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Blast in house kills six
Books, Films on Sikh Religion |
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Malaysian police seeks proof of KLF activities
Kuala Lumpur, August 7 The Malaysian police has asked authorities in Punjab to provide intelligence data to back claims that the Khalistan Liberation Force had set up base in the country, contending that their investigations had failed to show that such groups were active here.
Centre’s timely action could have prevented devastation
Water level rises in Bhakra reservoir
Beant case: CBI probe officer deposes in HC
Cong pseudo-secularist party, says Punj
Job potential programme launched in 25 govt colleges
` 129 crore cleared for Patiala, Sangrur
PTU gets awards
Recharge wells must in Patiala
Industrial units raided
Women’s club celebrates Teej
Novel way to identify place of drowning
ASI
to restore Pothimala building
Two get life term for murder
Daughter-in-law gives poison to family, 1 dead
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Blast in house kills six
Bathinda, August 7
Several others are suspected to be buried under the debris as rescue operations were on till the filing of this report around 8 pm. The blast was so powerful that the house was completely blown apart and a number of nearby located buildings also got damaged. The blast was heard even at a distance of hundreds of metres away. Within a few moments, hundreds of people gathered at the spot and launched rescue operations.
According to residents of the locality, the blast was so powerful that two women were thrown out of the house and rescue volunteers found them lying dead. Later, three more bodies were recovered from the debris. As per information, three families were living in the house, of whom two were tenants. The house belonged to Nachchatar Singh, who also sustained severe injuries. Before the police, fire brigade and medical team officials could reach the spot, volunteers of the Sahara Jan Seva and Noujwan Welfare Society rushed them to the Civil Hospital, where doctors confirmed their death. Later, rescue volunteers recovered two legs and an operation was on to locate the dismembered bodies. |
Books, Films on Sikh Religion
Amritsar, August 7 “The SGPC has been asked to constitute a censor board. Any book, published material and films related to the Sikhism, history and culture will have to be subjected to examination by the board before their release. This is being to done to avoid any controversies in the future,” said Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh. The five Sikh high priests, led by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh, have also asked the SGPC to divide Punjab into three regions-Majha, Malwa and Doaba-to spread message of Sikh Gurus and that of “Gurbani” in a better way. The Dharam Parchar Committee of the SGPC will distribute published material like books on the Sikh religion among Sikhs through Akhand Kirtani Jatha head Baldev Singh and other Sikh religious preachers. The three regions, according to Giani Gurbachan Singh, will also have SGPC-operated missions on lines of the similar institutions operating in Jammu. “The Sikh high priests will also visit these regions from time to time,” said Giani Gurbachan Singh. The idea to set-up an SGPC-operated “censor board” came up for discussion among the Sikh high priests after a recent controversy of the publication of two books “Gian Sarovar”- an encyclopedia for primary classes in Punjab-and “Balu De Wal”. SAD (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Maan had raised objections over the books following which Director-General (School Education) Krishan Kumar had tendered an apology. The Akal Takht Jathedar had accepted the apology and had asked the Sikh sangat to consider the issue “as closed”. |
Malaysian police seeks proof of KLF activities
Kuala Lumpur, August 7 Federal Special Task Force (Operations and Counter Terrorism) department director Comm Mohamed Fuzi Harun said their Indian counterparts should provide them with identities of the suspected KLF members believed to be based here. “Checks on our side showed there are no KLF or similar groups active here or any arrests made on such members,” Comm Fuzi said yesterday. Last month, media reports had quoted the Punjab police as claiming that KLF militants could be hiding and canvassing support in ethnic mix Malaysia where a sizeable population of Malaysian Indian Sikhs live. Following this Home Minister Hishammuddin Husseine said his country was working with Interpol and the Indian authorities to check on the activities of the Khalistan Liberation Force. Information on the KLF base in Malaysia was reportedly obtained following the arrest of a suspected militant at a guesthouse in Patiala. According to reports, findings by Indian police revealed that he fled to Malaysia where he sought shelter from another wanted KLF militant who had been residing in Seremban for about a year. — PTI |
Centre’s timely action could have prevented devastation
Jalandhar, August 7 The Ghaggar, a non-perennial inter-state river originates from the Shivalik Hills and flows into Punjab after passing through some part of Haryana. The Punjab Government had prepared a project for the canalisation of the river to protect the areas devastated by it often during the monsoon in the Patiala-Sangrur-Mansa belt. Under the phase-1 of the project, embankments measuring 22.45 km from Khanuri to Makror Sahib (near Moonak) were constructed following an approval by the Ghaggar Standing Committee. Under the second phase, embankments were to be constructed in the remaining 17.55 km from Makror Sahib to Karail village, adjacent to Jakhal. The Central Water Commission (CWC) had appraised the second phase, but was pending for an approval of the Ghaggar Standing Committee. A meeting in this regard was called in April 2009. Haryana raised an objection and did not agree to the second phase. Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal wrote to the Prime Minister in June 2009, drawing his attention towards the negative stand taken by Haryana on the issue of the second phase while it had said yes to the first phase of the project. The second phase was the extension of the first phase. Badal informed the Prime Minister that in case the second phase was not constructed, it could create bottlenecks in the work done on the phase 1. Badal told the PM that Haryana did not extend any rationale while opposing the second phase. Badal had also urged the Centre to intervene to sort out the matter between the two states and also to direct Haryana to raise similar embankments on the river in its area. Suresh Kuman, who was Principal Secretary, Irrigation and Power, Punjab, in March last year also wrote a letter in this regard to CWC chairman AK Bajaj. The then Chief Secretary of Punjab, Ramesh Inder Singh, also wrote a similar demi official letter to UN Panjiar, who was then Secretary to the Union Ministry of Water Resources. In December 2009, new Chief Secretary SC Aggarwal wrote to Union Cabinet Secretary KM Chandrashekhar in this regard. However, the Centre did nothing to resolve the issue and the Ghaggar devastated a large part of the Patiala-Sangrur and Mansa belt recently - only a few days after the onset of the monsoon. Both Punjab and Haryana suffered a massive loss of life and property. |
Water level rises in Bhakra reservoir
Nangal, August 7 The water level was 1637.24 feet today with an inflow of 1,03,893 cusecs, making it the highest inflow figure for this season. The water discharge from the reservoir was 29, 912 cusecs. Of these 12,500 cusecs were released into Nangal hydel and 10,150 cusecs in Anandpur Sahib hydel channel. In routine, 300 cusecs of water is discharged in the Sutlej and this number swell to 7,300 cusecs today. In the next few days, the discharge in the Sutlej will increase gradually. Last year, the same day, the water level was 1583.7 feet, with water inflow of 60,240 cusecs and discharge of 20,124 cusecs. |
Beant case: CBI probe officer deposes in HC
Chandigarh, August 7 The memories of the ghastly act came banging back when the CBI told the Division Bench of Justice Mehtab Singh Gill and Justice Arvind Kumar that the intensity of the blast could be gauged from the fact that windowpanes up to sixth floor of Punjab and Haryana civil secretariats were shattered. Four burnt cars and a Gypsy greeted CBI investigating officer S.N. Saxena when he reached the spot a day after the blast. The explosion had taken place in front of the Punjab civil secretariat on August 31, 1995. RDX, stuffed in a belt, was used by human bomb Dilawar Singh to trigger off the blast. Convicts Jagtar Singh Hawara and Balwant Singh face the gallows. Three other convicts, Shamsher Singh, Gurmeet Singh and Lakhwinder Singh, have been sentenced to life imprisonment. As the appeals filed by the assassin and other convicts, through senior advocate Baldev Singh, came up for hearing before the Division Bench, CBI counsels SK Saxena and RK Handa said ballistic reports confirmed the blast was not triggered from a car. The examination by ballistic expert Roor Singh too found a detailed mention in the hearing when the CBI read out his statement to say “most parts” of human bomb Dilawar Singh’s body were blown apart in the explosion. He said some of the remaining parts of his body, lying there, could have been washed away in the blood. The CBI will now continue with its arguments before the Bench on Monday.
Blast site cordoned off a day later
CBI investigating officer S.N. Saxena’s deposition in the Beant Singh assassination case indicates that the site of the blast was not cordoned off by the Chandigarh Police after the blast. It was barricaded only the next day by Saxena. His statement, read out by the CBI before Justice Gill’s Bench, says he reached the place of occurrence on September 1, 1995, and got the area cordoned off |
Cong pseudo-secularist party, says Punj
Pathankot, August 7 On day one, the proceedings were attended by party big wigs, including MP Navjot Sidhu and former Punjab in charge and Rajya Sabha MP Balbir Punj. Dissensions were clearly visible on the opening day with senior party leader and Health Minister Laxmi Kanta Chawla ploughing a lonely furrow by sitting in the last row. She was not adjusted on the dais although many junior leaders could be seen rubbing shoulders with their senior colleagues on the stage. Chawla’s bete noire and Batala MLA Jagdish Sahni was conspicuous by Punj delivered a fiery speech in which he castigated some non-BJP ruled states, including Kerala and West Bengal. The Rajya Sabha MP said the Congress was a ‘pseudo-secularist’ party and added that the latest events in Kashmir and other parts of the country had proved this beyond doubt. Punj also gave the example of Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen who, he claimed, was denied Indian citizenship following pressure mounted by Islamic organisations. “Women clad in burqas in Kashmir have come out in the open by pelting armed forces with stones. People in J&K are tired of having security forces on their doorsteps and, indirectly, they are helping separatists. This has proved that the Congress government at the Centre had failed to defend people of the Kashmir valley.” Prominent among those who attended the function were Local Bodies Minister Manoranjan Kalia, Transport Minister Master Mohan Lal, Forest Minister Tikshan Sud, General Secretary National BJP JP Nadda, Sujanpur MLA Davinder Babbu and Vice-Chairman of the State Planning Board Rajinder Bhandari. |
Job potential programme launched in 25 govt colleges
Chandigarh, August 7 P-Toss was launched in 2006 by the Department of Higher Education in collaboration with Punjab Infotech. The programme aimed to train students in computers, communication skills, personality development etc. Though the programme took off well in the first year, it was suspended last year when it was noticed that very few students were opting for the computer courses as they either found the programme too expensive or useless. “Now we have launched a better programme. P-STEPS is aimed at not merely training students in software skills but also at imparting skills that increase the scope of employment for these students especially in the service industry,” said Rakesh Verma, MD, Punjab Infotech. He added that P-STEPS had been launched initially in 25 government colleges across Punjab where the computer labs were ready and functioning and in case the programme succeeded, it would be replicated in the rest of the 30 colleges. The programme is being implemented by Punjab Infotech through three private companies working in this field. “After a rigorous process, we have shortlisted Hero Mindmine, IndiaCan and IL&FS Education to impart the course,” said Verma. The companies would employ their own staff and run these from the computer labs. “All the government colleges in the state have been divided among these three companies and wherever the infrastructure is readily available, the courses would be offered,” said Verma. The P-STEP course will be for the third-year students and last three and a half months. |
129 crore cleared for Patiala, Sangrur
Chandigarh, August 7 Presiding over separate meetings of the MLAs to review the progress of the ongoing development works, Badal approved Rs 51.70 crore for all assembly constituencies of Patiala and Rs 47.70 crore in Sangrur district. A sum of Rs 37.66 crore and Rs 43 crore will be spent on the construction and repair of link roads, latrines and civil works in the government schools in the rural areas of Patiala and Sangrur districts. |
PTU gets awards
Chandigarh, August 7 Stating this here today, a spokesman of the Chief Minister's Office said the PTU had been conferred these prestigious awards for its various initiatives in both the categories. The Chief Minister lauded the PTU team for this achievement. |
Recharge wells must in Patiala
Patiala, August 7 Municipal Commissioner MS Narang said this order had been passed for those houses that were yet to be constructed. He said the building plans of these houses would be passed only if it included recharge wells. He said the orders had also been issued to all multiplexes, government buildings and other large buildings to construct these wells within a month. |
Industrial units raided
Patiala, August 7 Three PPCB teams, led by chief environmental engineers, raided Malwa Processing House, Machhiwara, and SEL Manufacturing Company, Rahon. However, the firms were found complying with the pollution-control norms and effluent treatment plants were operational at these units. The raids on the industrial units continued till Friday. Two teams, one headed by PPCB member secretary Dr Babu Ram and the other by PPCB Chief Environmental Engineer Pawan Garg raided Malwa Processing House. “The ETP of the industry was found operational and treated water was being used for irrigation within their premises. Though the visiting teams found some pipeline going outside the premises, they were dry. No effluent was found in nearby Iraq Rakh drain,” stated PPCB Deputy Director (PR) Dr Charanjit Singh. The third team, led by Chief Environmental Engineer DK Dau, raided SEL Manufacturing Company, and found that the ETP there was working, but some minor parts needed certain repairs. |
Women’s club celebrates Teej
Patiala, August 7 Addressing a gathering of women, president of the club Neelam Chaudhary said the PSPCL was playing a significant role in promoting Punjabi culture. She said Teej festival gave a chance to women to have a get-together. Participants attired in traditional outfits performed folk dances of Punjab and presented songs. |
Novel way to identify place of drowning
Patiala, August 7 The research was undertaken by research scholar Rajwinder under the guidance of head of the department Mukesh Thakkar three years ago, and now, it has been put to use in various laboratories and medical colleges. The basic aid used in the process is a diatomological map that has been made after detailed study of all major water bodies of the state. Water samples were taken from Harike Patan, Sukhna Lake, Chandigarh, Rajindra Lake, Patiala, Bathinda Power Plant and other major rivers, wells and ponds for study purpose. “We have identified 10 water bodies and studied the diatom found in them for two years. Now that the map is made, the water body in which the incident occurred could be identified by studying the diatom found in the bone marrow of the dead body,” Rajwinder said. Thakkar said, “We have studied all water bodies in every season so as to ensure that there is no mistake in identifying the exact source.” |
ASI to
restore Pothimala building Guru Harsahai (Ferozepur), August 7 “We will send a conservation note first before preparing an estimate of funds needed for preserving Pothimala and its murals, which have developed huge cracks,” said Sharma, adding that the Prime Minister Office (PMO) had been taking interest in the restoration and preservation of this antique and historical treasure for the posterity. “To declare it a national monument or not is the prerogative of the Centre. As per the history of the building and structures, it is worth a national monument,” he claimed, adding that the work of restoration and preservation could be completed in two years. A team of the ASI, which had carried out a survey of this building a few months ago, had recommended the restoration and preservation of the same. The Centre has now initiated action on the basis of its report, which was later sent to the PMO. “Pothimala -‘pothi’ (holy book) and ‘mala’ (rosary)- belonging to Guru Nanak Dev, is lying in this building built by Guru Jiwan Mal in 1705, who was a descendant of the fourth Sikh Guru, Guru Ram Das, and was revered as Guru by a large number of people belonging to the Sodhi clan at that time. At presently, Haresh Singh Sodhi is the owner of the estate, but he has given Gurgaddi (seat of guruship) to his son Yuvraj Singh Sodhi. Haresh said the Centre had sent a team of the ASI in 1980 to preserve Pothimala, which was not done for reasons best known to the authorities. The building was in a deplorable state and and if it was not preserved now, a monument of an international importance would disappear one day. Local MLA Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi, who made efforts to involve the Prime Minister for its conservation, said murals present in Pothimala was the best example of secularism, which existed in India centuries ago. Such murals were found rare in other parts of the country, he added. |
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Two get life term for murder
Sangrur August 7 According to the prosecution, the accused Bhagwan married Jaswinder Kaur nearly 14 years ago. Differences between the couple cropped up six years ago, as Bhagwan was addicted to liquor and he sold a piece of land to which Jaswinder Kaur objected. Due to these sore relations, she started living with her parents about four years ago. Jaswinder Kaur then filed cases against her husband in different courts claiming maintenance and to prevent her husband from selling more land. On August 25, 2007, when she along with her mother Karnail Kaur were in the court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Sarabjit Singh Dhaliwal to attend hearing in a case for maintenance, they were attacked by Bhagwan and his accomplice Kala in the court. Jaswinder and her mother were rushed to the Sangrur Civil Hospital, where Jaswinder succumbed to her injuries. But she recorded her statement to the police before death. |
Daughter-in-law gives poison to family, 1 dead
Changali Kadim (Ferozepur), August 7 Jeet Kaur, wife of Jagtar Singh, paternal uncle of her husband Sukhchain Singh was found dead due to poisoning on her cot this morning. The other members of the joint family, including Sukhchain Singh, his mother, Gurmeet Kaur, his sister Veerpal Kaur, paternal uncles Avtar Singh and Jagtar Singh, were battling for their lives in Ferozepur Civil Hospital. Sukhdeep, who belongs to a village near Attari in Amritsar district, got married to Sukhchain about five years ago and they were blessed with a son. All the five members of the family were shifted to the Ferozepur Civil Hospital by other residents of the village when they came to know about the incident. A case under Sections 302 and 307, IPC, has been registered in the police station, Kulgadi, against Sukhdeep. Sukhdeep has taken away Rs 1.65 lakh in cash, gold and clothes and her four-year-old son along with her. Police sources said though Amrik Singh, father-in-law of Sukhdeep, who luckily did not take food last night as he had consumed liquor, had not levelled any allegation connected with her elopement with her paramour, it is learnt that Sukhdeep had an affair with a youth living in the Zira area. The sources added that remains of all the food items, which were consumed by the victims last night, had been taken into possession and would be sent to a laboratory for examination. Baldev Arora, senior medical officer (SMO), Civil Hospital, Ferozepur, said that all the five patients were responding to treatment. Sarbjit Singh, SHO, police station, Kulgadi, said the body of Jeet Kaur had been sent to the Civil Hospital for postmortem. The case was registered on the statement of Amrik Singh, father of Sukhchain Singh. |
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