhar was staying with his brother-in-law.

While family of the deceased termed it an accident, the police is yet to ascertain the real cause behind the incident.

Theft

Thieves decamped with gold jewellery, cash and other items worth lakhs of rupees after breaking into two houses at Savitri Enclave located on the Zirakpur-Ambala highway on Friday.

Jasmair Singh, a resident of Savitri Enclave, said he was away to Mohali, when the incident occurred.

He said one of his relatives, who had come to meet him, found the locks of the house broken and informed him about the theft.

Jasmair said clothes, jewellery, cash, two cameras and other goods were stolen from the house.

The police official stated a probe was on.

Boy assaulted
Tribune Reporters

Panchkula, May 22
A 17-year-old boy was injured when a group of boys attacked him with sharp-edged weapons in front of a coaching centre at Sector 10 here this evening.

The victim, who has been identified as Tarun, was immediately rushed to the Sector 6 general hospital where his condition is stated to be stable. The police is investigating the case and no arrest has been made till the filing of this report.

Tarun in his complaint said he had an altercation with a student yesterday evening and he suspected that the same student, along with other boys, had attacked him.

SPORTS

Cricket
Lovepreet restricts Kapurthala to 285
Tribune News Service

Mohali, May 22
Fine bowling spell (4 for 43) by Lovepreet Singh helped Mohali restrict Kapurthala to 285 on the first day of the second round matches of Punjab U-22 Inter District Cricket Tournament held at the PCA Stadium here today.

After winning the toss, Mohali opted to field first. Kapurthala were all out at 285 in 93.4 overs. Kapurthala lost half of their batsmen at 83 runs in 45.4 overs.

A partnership of 90 runs between Rohit Jassal and Rahul Baloria was broken when Rahul was bowled out by Harpreet Golu at 56 runs off 80 balls. Thereafter, Arjun Kumar joined Rohit Jassal and the duo added 54 runs for the seventh wicket. Rohit Jassal was neatly stumped by Tarun Sharma at 81 runs off 179 balls.

Another useful partnership between Arjun Kumar and Gurbax Singh mustered 52 runs for the eighth wicket, when Gurbax Singh was caught by Arshdeep Brar at 32 runs off 29 balls with five boundaries with team’s total reading 279 for 8. Arjun Kumar was the last man to leave the stadium at 51 runs off 83 balls.

For Mohali, Lovepreet Singh was the pick of the bowlers, as he scalped four wickets giving away 43 runs. Gunjot Singh (2 for 79) was the other wicket taker for Mohali.

In reply, Mohali were at 11 for no loss in six overs at the end of the day’s play.

In the second match played in Ludhiana, Ludhiana after winning the toss posted a healthy total of 313 for all in 90.5 overs. Akhil Aggarwal 89, Gitansh Khera 47, Jashan Sidhu 46, Varun Chitkara 25 and Deepak Bansal 23 were the main scorers for Ludhiana. For Chandigarh, Gurinder Singh was the pick of the bowlers, as he scalped five wickets giving away 109 runs. Ansul Tripathi with 2 for 65 was the other wicket taker.

In reply, Chandigarh were at 9 for no loss in six overs.

In the third match between Mansa and Jalandhar, Jalandhar won the toss and amassed an astounding score of 627 for 6 in 95 overs. Taruwar Kohli 269, Robin Singh, 141, Abhishek Gupta 118 and Love Kumar 29, Himanshu Sharma 35 were the main scorers. For Mansa, Aman Bharti was the only bowler who impressed with his bowling figure of 4 for 173.

In the fourth match played in Amritsar, Amritsar were bowled out for 152 in 61.4 overs, when they had opted to bat after winning the toss. Amandeep Bawa 52 off 128 balls, Mohit Handa 25 off 26 balls and Charanjit Singh 23 off 34 balls were the main scorers for Amritsar. Mohit Mohindra 3 for 22, Amrinder Singh 3 for 35, Robin Dhillon 2 for 27 and Rajwinder Golu 2 for 38 shared the spoils for Patiala.

Patiala were at 88 for 2 in 31 overs at the close of play with opener Kunwar Raina remaining unbeaten (54 off 78 balls) inclusive off 8 boundaries and a six. He was involved in a 51-run opening stand with Kunwar Raina before being run out by Charanjit singh for 18.

Brief scores:

Kapurthala (first innings): 285 for all out in 93.4 overs (Rohit Jassal (81), Rahul Bloria (56), Arjun Kumar (51), Gurbax Singh (32)

Lovepreet Singh 4 for 43 and Gunjot Singh 2 for 79.