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Tribune News Service

Dera Bassi, August 31
Five more encroachments were removed near the national highway by the municipal council here yesterday. These encroachments are being removed following the high court orders under the Punjab Municipal Act, 1911.

Nearly 43 encroachments were identified and notices issued to persons concerned few days back and nearly 13 encroachments had been removed till now. Executive officer of the MC Sarbjit Singh said all encroachments would be removed in the coming days.

Chandigarh, August 31
Additional District and Sessions Judge GC Garg today recorded the statements of two cops in the high-profile highway robbery case.The prosecution gave up the statement of inspector Amanjot Singh of the crime branch, who was also a witness in the case.

Deposing in court, sub-inspectors Nirmal Singh and Harminder Singh got their statements recorded.

Meanwhile, cop Sita Ram, against whom bailable warrants were issued on the last hearing for not appearing in court, came to court today. The court adjourned the matter to September 4.

Lalit Behl, a businessman of Sector 33, had stated that he was coming from the Delhi airport in his Honda Civic car after returning from the Philippines when he was kidnapped by four persons in the wee hours on May 27, 2009.

He had told the cops that he was heading on the GT Road when he, along with his driver, was held hostage near Shahbad Markanda.

The driver was taken hostage at gunpoint and the accused took control of the car, following which the accused reached his house at Sector 33.

They kept his family hostage for over two hours-and-a-half, ransacked the house and took away over Rs 20 lakh.

Panchkula, August 31
The flying squad of the Chief Minister and the CID men caught hold of a 12-member gang, which was illegally transferring gas from one cylinder to another in Alipur village, near Barwala, today.

According to information, the regular complaints were being received about the underweight gas cylinders being supplied to the domestic consumers in the Barwala block. The accused were illegally transferring gas from one cylinder to another and selling it in the black market.

On a tip off, the flying squad and CID men followed the truck laden with filled gas cylinders being taken to a godown in the area around 4.30 am. After the cylinders were being loaded in the auto-rickshaws the accused started transferring the gas.

The accused were surprised when the raiding team disclosed their identity and unsuccessfully tried to flee from the spot.

During investigation the accused revealed that they used to take 2-3 kg gas from a filled cylinder and prepare 20-25 gas cylinders every day.

They used to sell these cylinders to dhabas, restaurants and other needy customers at a higher price. Seven auto-rickshaw and one tractor trolley was engaged for supplying gas cylinders to consumers in the area.

The auto-rickshaw and tractor trolley made two and one trips to the godown, respectively.

The accused said they supplied the gas cylinders to those who did not have any gas connection. The accused were using the godown complex for transferring the gas using a nozzle. The involvement of the owner of the gas agency was also not ruled out and the police is investigating the case.

After receiving information, assistant food and supply officer Rajesh Bansal, accompanied by other members of the department, all reached the site.

Bansal said they had not received any complaint in this regard and added that strict action would be taken against the accused.

Zirakpur, August 31
Suman Devi (17), a class X student of Government Senior Secondary School, Sector 15, Panchkula, today got seriously injured in a road mishap that took place on the Zirakpur-Kalka highway near Panchkula barrier.

The victim’s father, Manoj Kumar, said his daughter was on her way to home from school on her cycle.

When she reached near the barrier a scooter coming from the wrong side rammed into the cycle. The girl lost her balance and fell as a truck coming from behind ran over her right hand.

The investigating officer stated that the right hand of the victim got crushed badly and was rushed to the PGI, Chandigarh. However, the two-wheeler rider fled away from the spot after the incident. The police also impounded the truck.

Chandigarh, August 31
Local outfit New Public School will take on mighty Mohun Bagan Academy in the inaugural match of the 8th All-India Administrator’s Challenge Cup Football Tournament (Under-17) that kicks off at the football stadium, Sector 17, tomorrow.

In the 10-day tournament, being organised by the Chandigarh Sports Department, 18 teams will vie for top honours.

Chandigarh sports director M L Sharma said the teams had been divided into four groups.

Group A: Indian Tigers (Mumbai), Mahindra and Mahindra (Mumbai), Gorkha Training Centre (Shillong), DAV School Football Academy (Chandigarh) and Rohit Football Academy (Orissa).

Group B: Mizoram SSA, Steadfast (Mumbai), Mahilpur Football Academy and Haryana Football Association.

Group C: Mohun Bagan Academy (Kolkata), Orissa Football Association, New Public School (Chandigarh) and Rurka Kalan Football Academy (Punjab).

Group D: Indian Football Association (Kolkata), Paldi Football Academy (Punjab), Madhya Pradesh Football Association, Dalbir Football Academy (Patiala) and Himachal Football Association.

Sharma said the matches would be supervised by qualified referees of the All-India Football Federation.

To check the menace of overage players, a medical committee had been formed to determine the age of suspect players. The medical teams with supporting staff would be deputed at the Sector-17 stadium as well as the football ground in Sector 42.

Under the AIFF rules, all participating teams have to undergo medical examination before the start of the tournament.

Sharma added that free board and lodging and transport service would be provided to the teams by the administration.

Besides the trophies, the Chandigarh administration would also give a cash prize of Rs 50,000 to the winners and Rs 25,000 to the runners-up.

Chandigarh, August 31
HP Cluster emerged champions in the girls’ under-19 section after beating Punjab I Cluster, while Punjab-2 defeated HP Cluster in the finals of the boys’ group to lift the trophy in the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Regional Basketball Meet at JNV, Sector 25, here today.

Around 150 students of clusters Punjab-1 & 2, Jammu &Kashmir-2 and Himachal Pradesh participated in the tow-day meet.

Chief guest SK Sharma, Deputy Commissioner, Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, Chandigarh, handed over prizes to the winners and runners-up.

Students of JNV presented a cultural programme at the closing ceremony.

Final results: Under-19 girls: HP Cluster b Punjab-I; under-19 boys: Punjab-2 b HP Cluster; under-17 girls: HP Cluster b Punjab-I; under-17 boys: HP Cluster b Punjab-1 Cluster.

Chandigarh, August 31
Host Saupin’s School, Sector 32, continued with their winning spree as they beat Ryan International School, Sector 49, by five wickets in the Inter-School Saupin’s Gold Cup under-14 Cricket Tournament at Banyan Tree School ground here today.

Batting first, Ryan could muster a paltry 83 runs in 17 overs. Their batting line-up was ripped apart by medium-pacer Shubham Sood, who returned with figures of five for 21. Kartik was the highest scorer with 22 runs, being closely followed by Harmandeep, who made 19 runs, while Yashpal chipped in with 17 runs. Chasing the target, Saupin’s School scored 84 runs in 17.5 overs to win the match by five wickets.

In the second match between Stepping Stones and YPS, Mohali, the former scored 98 runs after losing eight wickets in 20 overs.

In reply, the YPS could manage only 63 for eight in 20 overs, losing the match by 35 runs.

Brief scores: First match: Ryan International School: 83 all out in 17 overs (Kartik 22, Harmandeep 19, Yashwinder 17; Shubham 5 for 21, Nipun 3 for 14, Prithvi Lohtiya 2 for 16).

Saupin’s: 84 for 5 in 17.5 overs (Parvesh Sharma 26, Swapnil 20, Nipun 11; Kartik 2 for 12, Kunal 2 for 12).

Second match: Stepping Stones: 98 for 8 in 20 overs (Yogesh 19, Gurpreet 10; Jaskaran 2 for 11, Tushaar 2 for 16, Arbaaz 2 for 9).

YPS: 63 for 8 in 20 overs (Jaskaran 14 n.o, Prabhsimran 11, Bikram 12; Dikshant 2 for 9, Rishab Kawtra 2 for 10).

Tomorrow’s fixtures: The first match will be played between Mount Carmel and Ryan International School at 8.30 am while the second match will be played between YPS, Mohali, and Ajit Karam International School, Sector-31, at 11 am at BTS-48 ground. 

Chandigarh, August 31
LIC Cricket Club, Sector 26, lifted the Kailash Bahl Trophy by beating Government Senior Secondary School, Sector 56, Club by 18 runs in the final of the Chandigarh State Women Cricket Championship (U-16) for The Kailash Bahl Trophy at IS Dev Samaj Senior Secondary School, Sector 21, here today.

Batting first, LIC club scored 116 runs for the loss of five wickets in the stipulated 20 overs.

Manisha played a vital role in building up the innings with her 73 runs. Sonia took three wickets conceding four runs, while Reena claimed two wickets.

In reply, GMSSS-56 Club were skittled out for 98 runs in 18.2 overs. Kavita made 29 runs, while Mala, Sony and Manisha shared two wickets each for LIC club.

Manisha was adjudged the woman of the match, while Reena of GMSSS-56 Club was adjudged the best bowler of the tournament.

Chief guest PK Sharma, DPI (schools), distributed the prizes among winners.

Chandigarh, August 31
Ashok Kumar of Delhi fired an eagle on the 13th to share the lead with Noida’s Gaurav Pratap Singh and Feroz Ali Mollah of Kolkata at four-under 68 on the opening day of the Rs 25-lakh PGTI Players’ Championship at the Chandigarh Golf Club here today.

Just one stroke behind the leading trio were Harendra P Gupta of Chandigarh and Chennai’s Sandeep Syal, both carding 69.

A seven-time winner on the Aircel-PGTI Tour, Ashok Kumar birdied the fourth to be one under 35 at the turn. He bogeyed the 12th and then executed a 340-yard drive to sink an eagle on the 13th. Birdies on the 16th and 17th saw him finish the day at four under 68.

Ashok who has never won in Chandigarh said: “I have been beaten in a few playoffs at this venue but I want to make up with a win this time. I am recovering from a wrist injury that kept me out of action for three months.”

Twentysix-year-old Gaurav Pratap Singh fired five birdies, conceding only one bogey. He saved a par on the 16th to be on top of the leaderboard.

Feroz Ali Mollah came back with a flawless three under 33 back nine to complete the threesome on top of the leaderboard. Feroz is a former Indian Open champion but is yet to win on the Aircel-PGTI Tour.

Harendra Gupta who has had only one top-10 finish this season took the turn today at even par 36. But then followed a bogey-free back nine with three birdies as the Chandigarh golfer finished tied fourth along with Sandeep Syal, just one stroke behind the joint leaders.

Another city golfer Ajeetesh Sandhu fired seven birdies, including four in a row on the 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th. But then he double-bogeyed the 10th and dropped shots on the third, 12th and 17th to finish at two under 70. He is tied sixth along with Mukesh Kumar, Raju Ali Mollah and Shankar Das.

Seasoned Harmeet Kahlon of the city came back with a hat-trick of birdies at the fag-end to finish at one under 71 to occupy the tied 10th slot.

One of the tournament favourites, Rahil Gangjee is tied 15th with an even par 72 card. Sujjan Singh of Chandigarh, who is ranked fourth in the PGTI order of merit, carded a five over 77 card and lies tied 70th on the leaderboard.

Scores (after first round): 68 Ashok Kumar, Gaurav Pratap Singh and Feroz Ali Mollah; 69 Harendra P Gupta and Sandeep Syal; 70 Shankar Das, Raju Ali Mollah, Ajeetesh Sandhu and Mukesh Kumar; 71 Shaurya Singh, Harmeet Kahlon, Ramesh Kumar, Sanjay Kumar and Nur Hossain Sardar; 72 Arshdeep Tiwana, AS Lehal, R Srinivas, Mandeo Singh Pathania, Digvijay Singh, Naman Dawar, Randhir Singh Ghotra, Vinod Kumar, Rahil Gangjee, Shamim Khan, Mohd Nawab and R Murthy.

Chandigarh, August 31
Do not be surprised the next time you are approached by an English-speaking porter at the railway stations in New Delhi and other major tourist spots across the region, as the Railways has launched a unique initiative to hone their English-speaking capabilities ahead of the Commonwealth Games.

Talking to the TNS over phone from Delhi today, Ashwini Lohani, deputy regional manager (DRM), Delhi division, said: “Porters need to be taught etiquette as they have to handle foreign travellers at railway stations. Education is the right step to instill confidence in this category of workers. They should also be taught not to overcharge rail passengers.”

“Coolies are the first point of contact for outsiders. We want every visitor to go back with a friendly image of the city and other tourist destinations in the region,” he added.

During their two-hour-a-day, fortnight-long training, the porters will be taught five English sentences every day. Each porter will then teach two colleagues.

The training sessions have modules on conversation in English and Hindi and key features of customer care in the travel and tourism industry.

“The training will include soft skills and courtesy to passengers. The porters will provide foreign and domestic visitors with information on places of tourist interest, taxi fares, the way to the games venues and the like. We are also looking at changing their red uniform to something more aesthetic,” Lohani added.

Besides, month-long practical sessions will be held at stations with officials supervising the porters in their interaction with tourists.

Initially, the Railways had approached the Indian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) for imparting the training, but the matter did not move forward.

The Railways wants to present a good first impression about Delhi and the region through porters’ behaviour. “Well-behaved porters armed with extra, useful information and guidance about the city will be of great help to tourists,” he said.

Northern Railway is also coming up with a booklet for porters regarding behaviour with tourists and helping newcomers in Delhi and those visiting other regional tourist destinations.

The booklet, whose draft is ready, contains information that will be handy for tourists and also have important contact numbers, said the DRM.

“We will be ready with the booklet by September-end. Before that, the porter-training sessions will continue,” he said.

Similarly, the government is planning to launch a training programme in the first week of September for taxi and auto drivers. It will include lessons in personal grooming, courtesy and hygiene and, of course, English for the CWG.

Panchkula, August 31
Akshit Mahajan won the men’s singles title, whereas Jyoti Nachier claimed top honours in the women’s singles category in the 5th Ashwani Memorial District Badminton Championship that concluded at Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex, Sector 3, here today.

While Jyoti had an easy going against Jagriti, who lost 16-21, 12-21, Mahajan’s opponent Deepak Khatri strove hard before giving up 21-14, 16-21, 21-18.

For Manswani, it was a double delight, as she won two titles in under-10 singles and under-13 singles sections. In both events, she beat Chavi.

Panchkula Deputy Commissioner Ashima Garg distributed the prizes to medal winners.

Final results: Girls’ under-10 (singles): Manswani b Chavi 21-12, 21-16.

Boys’ under-10 (singles): Vardaan b Anusharf 21-17,21-16.

Girls’ under-13 (singles): Manswani b Chavi 21-18,21-15.

Boys’ under-13 (singles): Kartik b Hardik 21-15,21-19.

Boys’ under-13 (doubles): Hardik and Kartik b Rajet and Abhishek 21-14, 21-12.

Girls’ under-16 (singles): Gayatri b Monash 21-6, 21-7.

Girls’ under-16 (doubles): Gayatri and Karashima b Sanchita and Monash 21-12,21-16.

Boys’ under-16 (singles): Aman b Shubhum 21-16,21-14.

Boys’ under-16 (doubles): Ayush and Abhijot b Aman and Shubhum 21-16, 21-17.

Women’s (singles): Jyoti b Jagriti 21-16, 21-12.

Men’s (singles): Akshit Mahajan b Deepak Khatri 21-14, 16-21, 21-18.

Master (doubles): Vivek and Munish b Jatinder Mahajan and Jatinder Mehta 21-18, 16-21, 21-15.

Veterans (doubles): Rajnish and Vinod b MP Dogra and Jatinder Mehta 21-16, 21-14.