Ludhiana, September 4
It’s not even been a month since the septuagenarian French scholar painted his address on the wall outside his house near Model Town market to keep encroachers at bay, some unidentified men blackened the area where he had painted the address and tried to trespass into his property last night.

Their attempt, however, was unsuccessful as one of the neighbours Charanjit Singh raised the alarm.

Charanjit narrated the entire incident to Jathaul, who stays at Mani Majra, reached here this morning and met DCP Yurinder Singh. Jathaul even filed a complaint with the police for the protection of his property.

The repeated incidents of grabbing the multi-crore ancestral property belonging to Surinder Jathaul, 76, who retired as head of the French department at Panjab University, Chandigarh, highlights the plight of the common man, who is suffering at the hands of land mafia.

Ever since the land prices have shown an upward trend, Surinder is struggling to safeguard his ancestral property measuring 400 square yards.

This was not the first attempt, earlier, the miscreants had tried to take possession of the land by taking advantage of holidays.

Similarly, on August 15, another national holiday, the miscreants broke open the lock of Jathaul's house and put their own lock, claiming them to be the owners.

Subsequently, Jathaul arrived at the house and put a new lock. Jathaul even painted the walls of his house and stated that the property was not for sale.

Exasperated septuagenarian scholar said: "It’s a sin to have a house in the prime location. Every month some miscreants trouble me and they even tried to and threaten me."

Mandi Ahmedgarh, September 4
The police was on toes to prevent any clash between two factions of the village panchayat at Chhappar village where the historic rural fair is scheduled after a fortnight.

Auction of the panchayat land for establishment of temporary vends during the fair has been reported to be reason behind the tension.

The civic body might face legal complications, too, as the same land has been auctioned twice to different bidders.

Interestingly, village sarpanch Gurmel Singh, who had won the election with the support of the SAD and has recently joined the Congress, chaired the auctioning committee in both the cases.

Investigation revealed that the right of auction of common land belonging to the Gram panchayat at Chhapar village had become bone of contention for factions of panches led by the SAD and the Congress.

Sources revealed that five out of nine office-bearers of the gram panchayat, led by sarpanch Gurmel Singh had announced to rent out the panchayat land to Baldev Singh of Barnala on September 1.

The bidder had reportedly deposited Rs 5.5 lakh with the auctioning committee on the spot.

Though the process of the auction had been completed peacefully, sarpanch Gurmel Singh got annoyed when the panches supporting him and other SAD leaders insisted that the amount should not be handed over to him and must be deposited in some private account.

The amount would be used for the development of the villages, suggested the panches.

Though the bidder was not issued any receipt for the payment, the amount received from him was reportedly deposited in account of one of the panches.

Feeling offended Gurmel announced to join the Congress the next day. He along with the support of other four panches declared the earlier auction null and void and announced to organise another auction at the mela site today.

Hardyal Singh, former sarpanch of the village, was rented out the same land for Rs 4.15.

Sensing threat to peace, DSP Jasdev Singh visited the mela site and deputed SHO Jodhan Inderjit Singh to keep a watch over the situation following dispute over genuineness of both the auctions.

Acknowledging tension over the issue, the SHO said both the warring groups had been asked to arrive at amicable solution.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, September 4
Row over control of the Truck Operator's Union at Jandali concluded with continuation of the chair by Himmat Singh Jandali who defeated his rival Balwinder Singh, from the USA, by 20 votes in the election held on Friday.

The issue had become a bone of contention between two factions of the SAD, as both were claiming support of Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, secretary general of the party.

Investigations revealed that Rajesh Nehra, executive magistrate, was deputed to hold the election to the post of president of the union through secret ballet. All 268 members cast their vote, with 145 voting in favour of Himmat Singh.

The investigations revealed that two factions of the SAD were at loggerheads over the control of the union.

Supporters of Himmat Singh Jandali, a confidant of Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, were on their heels to enable Jandali retain control of the organisation. On the other hand, supporters of Balwinder Singh, an NRI, had been impressing upon the administration to hold the election to the post through a secret ballot.

Sources in the party said Dhindsa, who did not want to offend any of the factions, had been trying to evade embarrassment by bridging the gap between them.

However, both groups remained adamant on the issue. It is learnt that Dhindsa had asked both the groups to test their strength in the election.

Ahmedgarh Market Committee chairman Amrik Singh Jandali is also supporting Balwinder Singh. The election to the president's post has remained a burning issue among activists and leaders of the party.

Ludhiana, September 4
Manjit Singh (unit no C7260144), a 15-year-old boy, diagnosed with hemophilia-A, was brought to Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) here after he fell down. His X-ray revealed fracture of the neck of femur bone requiring urgent surgery.

As he has haemophillia, he also needs factor VIII support during surgery otherwise he will bleed excessively, which will further lead to major complications.

The CMCH is providing factor VIII worth Rs 1 lakh, but the remaining cost of the surgery and medications will cost between Rs 40,000 and 50,000. Manjit’s family is not financially sound and needs financial help.

Those interested to help this poor and needy patient may contact the medical superintendent, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, or call up Clinical Haematology Office at (0161-5037957).

Those who wish to help Manjit can send their cheques or demand drafts, made in favour of “CMC, Ludhiana Society” with "treatment of Master Manjit Singh" written on the back of the bank cheque or draft to Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, 141008. All assistance will be acknowledged.

Ludhiana, September 4
The Rotary Club of Ludhiana (North) planted more than 100 saplings in a tree plantation campaign carried out today at Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana.

More than 100 saplings were donated and planted by the club in various areas of the campus.

Dr Abraham Thomas, director, CMCH, who was the chief guest on the occasion lauded the efforts of the club for this noble deed and thanked all the members.

Thomas further stated that planting of saplings would add to greenery and grandeur of the CMC campus.

Ludhiana, September 4
For teachers of the Vocational Rehabilitation Training Centre (VRTC) located in Kitchlu Nagar, everyday is a Teacher’s Day, as imparting education to visually impaired and physically challenged children has become a mission for them.

Established by late Dr EM Johnson in 1964, the school is currently providing education to over 100 physically challenged and visually impaired students.

Currently there are 25 workers, who are visually impaired, including seven teachers.

Sara Johnson, wife of Dr EM Johnson, who had taken over the reins in 2005 following the death of her husband said he always wanted to servesociety.

He was the head of eye research project and orthopaedics rehabilitation project of Christian Medical College and Hospital, which gave treatment to soldiers, who lost their limbs during war. It was during that time, he thought of launching a school and helping differently abled children, said Sara.

The centre was initially run in CMC for nearly 10 years and later it was shifted to Kitchlu Nagar in 1976, as a full-fledged rehabilitation centre.

The VRTC is currently providing rehabilitation and resettlement services to thevisually impaired and differently abled children.

“We are preparing them to face all kind of challenges posed by the outside world and provide them vocational guidance and training,” said Sara.

Besides candle making, the children are being provided other kind of skilled training so that they could earn a living and live an independent life.

Sara further said, “We have seven teachers, who are visually impaired and three teachers who are physically challenged. The children work in close coordination with the teachers and share their feelings.”

Lal Singh Thakur, who was teaching Brail, to the visually impaired students for over a decade now said, “It is not easy to teach visually impaired students. I face the same problem and I realised what kind of pain and anxiety the students undergo before they start understating the language.”

Sara Johnson further said, “The disability of the teachers infuse courage in the students and they feel that if the teachers being disabled could lead an independent life, they can also do the same.”

It was a special day for the teachers of VRTC, as nearly 100 visually and physically challenged students sang song for themand celebrated the Teacher’s Day.

Ludhiana, September 4
To commemorate the anniversary of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), a free dental check-up camp for students of Government Primary School at Dugri village, Ludhiana, was organised here yesterday.

A team of doctors comprising Dr Pawan Arora, Dr Ashish and Dr Mokha, along with supporting staff from Baba Jaswant Singh Dental College and Hospital examined more than 375 schoolchildren.

Jai Kumari, headmistress, along with the teaching faculty extended their full cooperation for making the dental check-up and awareness camp a success. Free medicines, including tonics and supplements, were distributed to all students by LIC.

A meeting of all students and teaching staff was also held at the conclusion of the dental camp, in which Dr Pawan Arora, in charge of the team of dental experts, delivered a lecture on dental awareness and oral hygiene.

The parents and teaching staff of the school appreciated the efforts of LIC for creating health awareness among the children.

Samrala, September 4
A woman of Himmat Nagar allegedly committed suicide under mysterious circumstances by hanging herself from a fan. According to sources, Chandni (22), wife of migrant labourer, was seen hanging by her family members.

They broke open the door and took her to the Samrala Civil Hospital, where she was declared dead.

Victim’s father said that she was often assaulted by her in-laws for dowry.

Their marriage was solemnized in 2006. In 2009 a quarrel had erupted in the family and a complaint was lodged with a women cell at Delhi by his family members.

Later, a mutual compromise was reached and her husband and other family members took her to Samrala with the promise that they would not beat her for dowry. Yesterday they beat her at their house and later she committed suicide, he added.

The matter came to light late last evening. A case was registered under Section 304 of the IPC against her husband Chander Shekher and her father-in-law Ram Babu.

The body was handed over to victim’s father, who would take the body to Delhi for cremation, the sources said.

Ludhiana, September 4
With the arrest of eight persons, the city police claimed to have busted two gangs of thieves who were behind repeated snatching and theft incidents. The police has recovered gold ornaments, mobile phones and cash from the possession of the accused.

According to ACP Naginder Rana, the Division No 3 police busted a gang of thieves and recovered 13 mobile phones from their possession.

The thieves, identified as Bablu Kumar and Parminder Kumar, both from Uttar Pradesh, were nabbed by the city police from Kashmir Nagar near the Tajpur road.

The duo had stolen 13 mobile phones from El-zen Tele shop located near Shringar Cinema on August 2.

SHO Raj Kumar said the duo was recently released after spending six months in jail in connection of a theft case.

In the second case, the Daresi police busted a gang of snatchers and arrested six accused in this connection.

The accused have been identified as Rajan Kumar, Anil Kumar, Bawa Sharma, Rajvir, alias Munna, Sahil Mehra and Surjit Singh.

Beside cash, the police recovered jewellery and mobile phones from the possession of the accused.

Ludhiana, September 4
Khalsa Girls Senior Secondary School, Ludhiana, recorded an easy 50-12 victory over BCM Senior Secondary School, Dugri road branch, Ludhiana, in the youth girls’ section in the fifth week matches of the inaugural edition of the Mahindra NBA Basketball Challenge League being held at Guru Nanak Stadium here today. The winners were leading 24-4 
at half time.

Jagroop Kaur of Khalsa school contributed 12 points, while Harjot netted seven points for the losers.

In another match, DAV Sports Wing, Gurdaspur, drubbed BCM Senior Secondary School, Chandigarh road branch, 47-13, in which Kulwinder Kaur scored 14 points. For BCM School, Vandana fought well with nine points.

In the third encounter, Baba Gandha Singh Public School, Sangrur, routed Doraha Public School, Doraha, 72-2.

The main contributors for Sangrur outfit were Rubalpreet Kaur and Jasdeep Kaur, who chipped in with 22 and 10 points, respectively.

In the youth boys’ section, the first match was played between the Gymkhana Club, Ludhiana, and Maharaja Ranjit Singh Public School, Phillaur, in which the former came out triumphant 59-40. The half time score sheet read 37-22 in favour of the Gymkhana Club.

Navinder scored 18 points for the winners, while Karanvir contributed 12 points for Maharaja Ranjit Singh Public School.

In the second match, Polo Ground Centre, Patiala, survived some anxious moments before romping home winners 46-40 against Guru Nanak International Public School (GNIPS), Model Town, Ludhiana.

Tarandeep and Harkaran accounted for 22 and 11 points, respectively, for Polo Ground Centre, while fight for GNIPS was led by Karamjeet and Harbir, who scored 25 and 14 points, respectively.

In another match, Individuals Registered defeated BCM Senior Secondary School, Shastri Nagar branch, Ludhiana, 53-41 after leading 27-14 at the end of the second quarter.

In the fourth match, Kundan Vidya Mandir, Ludhiana, scored an emphatic 22-2 victory over Gurdial Singh Arjun Awards Sports Club, Ludhiana.

In other matches in the youth boys’ section, Spring Dale Public School, Amritsar beat Bhartiya Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School, Kitchlu Nagar branch, Ludhiana, 55-17; Guru Harkrishan Public School, Amritsar, defeated DAV Public School, Pakhowal road branch, Ludhiana, 42-22; Government Senior Secondary School, SAI Centre, PAU, Ludhiana, trounced DPS, Ludhiana, 78-14; and Shaheed Major Kuldeep Singh Club, Ludhiana, outplayed Doraha Public School, Doraha, 48-14.