The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

NEIGHBOURHOOD

12 shops gutted; 15 suffer burns on Divali night
Tribune News Service

Ambala, November 7
Twelve fire accidents and 15 cases of burn injuries due to fireworks-related mishaps were recorded in Ambala on Divali night. Four shops were gutted in a fire which broke out in Rai Market on Friday night. Loss worth several lakh rupees was reported. “We will be able to assess the losses later, but right now it is estimated at several lakhs of rupees,” said Anil Kumar, a shop owner.

According to sources, three shops were completely gutted in fire and the fourth adjoining automobile shop was partially burnt and also suffered losses. There were huge stocks in the shops due to festival, which were completely burnt down.

In another incident a general merchandise shop was completely damaged in a fire during late night hours and the fire also spread over to adjoining three shops in the area, of which two refreshment shops were also completely reduced to ashes.

A godown of wholesale crockery merchant at Sena Nagar and the store of Juneja Printers on the Zero Cross Road also caught fire due to crackers’ sparks. A cloth store at Topkhana Bazar was also burnt and suffered losses on the Divali night.

All patients with minor burns were treated and discharged by a team of specialist doctors deputed on emergency duty on Divali night. Also, five persons injured in minor scuffles after excessive consumption of liquor were discharged after treatment.

Polythene bags banned in Ambala
Tribune News Service

Students of Government Senior Secondary School, Ambala Cantonment, take out an anti-polythene rally. Tribune photo: Dev Dutt Sharma

Ambala, November 7
The district administration has banned the use of polythene in the district after holding a meeting with principals of various educational institutes, office-bearers of market associations and local social welfare organisations.

Deputy Commissioner Sameer Pal Srow today said that the decision was taken as the Haryana government had recently announced a ban on storage and usage of polythene bags in the state. Due to low cost, polythene bags were popular and in demand in the market.

Polythene bags had serious environment implications, including soil and water contamination, clogging of drains and sewers, he said.

A large number of students participated in a candle-lit march which was organised with the help of the district administration. The march passed through main bazaars of the cantonment in support of the ban with immediate effect.

Srow said the administration would seek the assistance of educational institutions to create awareness against the use of polythene bags. The measures taken by the district authorities would be rendered futile unless people took the initiative and pledged not to use polythene. “We have issued challan books to officials to penalise people using polythene bags,” he added.

1 killed, 4 hurt in accident
Our Correspondent

Bassi Pathana, November 7
A woman was killed and four other members of her family, including an infant, were seriously injured, when their car rammed into a tractor-trailer parked on the roadside. The injured were rushed to the local civil hospital and referred to Fortis hospital, Mohali.

The family of a Sirhind-based jeweller was returning home after paying obeisance at Mata Naina Devi temple. Vishal Sehdev, son of Shyam Sehdev, was driving the Santro car while his wife Savita Sehdev was sitting beside him. Vishal’s parents and two children were sitting on rear seat.

The tractor-trailer was parked near Mairan village on the main Chandigarh-Bassi Pathana roadside. Vishal did not notice the parked tractor-trailer due to high beam lights of vehicles coming from the opposite side and rammed the car into the trailer.

Savita (23) died on the way to hospital. Vishal, his parents and one of the children suffered serious injuries. The body was handed over to the relatives after the postmortem.

BJP rallies on Nov 10
Tribune News Service

Ambala, November 7
The BJP national spokesman, Tarun Vijay, has expressed concern over the vulnerability of border areas. Talking to the media here today, he alleged that the UPA government was trying to “ruin” Hindu organisations.

He said the party would be organising district-level rallies on November 10 against the Congress-led Central government due to its “anti-RSS” and “anti-Hindu” politics.

“Senior leaders of the UPA government are unlawfully associating RSS with terrorism and accusing its volunteers of various bomb attacks,” Tarun Vijay alleged.

CRIME

Youths attack couple, hurl stones at cops
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 7
Tension prevailed in Mauli Jagran here this afternoon when a group of youths attacked a couple in the colony and also hurled stones at a police party that reached there after getting information of violence. Additional police force was called to take control of the situation.

No policeman was injured in the attack. Residents staged a protest at the police post in the area, condemning police inaction which they claimed was encouraging lawlessness in the area. They alleged that hooligans from nearby Rajiv Colony, Panchkula, had been creating ruckus in the locality.

Sources said hooligans from Rajiv Colony, armed with swords, batons and sharp-edged weapons, attacked Kulwinder Singh and his wife Veena. The couple was injured and the police was informed about the incident. When a police party reached the spot, the assailants started hurling stones at police personnel.

Additional police force was called and police teams from various police stations were sent to the area. Seeing the police teams, the accused fled the spot.

The police has registered a case of rioting, attempt to murder, criminal intimidation and causing injuries against Sonu, Ranjit, Ajit, Satpal, Ashu, Munna and others. The police said efforts were on to nab the accused.

Robbery ‘victim’ booked for drunk driving
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 7
The police has arrested Joginder Singh, a shopkeeper who had last night accused two motorcyclists of robbing him of over Rs 1.5 lakh, on a charge of drunk driving. The police has also arrested the youth who assaulted the shopkeeper.

The in charge of the Sector 22 police post said the allegations were inquired into and the angle of the robbery was not established. The shopkeeper admitted that he had a clash with the motorcyclists.

“As he was drunk and driving a scooter, he was booked under Section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act after a medical examination confirmed that he was drunk. We also traced the motorcyclist who assaulted him. The accused has been identified as Kamal Verma of Sector 40. He was booked under Sections 107 and 151 of the Criminal Procedure Code,” the police post in charge said.

Murder
Auto-rickshaw driver detained
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 7
The police today rounded up an auto-rickshaw driver, Ram Kewal, in connection with the murder of Vijay Shaker Diwedi, another auto-rickshaw driver, near Panjab University yesterday.

Sources said the police had found a nameplate with “Ram Kewal” inscribed on it from the crime scene. The police picked up Ram Kewal from the railway station and was interrogating him till the filing of the report.

According to sources, Ram Kewal had denying his involvement in the killing. He told the police that he had lost his nameplate two months ago and had no idea how it reached the crime scene.

The police is yet to ascertain the motive behind the killing. “We are working on several theories in the absence of any clear motive behind the murder. It could be the handiwork of some robbers, or drug-addicts of the nearby area. We also cannot rule out some old enmity behind the killing,” said inspector Sukhbir Rana, SHO of the police station-11.

Body of woman found in Ghaggar
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, November 7
The body of an unidentified woman was recovered by the police in the Ghaggar near Sector 27 and 28 here this morning.

Thousands of jhuggi dwellers of the nearby labour colonies had gathered near the site where the body was found. The police also reached the site and took the body into custody.

The police said the deceased, who was in her mid-30s, was kept in the mortuary of general hospital, Sector 6, for the postmortem to be conducted tomorrow. The police said the woman appeared to be a migrant labourer either from Uttar Pradesh or Bihar and added that there were no injury marks on the body. The investigations in the case were on.

SPORTS

Panchkula skaters on a roll
Akash Ghai
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 7
There was a time when skaters from the Karnal and Panipat area used to overshadow other skaters of Haryana during various meets. The scenario has now changed with Panchkula skaters emerging as a force to be reckoned with.

A number of achievements at state and national levels by local skaters in the span of just two years corroborates the fact that the town has emerged as a nursery for skaters in the state.

The prodigy

It was a shot in the arm for Panchkula’s skaters when 12-year-old Sirjana Dhaliwal of Rolling Tigers Academy was selected for the National Child Award for her achievements in the game. This young skater has so far participated in six national tournaments and won 127 medals.
The award, which carries a cash prize of Rs 10,000, a silver medal and a certificate, will be given to her by President Pratibha Patil at a function in Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi, on November 14. Sirjana is a student of St Xavier’s School, Sector 44, Chandigarh.

Many skaters from the district have been shining at various national skating championships.

Two local skaters — Vikram Partaap and Vidushi Rawat — emerged national champions in different events of the CBSE National Championship held at Kolhapur recently.

In the same tournament, Sudhanshu Jain won a bronze medal. The other two skaters — Gaurav Bishnoi and Chhavi Bishnoi — had made it to the national tournament at Nagpur.

In Haryana State School Games held at Karnal this year, local skaters Shubham Aggarwal, Anuj Sud, Adhiraaj Kundlas and Aryan Pal Singh Ghumman cornered glory by winning top honours in different events. A total of 15 districts had participated in the meet.

Besides, 14 players from Rolling Tigers Academy at Manav Mangal School, Sector 11, have been selected for the forthcoming school national championship and CBSE national games. Priyanka of Bhavan Vidyalya, another promising skater, will also be part of the squad at the forthcoming CBSE national games.

Chander Singhal, former national-level skater and coach of Rolling Tigers Academy, said schools in Panchkula have been playing a key role in promoting the sport.

“In Panchkula, almost every school has included skating as regular activity,” said Singhal, adding that around 3,000 skaters were active in the sport at different schools.

“At least 500 skaters used to take professional training at different evening skating academies like DC Model School, Sector 7; Bhavan Vidyalya School, Sector 15; Blue Bird School, Sector 16; Hans Raj Public School, Sector 6; St Xavier’s, Sector 20; and The Gurukul, Sector 20. In these academies, only serious skaters come and practise. Healthy and tough competition among these academies is the reason behind Panchkula producing a good number of top skaters,” said Singhal.

Singhal admitted that two years ago, Panchkula was nowhere on the speed-skating circuit. “But now the scenario has changed and even skaters from Mohali and Chandigarh come daily for practise in Panchkula,” he added.

A professional player needed at least three hours of rigorous training, which included road and rink session, he said. The main advantage of the game was that even a four-year-old child could join and take part in competitions.

Bedi XI lift cricket trophy
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 7
Bedi XI lifted the champions trophy after beating PCC by 31 runs in the final match of the First S Balwan Singh Memorial Cricket Tournament 2010-11 that concluded at Government Senior Secondary School, Sector 27, here today.

Batting first, Bedi XI mustered 162 for 6 in 20 overs with the help of 40-run knock by Amrinder Singh. Vikram was another notable batsman, who chipped in with 29 runs.

For the PCC, Gurharminder and Nikki Rathi claimed two wickets each for 18 and 22 runs, respectively.

In reply, the PCC could put on 132 for eight in the stipulated overs. Harpreet ripped apart the batting line-up of the PCC with his 4 for 16.

Only Gurharminder, who was later awarded the best batsman title, played a defiant knock of 40 runs.

Amarinder Singh was declared man of the match.

Brief score: Bedi XI: 162 for 6 in 20 overs (Amrinder Singh 40, Vikram 29; Nikki Rathi 2 for 22, Gurharminder 2 for 18).

PCC: 132 for 8 in 20 overs (Gurharminder 40; Harpreet 4 for 16).

Inter-Corporate Employees Cup
DELL-11, Godrej & Boyce impress in opening ties
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, November 7
DELL-11 beat HDFC Bank by 30 runs in the opening match of the First Champions Trophy Inter-Corporate Employees Cup League Cricket Tournament, organised by Cricket Federation of Haryana. at Cricket Stadium, Sector 3, here today.

After winning the toss, Dell -11 elected to bat first. The innings witnessed a valuable partnership of 72 runs between Harman (38) and Amit Singh (32), which guided the team to a total of 164 runs in the allotted 20 overs.

Rajat emerged as the highest scorer for the team with his 41-run knock, while Varinder Singh contributed 29 runs to the total.

For the HDFC, Gurinder Saini, Balwar Pooni and Vipan Chouhan shared two wickets each.

In reply, HDFC Bank too got off to a solid start, as Gurinder Saini (38) and Charanjit Singh (30) produced a 68-run opening stand.

But after their departure, none of the batsmen could stay at the crease and the team gave up at 134 for seven in 20 overs.

Harman claimed three for 22, followed by Varinder Singh, who took two for 21.

Brief scores:

DELL-11: 164 for six in 20 overs (Rajat 41, Harman 38, Amit Singh 32, Varinder Singh 29; Gurinder Saini 2 for 25, Balwar Pooni 2 for 28, Vipan Chauhan 2 for 12).

HDFC Bank: 134 for seven in 20 overs (Gurinder Saini 38, Charanjit Singh 30, Gaurav Tondon 25; Harman 3 for 22, Varinder Singh 2 for 21).

In another match of the day at the same venue, Godrej and Boyce registered a 20-run victory over Weizman Forex Limited team.

Godrej and Boyce-11 scored 195 for eight in 25 overs and restricted their rivals at 175 for nine in the allotted quota of overs. Openers Amarjit Kumar (32) and Jai Kapila (32) gave good start to Godrej and Boyce-11 with their 58-run partnership in just eight overs.

Taking advantage, Kulwinder Romi (62) and Inder Jit Saini (54) also stitched a 90-run partnership in 74 balls to strengthen the team’s position. For Weizman Forex Limited, Amrit Pal Singh displayed a good show with the ball as he returned with figures of four for 26.

In reply, Weizman Forex Limited batsmen, including Sunil Sharma (45), Gurjit Singh ( 32) and Ranjit Gill (27), tried hard to overhaul the target.

But Godrej’s bowlers produced tight bowling spells.

Ajay Bhardwaj was the pick of the bowlers, claiming three wickets for 32 runs.

Monu Khera, Kulwinder Romi and Inderjit Saini took two wickets each.

Brief scores: Godrej and Boyce: 195 for eight in 25 overs (Kulwinder Romi 62, Inder Jit Saini 54, Amar Jit Kumar 32; Jai Kapila 26, Amritpal Singh four for 26, Amrinder Ricky two for 38, Amit Sharma two for 41).

Weizman Forex Ltd: 175 for nine in 25 overs (Sunil Sharma 45, Gurjit Singh 32, Ranjit Gill 27, Amit Sharma 21; Ajay Bhardwaj three for 32, Monu Khera two for 29, Inder Jit Saini two for 32, Kulwinder Romi two for 22).