Bathinda, September 24
Having been established in the cancer capital of the state here, the Central University of Punjab (CUP) would specialize in cancer genomics by starting various courses for basic research about causes of the disease, its treatment and prevention.

Vice chancellor of the CUP, Prof.Jairup Singh told this correspondent today that the courses related to research in cancer will be started during the coming session.

He said that among these courses were genetic diseases and molecular medicine and chemical and pharmaceutical sciences. The already established centre for environmental science and technology would also look into the environmental aspects in spread of cancer particularly in the Malwa region.

The centre for chemical and pharmaceutical science would study the possible agents causing cancer and also prevention and treatment of the disease.

Jairup Singh said that the CUP in this regard was in touch with the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) whose team visited the campus last week.

He said that the other courses that would be introduced by the CUP in the next session were M.Phil—Ph.D integrated programmes in social studies, computational sciences, M.Tech—Ph.D in integrated programme in computer science and technology, M.Arch. in green architecture and landscape design and L.L.M—Ph.D in integrated programme in environmental law. M.Phil—Ph.D integrated programmes in biosciences, comprative literature, environmental science and technology and south and central Asian studies have already been started.

He said that his stress was on breaking the barriers between science and humanity for the overall development of students. It has been made compulsory for every student of science to study one course in humanity and vice versa. Computer knowledge has also been made compulsory.

Jairup Singh said that the book exhibition organized on the campus this morning was aimed at equipping the library with books before the students were admitted for the new courses. More than 46 leading publishers of the country were participating in the exhibition.

Bathinda, September 24
Farmers thronged the regional station of the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) here, the venue of the regional Kisan Mela organised by the PAU today. ‘Conserve natural resources for prosperity of all’ was the theme of the event.

A man demonstrates a cultivator during the Kisan Mela in Bathinda on Friday. Photo by writer

PAU vice-chancellor Dr MS Kang inaugurated the fair while Bhai Narinder Singh, member, PAU Board of Management, presided over.

Addressing the farmers, Kang said these fairs provide the scientists with an opportunity to interact with farmers and help them in sorting their farming-related problems.

About the theme of the Kisan Mela, he said the fair aimed at educating farmers on conservation of natural resources.

Urging farmers not to burn the crop residue, he said burning of a tonne of paddy straw wasted six kg of nitrogen, one kg of phosphorus and 12 kg of potash, adding that by burning 1.5 lakh tonnes of paddy straw, nutrients worth Rs 200 crore got wasted every year. A law was being introduced by the government to discourage the practice, he said.

Bhai Narinder Singh urged farmers to follow the advice of the PAU scientists and keep a constant touch with them.

In his welcome address, director of the Extension Education and chief organiser of the fair Dr MS Gill said the Kisan Melas were organised to quickly transfer new farm technologies to farmers.

Dr SS Gosal, Director (Research), while highlighting the research achievements of the university, said focus was being laid on developing technologies that conserve resources and were cost-effective too.

Meanwhile, experts of the PAU addressed the queries of the farmers. Prizes were given to the winners of farming-related competitions.

Director, Regional Station, Bathinda, Dr GS Buttar proposed the vote of thanks.

Bathinda, September 24
In contrast to the previous Kisan Melas organised by the PAU, this time, a majority of farmers were seen to be more interested in stalls selling products for domestic purposes rather than those selling agricultural tools or providing guidance and information related to agriculture.

Booking counters of an automobile company and a noted real estate developer firm recorded a good number of visitors.

Meanwhile, hundreds of farmers, who had come to buy seeds, left the Mela venue expressing resentment against the PAU authorities. They rued that a number of beneficial varieties of seeds were not offered for sale this time.

Besides, some farmers were seen arguing with those manning the seeds sale counter for winding up early.

Speaking to this correspondent, farmers accused the PAU authorities of selling seeds in an unplanned manner. They said if there was scarcity of seeds, these could have been given in less quantities so as to benefit the maximum number of farmers.

However, director of the regional station, PAU, GS Buttar said the demand was higher than the availaibity of seeds, so it was not possible to meet the aspirations of each visitor. He claimed the whole quantity of seeds that was received for the purpose was sold on a first come, first served basis.

Bathinda, September 24
The body of constable Rashpal Singh of Chathe Wala village, who was allegedly murdered by his in-laws’ family, was recovered from a canal in Anoopgarh (Rajasthan), about 250 km from here, today.

After the board of doctors conducted the post-mortem examination there, the police brought the body to Bathinda and handed it over to the bereaved kin, who cremated it.

Giving details, in-charge of the CIA staff Rajinder Kumar said the constable was killed on September 8 by five persons, including four of his in-laws’ family. After murder, the accused threw the body in the Gang Canal near Sammewali village in Muktsar district.

He added that three of the accused were arrested. — TNS

Ferozepur, September 24
A doctor of the local Civil Hospital Vanita Bhullar was allegedly abused by Gurjant Singh, assistant sub-inspector, Punjab police, in the presence of her subordinates in the 
hospital premises on August 30, this year.

Though she lodged two separate complaints against the police official with the district police chief and SHO, police station, concerned, on the same day, the authorities concerned took 25 days to register a case against that cop.

Official sources said the police registered a case against Gurjant Singh as a section of doctors of the Civil Hospital, who met Deputy Commissioner KK Yadav, on Thursday, threatened to go on strike, if justice was denied to Bhullar.

“I am still in shock because of the insult without any fault. Besides, no one from the police authorities deemed it fit to take an action against the guilty official in the past about four weeks despite the fact that he had misbehaved with a class I woman officer,” pointed out Bhullar.

She added that even her husband, Lt. Col. Jatinder Pal Singh Bhullar had to intervene in the matter as he met the district police chief in connection with her grievances.

“Gurjant Singh came to her, while she was on duty, to inquire about the name of the doctor, who was supposed to conduct the post-mortem on that day. The moment, she was going through the roster register, Gurjant started shouting at her,” she said.

On being asked to behave properly, Gurjant Singh abused her in front of the hospital staff. “I immediately moved a complaint against Gurjant Singh but no one from the police department came to me to inquire about the problem,” she said.

Official sources said a case under section 509 of the IPC was registered against Gurjant at the city police station. However, Gurjant, when contacted, denied all the allegations.

Ferozepur, September 24
Jaspal Singh, district and sessions judge, today sentenced Gursewak Singh and Jagsir, both brothers, to death after holding them guilty of murdering their real uncle Baldev Singh and his son Kuldeep Singh in 2007. A fine of Rs one lakh has also been imposed on the convicts.

Information revealed that both Gursewak Singh and Jagsir Singh had brutally murdered Baldev Singh and his son Kuldeep Singh while they were at work in their fields in village Kundal falling under Abohar Sadar police station. The accused had a dispute with the deceased over the share of canal water for irrigating their respective fields.

The accused attacked the deceased with a sharp-edged agricultural implement (Kahi) used for digging the soil and killed them on the spot and fled. An FIR in this connection was registered at the Sadar police station under sections 302 and 34 of the IPC. Both the accused, who were arrested by cops later, were facing trial in sessions court for the past three years.They had been sent to jail after the death sentence was awarded to them.

Abohar, September 24
Representatives of different NGOs led by veteran social activist Jagdish Juneja paid tributes to Major Surinder Prasad VrC, who laid down his life while leading his battalion in a fierce war against Pakistan in the Khemkaran sector this day in 1965.

Among those who offered flower petals at the samadhi and lighted candles later at the memorial of the war hero near Sahitya Sadan were Nirmala Devi, sister of the martyr and civil surgeon DP Godara along with other relatives. They appreciated the efforts made by the Fellows Club in developing a park at the samadhi of Major Prasad. — OC

Ferozepur, September 24
A student of class X, a resident of village Kailash of this district, was allegedly raped and subsequently murdered by Sukhpal Singh, a boy of the same village on September 19. Mohinder Kaur, mother of Sukhpal Singh, was allegedly involved in the crime.

Police sources said the accused threw the body into Sirhind feeder canal. The body was found floating in the canal near village Moran Wali Pakhi and was later identified by the kin of the deceased.

Kuldeep Singh, SHO, Ghal Khurd, said a case had been registered under section 302, 376, 201 and 34 of IPC against both the accused. — TNS