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Illegal arms factory unearthed in Moga
Bajwa submits own list for state party posts to Sonia
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HC comes to the aid of rape victim, her child
159 rural medical officers to be recruited
Addicts sharing needles biggest hurdle in curbing AIDS
Ban on Loudspeakers
BSF (Punjab Frontier) wins trophy
‘Knee arthritis assuming alarming proportions’
Amritsar Improvement Trust case
Old couple murdered
Adulterated desi ghee seized
10 arrested for stealing transformers
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Illegal arms factory unearthed in Moga
Moga, November 30 The SSP, Sneh Deep Sharma, while talking to The Tribune said this was one of the biggest recoveries of arms in the post-militancy period. The arms were being supplied to dacoits and other criminals in the Malwa belt. He said 18 countrymade pistols of ”high quality” of various bores were recovered from the abandoned house along with three other pistols in parts that were yet to be assembled by the arrested persons. Some ammunition had also been recovered, he said. Those arrested have been identified as Gurdeep Singh Dhaliwal, resident of Kothe Guru village near Bhagta Bhai in Bathinda district, and Nirmal Singh Nimma of Dala village. They would be produced before a local court on Wednesday. While confirming that the arms factory had been found at the abandoned house, he said the arrested persons were in no way connected to the former militant. The former militant was killed in an encounter in 1992 in Ludhiana district. The arrested men were running the illegal sale of arms in an organised
way. They had sold 10 pistols to anti-social elements in the past few weeks, the SSP said. When some mediapersons visited the house there seemed to be nothing which could indicate that the accused were running a factory to manufacture weapons. There were no signs to show that someone lived in that house. The courtyard of the house was full of bushes and scrub. The rooms were locked with windows open. The rooms and washroom were full of filth without any facility of potable water and power supply. A villager said the house had been lying abandoned for over 15 years. The wife and children of the former militant were also killed and their bodies were not recovered. At present the parents of the former militant lived in the US.
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Bajwa submits own list for state party posts to Sonia
Chandigarh, November 30 Bajwa has submitted an eight-member list to Sonia Gandhi comprising party leaders from the Majha and Doaba regions of the state, indicating he represents both regions though his roots are in the Majha belt. Though Amarinder Singh’s appeal is statewide, he is more known for his influence in the
Malwa region. The submission of the separate region-specific list by Bajwa indicates that he is still to settle issues with Amarinder Singh. When questioned why he had shot off a list to Sonia Gandhi, the MP said: “If he (Amarinder) had taken me into confidence I would have sent the
list to him”. While claiming that he was still to meet the new Pradesh Congress chief, Bajwa said the Majha and Doaba regions would be crucial for the party in the Assembly elections in 14 months’ time. He claimed the party had lost ground in the Malwa region in the parliamentary elections held one and a half years ago. The MP said the SAD-BJP government had also concentrated on the Malwa region during its present tenure and that the Congress should focus on the Majha and Doaba regions, from which it had lost heavily in the last Assembly elections, if it was to bounce back in the state. Bajwa said he on his part had submitted a list of party leaders, including Amarinder supporters, who could give the best possible fight to the SAD-BJP combine. Bajwa again differed on Amarinder Singh’s stance on not allowing entry to former Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal into the Congress. He said Manpreet Badal could have taken on the ruling Badal family. The MP said the party needed to keep an eye on Manpreet Badal who he claimed was targeting the youth and the intelligentsia. “We have to present a united face or they may be attracted to Manpreet”, he added. Meanwhile, the other serious contender for the state Congress chief’s post along with Bajwa ---- Jagmeet Singh Brar--- today also claimed that he had neither talked to nor met Amarinder Singh since the latter took over as state party head. Amarinder Singh has since held meetings with Congress Legislature Party leader Rajinder Kaur Bhattal and former state President Mohinder Singh Kaypee, both of whom had campaigned against his nomination as party chief. Jagmeet claimed that he, too, would be meeting the party high command tomorrow and could give suggestions on the formation of the new organisational structure. When questioned about the need for unity in the Pradesh Congress, he said the party would give a united fight to the SAD-BJP combine. He, however, admitted that a lot would depend on what kind of balance was struck by the party high command among senior leaders, indicating there may be another round of lobbying for slots in the party state organisation.
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HC comes to the aid of rape victim, her child
Chandigarh, November 30 Justice Surya Kant has not only directed the state of Punjab through the Chief Secretary to pay her interim relief of Rs 10 lakh, but has also directed the constitution of an expert committee to suggest suitable compensation for the victim after taking into account multiple needs. Social activist Vina Sharma and advocate Tanu Bedi have been asked to lend their valuable time for the social and pious cause. The state has been granted the liberty to recover at least 50 per cent of the interim compensation from the accused boy and his father. Justice Surya Kant asserted the plight of the petitioner, burdened with the responsibility of motherhood at a tender age, could only be imagined and not expressed. The records indicated she belonged to the poor section of society. Even as state counsel Anupinder Singh Grewal argued the boy and his father were men of means, Justice Surya Kant observed both society and the state were under a legal, social and moral burden to extend a helping hand to the victim and ensure she was in a position to lead a dignified life, notwithstanding the social scar. Issuing the orders in open court, Justice Surya Kant asserted to minimise her miseries, it was the court’s duty to ensure she was provided suitable monetary assistance at least to liberate her from financial dependence on her father and family. Going into the background of the matter, Justice Surya Kant observed the victim was born in March 1986 and was below 17 when she was left pregnant. The accused in the case, Kulwinder Singh, was convicted and sentenced to seven years by the Ludhiana Additional District and Sessions Judge on February 25, 2004, under Section 376 of the IPC. Justice Surya Kant observed the petition seeking compensation was pending since 2007, and the boy, after the completion of the actual sentence, had been released from jail.
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159 rural medical officers to be recruited
Ludhiana, November 30 Meanwhile, an assurance given by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal regarding the revision of pay packages and regularisation of services at a recent meeting convened with RMOs in Chandigarh has brought cheers in the camp of doctors working under zila parishads. Rural Medical Services Association (RMSA) president Dr Aslam Parvez has accredited state Minister for Rural Development and Panchayats Ranjit Singh Brahmpura for his efforts to put an end to the exodus of doctors from rural areas to Australia, the US, England, Canada and other Indian states. However, contrary to the said promises made by the CM, Deputy CM and Brahmpura, the advertisement points at a pay package of Rs 27,500 per month and a three-year contract for RMOs. The Directorate of the Rural Development and Panchayats has instructed the Additional Deputy Commissioners (Development) in every district to put up details of the recruitment on the notice boards outside their respective offices. The last date for the submission of applications is December 12 while merit lists will be finalised on December 13. Counselling will be done on December 14 and the selected RMOs will sign their contracts on
December 16.
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Addicts sharing needles biggest hurdle in curbing AIDS TODAY IS World AIDS Day
Jalandhar, November 30 This means that over 26 out of every 100 IDUs are positive for HIV in the state and the prevalence rate is highest in the country. As per latest estimates, there are around 23,000 IDUs in the state. This figure is extremely high if compared with the prevalence of disease in other risk groups, including female sex workers (0.97 per cent), and homosexuals (3.1 per cent).“As far as prevalence rate of AIDS among IDUs is concerned, the state has even crossed Manipur, which, till now, is worst- ridden state in this context,” said Dr NM Sharma, Additional State Project Director, PSACS. Admitting that the increase in the HIV estimates was primarily due to the increased HIV prevalence among IDUs, he said the high risk groups of IDUs had already become their focus area and would remain so in the coming years. Regarding the efforts made by the government to bring down the disease rate among IDUs, he said oral substitute therapy (OST) centres had been set up in five districts, which were aimed at shifting drug addicts from injectable to oral alternatives. However, experts feel that besides OST centres, other innovative methods could be introduced to bring the disease rate down. “The government should enforce upon chemists to give syringes with every injection they sell. This would minimise the chances of needle sharing. Rather, it is one of the major reason the government is providing high subsidy on syringes,” said Dr Amar Singh Azad, in charge, anti-retroviral therapy (ART) centre, Government Medical College, Patiala. Dr CS Walia, former civil surgeon, Jalandhar, opined that a free needle exchange programme could be introduced to bring down the practice of needle sharing among IDUs.
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Today is World AIDS Day
Morinda/Anandpur Sahib, November 30 Start talking to him and he rolls up his pant showing his leg pockmarked with syringes, boils and marks. "I am an example for other IV drug users to shun the abuse or at least use new needle and syringe every time they pierce themselves," he says. Harpreet is among nine peer educators working under the Ambuja Cement Foundation's targeted intervention project for IV drug users. Around 400 IV drug users in the age group of 18 to 35 years are enrolled with the centre. Working with the Punjab State AIDS Control Society, the centre works for the prevention of spread of AIDS in IV drug users. There are 40 drug users who visit the centre daily to get free supply of syringes and needles. While IV drug users and their peer educators are trying to find a new lease of life, HIV/AIDS-inflicted women at Anandpur Sahib are making both ends meet working at a paper-recycling unit. These women earn Rs 1,500 to 2,000 per month by making diaries and file covers at the unit. "We have five women enrolled at this centre and all of them are widows. Our basic aim is to help these women live a dignified life and earn bread and butter for their families," says Ambuja Cement Foundation's programme manager Sanjeev Sharma. Ambuja has set up this unit at a cost of Rs 11 lakh at a local gurdwara with the help of the gurdwara management. Foundation officials feel that they can do much better if society reciprocates to their zeal of rehabilitating people living with HIV.
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Ban on Loudspeakers
Patiala, November 30 In the wake of the noise pollution on account of usage of loudspeakers till midnight at several marriage palaces, the Patiala residents have urged the DM to initiate action against all marriage palaces, violating the orders issued by him. Notably, as per the DM’s orders, no one will beat a drum, blow a trumpet and use any sound amplifier at night (between 10 pm and 6 am), except in public emergencies. However, in gross violation of the said orders, music at high pitch is being played at a marriage palace located on Bhupindra Road, Rajpura Road, Sirhind Road and Nabha Road. “Not only, marriage palaces, people organise functions in the municipal parks and loudspeakers, which continues to create nuisance till midnight. It is really surprising that the administration is not taking any action against those flouting the DM’s orders,” said Harjeet Singh, a resident of Bhupindra road. Expressing similar views, a housewife Sangeeta Sharma said, “Functions are being held frequently, during which DJ music systems are played at a high volume till midnight. Even at times, the function continues till 2 am and we have to face lot of difficulty on account of the music being played at high volume.” “The studies of the students are adversely affected and people suffering from health problems too have to bear the brunt of the loudspeakers,” said Jatinder Saluja and Ramanjit Singh, both residents of Sirhind Road The residents also pointed out that every year during the wedding season, the usage of loudspeakers after 10 pm continued but the district administration hardly bothered to enforce the orders of the DM. “Not only marriage palaces, the loudspeakers start blaring at wee hours in religious institutions also. This practice should be checked and corrective measures should be taken,” demanded residents of New Rajpura Colony, where two temples and a gurdwara are situated. Dipinder Singh said, “The administration is doing its duty and taking cognisance of the matter, notice has already been issued to the most prestigious club of Patiala - Rajindra Gymkhana and Mahendra Club Ltd.” “Administration has received several complaints against the club that music at high-pitch volume is being played at the club after 10 pm. In case, any further complaint is received, the club will be closed,” reads the notice issued to the management of the club. The DM further said marriage palace owners of the Patiala had also been conveyed that in case any marriage palace was found violating the directions, no notice would be issued and the marriage palace would be locked on the spot.
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BSF (Punjab Frontier) wins trophy
Jalandhar, November 30 It has been awarded this trophy for its best operational matters, security measures, domination strategies, border management and administration. “The BSF (Punjab Frontier) has been adjudged the best in making apprehensions, security infrastructure, killings of anti-national elements, seizures of drugs and fake Indian currency, relations with border population and welfare measures for BSF personnel,” said Gill. Apart from this, the performance of the Punjab Frontier in sports events and training aspects of BSF jawans were also taken into consideration. As many as 20 BSF frontiers from across the country competed for the best border management trophy. Earlier, the BSF (Punjab Frontier) had received this trophy in 2008. “We will celebrate the BSF Day along with this achievement at the BSF Headquarters in Jalandhar on December 2 or 3,” Gill added.
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Unusual tortoise caught at Hari Ke
Hari Ke (Ferozepur), November 30 Earlier, on December 22, 2007, a dolphin was spotted at the Hari Ke wetland for the first time. This tortoise, which is about one ft long and 10 inches wide, has 13 humps and all humps have flower-shaped figures. It has been kept in a water tank in the sanctuary and is being taken care of by officials of the department. The weight of the tortoise is about 3 kg. District Wildlife Officer (Ferozepur) Sanjeev Tiwari said only after the examination, it could be known whether it belonged to
the class of rare or normal animals.
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‘Knee arthritis assuming alarming proportions’
Patiala, November 30 Dr Gill said, “Knee arthritis is assuming alarming proportions in India with around 15 million people being affected by it. With life expectancy increasing, the populace affected by arthritis of knee joint has increased a lot.”
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Amritsar Improvement Trust case
Mohali, November 30 While Capt Amarinder Singh was granted exemption from personal appearance, Jagjit Singh in his application stated that the matter of the state satisfying whether the investigation on the basis of some material had resulted in unconstitutional resolution that was coming up before the Supreme Court. A total of 16 persons, including Amarinder Singh and former Minister for Local Government Chaudhri Jagjit Singh, had been named in the chargesheet filed by the vigilance in the Amritsar Improvement Trust land exemption scam. The bureau had registered the case in September 2008 following a report of the committee of the Vidhan Sabha that had indicted several persons, including Amarinder Singh and Jagjit Singh, for having caused a loss of about Rs 130 crore to the state.
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Old couple murdered
Sangrur, November 30 The deceased were identified as Bant Singh (75) of Moranwali village, near Sunam, and his wife Pritam Kaur (70). They were at present staying at this room. The couple was sleeping in the room at the workshop last night. However, it could not be established yet whether they were murdered during the sleep. The murders came to light when the son of the deceased came to the workshop this morning and found the bodies of his parents there. He immediately informed the police, who reached the spot and started investigations. Sangrur SSP Harcharan Singh Bhullar, SP (D) Pritpal Singh Thind and Sunam DSP Jaskiranjit Singh also reached the spot. SP (D) Thind said it seemed that the murders had not been committed with the intention of loot as about Rs 4,500 was found in the pocket of deceased Bant Singh. Thind said the deceased were brutally murdered as the accused, it seemed, had used iron rod for killing them by hitting on their heads. Some documents had also been found lying near the bodies.
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Adulterated desi ghee seized
Sangrur, November 30 Varun has been arrested while Satish managed to flee. He said 321 boxes (1 kg each) of adulterated desi ghee, a half bottle of chemical (that gives fragrance of desi ghee), and half consumed two tins one each of refined and dalda ghee had also been seized. An FIR has been registered in this regard at the city police station,
Sunam. — TNS
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10 arrested for stealing transformers
Fatehgarh Sahib, November 30 The police said the accused had admitted to commit 250 thefts during the past two years. They are facing 24 theft cases in various police stations of Fatehgarh Sahib besides many theft cases, in other districts as well. They admitted to have stolen as many as 50 transformers only from Fatehgarh Sahib during the past one-and-half-year. Accused have been identified as kingpin Prem Chand, alias Lambu, a resident of Ludhiana, Prem Singh of Nandpur village in Bassi Pathana in Fatehgarh Sahib, Ram Khilari of Koomkalan village in Ludhiana, Sukhdev Singh of Raikot, Dara, Satpal, Kalu, Saajan, Ravi and Dodi all residents of Khanna. Police officials said two of their unidentified accomplices were still at large and would be arrested soon. One-quintal copper worth Rs 3.75 lakh and transformers worth Rs 4 lakh had been recovered from their possession.
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