NEIGHBOURHOOD

Division status a distant dream for Ropar
Tribune News Service

Ambala, December 10
It seems that encroachment drives carried out by the MC have a little effect on shopkeepers of the area, as they have paid no heed to the repeated warnings issued by the former so far.

The police is of the view that these shopkeepers and vendors were not a major problem, as it would not take much time to remove encroachments from the markets once the date for carrying out the drive would be announced.

Sameer Pal Srow, Deputy Commissioner, Ambala, in his earlier order under Section 72 of the Haryana Police Act had directed the MC to remove encroachments in main markets, including Sadar Bazar, Rai Market, Sarafa Bazar, Subji Mandi and Nicholson road.

Superintendent of the Police Shashank Anand had asked shopkeepers and businessmen to remove encroachments by October 12 during a meeting.

Sameer Pal Srow stated that the administration was making all efforts to improve the situation. A few days back he had directed the committee staff to get the roads in the main bazaars and around the bus stand cleared.

An anti-encroachment drive was carried out at main bazars and action was taken against encroachers.

While the district administration is making efforts to improve the situation, residents are not supporting them.

Residents of Subji Mandi said encroachments had become a regular feature in the area.

Patiala, December 10
City residents travelled on their cycle to their work place yesterday, as Mayor Ajit Pal Singh Kohli and actor Kartar Cheema flagged off Avon Big Greenathon - a bicycle rally from Modern Senior Secondary School.

Riding on their bicycles, about 250 residents participated in the Greenathon organised to spread the message of green and clean environment. Avon Cycles managing director Onkar Singh Pahwa said, “It has been an overwhelming experience for me. Seeing hundreds of people coming together for this event was a delight. I thank every one who joined hands towards this cause and I hope that we all keep the promise of riding a bicycle to work at least once a week.”

Kharar, December 10
Mohammad Abbas, one of the accused who was injured in a police encounter near the Sunny Enclave area of Kharar, was shifted to the local civil hospital after being relieved from the PGI in Chandigarh today. Abbas, alias Elal Bhatt, had been undergoing treatment at the PGI after a bullet hit him during an encounter with the Gurdaspur police on December 3.

Abbas is currently undergoing treatment at the civil hospital amidst tight security.

DSP Raj Balwinder Singh Mrar said Abbas would be arrested and presented before the court as soon as he got fit to walk. Abbas’s accomplices — Vijay Topi from the Islamabad area in Amritsar; Rocky, alias Ranjit, from Tilak Nagar, Delhi; Babban from Amritsar; and Vijay’s younger brother Rohit — have been taken away by the Gurdaspur police on police remand.

Chandigarh, December 10
Taking up a petition filed in public interest by a Chandigarh-based historian for shifting the National Gallery of Portraits from its present location in Sector-17 Central Library to a popular site, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued a notice of motion to the UT administration.

The Bench of Chief Justice Mukul Mudgal and Justice Ranjan Gogoi issued the notice after hearing the petition by Malwinderjit Singh Wraich. In his petition, the petitioner asserted the existing National Gallery of Portraits, with visuals and documents on India’s struggle for freedom, was currently located in the remote basement of the Central State Library in sector-17.

It was not accessible to most of visitors due to its location. He also placed on record the data acquired from the visitor’s book of the gallery, which stated the average number of daily visitors to the museum on an average was 10.

The case will now come up for hearing on January 5.

Mohali, December 10
The local police has registered cross cases against members of two groups who allegedly clashed with each other at Naya Gaon.

The investigating officer stated that the clash took place following a dispute between landlords and tenants. The police has recorded the statements of both parties and booked 12 persons from both sides.

The officer said a case under Sections 454, 380, 458, 323, 506, 148 and 149 of the IPC was registered against Gurvinder, a resident of Forest View Enclave, Kansal, Gurdhyan, Jaswinder Kaur, Gurvinder’s wife, Gurvinder’s mother-in-law and father-in-law and other unidentified persons on the complaint of Shakti Kumar, a resident Sector 21-A, Chandigarh.

On the other hand, a case under Sections 341, 342, 323, 294, 354, 355, 382, 506, 148 and 149 of the IPC was registered against Shakti Kumar, Dalwinder Singh, Rakesh Verma, Gulashan Singh, Mandeep Singh, Harpreet and unidentified persons on the complaint of Jawinder Kaur, a resident of Sector 38, Chandigarh, the police official added.

Zirakpur, December 10
The local police claims to have solved two cases of theft in Baltana with the arrest of five persons on December 8.

The police arrested the five while they were planning a robbery near Choice Hotel.

A police official said the accused had confessed to their involvement in two thefts at Wadhawa Nagar in Baltana.

Two gold chains, two gold rings, a camera and a DVD changer were recovered from their possession, the police official added.

The accused have been identified as Ranjit Singh and Sunil Kumar, both residents of Jhandpur, Kharar; Yogesh Sharma, a resident of Gobind Vihar, Baltana; Devi Lal, a resident of Burail, Chandigarh; and Raju Gabaria, a resident of Ram Darbar, Chandigarh.

The police said Ranjit Singh, Sunil Kumar and Raju were involved in various cases of theft in Sectors 31, 26 and 34 of Chandigarh.

Zirakpur SHO Yogi Raj said the accused were today produced in the Dera Bassi court, which remanded them in judicial custody.

Mohali, December 10
Fearing arrest, car thieves burnt a Honda City near Chappar Chidi village here today.

Mohali SSP GPS Bhullar said two cars, a Scorpio (HR 26 D 6691) and a Honda City (PB 65 J 5725), were stolen from Matour on December 3.

Following investigations by SHO Tarlochan Singh and ASI Ram Darshan of the police control room, the Scorpio was recovered from the suspects on December 5.

During further investigation to trace the stolen Honda City, the police went on a hot chase of other suspects. Fearing arrest, the suspects set the Honda City ablaze.

The car was owned by Rakesh Chauhan, a resident of Sector 70.

A case under Sections 201, 427 and 435 of the IPC has been registered.

Chandigarh, December 10
Punjab emerged victorious in men and women categories during the ongoing 22nd Senior National Circle Kabaddi Championship being organised by the Amateur Circle Kabaddi Federation of India.

In the first match of the day, Punjab (men) defeated Jammu and Kashmir (27-16). Pritpal and Mandeep scored nine and seven points for their team, respectively. In the women’s category, Punjab defeated Karnataka (25-16). For the winners, Parveen Kaur and Lavneet contribute 10 and nine points, respectively. The semifinals are scheduled to be played tomorrow.

Himachal Pradesh defeated Chandigarh (36-31) in the men’s section. Rajeev scored 10 points for the winners. Chandigarh defeated Madhya Pradesh in the women’s category by a comfortable margin of 30-16. Satvinder scored 10 points and Gagandeep scored nine points for the winners. Himachal Pradesh defeated Rajasthan 43-42. In the remaining matches (men’s section), Tamil Nadu defeated Karnataka (39-24); Delhi defeated Uttar Pradesh (26-12); Haryana defeated Gujarat ( 25-20) and Delhi defeated Karnataka (25-15). In the women’s section, Delhi defeated Himachal Pradesh (34-21).

Chandigarh, December 10
DP Azad Cricket Academy today defeated Stepping Stones Cricket Academy, Sector 37, by five wickets to storm into the semifinals of the ongoing Leslie Gordon Carver Inter-Academy U-17 Cricket Tournament.

Batting first, Stepping Stones scored 172 in 37.1 overs. Azad Academy completed its chase in 36.1 overs. Karan Aggarwal scored 30 runs and took four wickets.

Azad Academy will play against Government Model Senior Secondary School Cricket Academy, Sector 19, tomorrow. Ropar Cricket Academy will battle it out with DAV Cricket Academy, Sector 8, in the second semifinals.

For Stepping Stones Academy, Shyam Kumar scored 59 runs in 61 balls, including eight fours and a six. Shivam Gupta contributed 40 runs, Arnav Sharma and Honey Rana scored 15 runs each.

Arnav and Shyam Kumar shared a 65 run-partnership for the seventh wicket. Besides a four-wicket haul by leg spinner Karan, medium pacer Talwinder Singh scrapped three wickets by conceding only 18 runs.

Daksh Aggarwal scored 30 runs in the opening partnership of 78 with Karan for the winning team. Talwinderjit scored 17 runs, while Navjit Singh and Gurpinder Singh remained not out with contributions of 14 and 17, respectively. Kamalpreet was the top wicket taker with two for 31.DP Azad lads have remained unbeaten throughout the tournament.

Mohali, December 10
The Rolling Tigers of Manav Mangal, Panchkula, stole the show by winning 22 medals in Rink Race I competition of the Manav Mangal All-India Skating Carnival 2010 which began here today.

The three-day Skating carnival being organised at Manav Mangal Smart School, is witnessing participation from

skaters from Jammu , Delhi , Mussorrie , Sangrur , Patiala and Yamuna Nagar.

Winners’ list

U-4 (boys): Vedant Arora (first), Ashmit Aggarwal (second) and Arjun (third).

U-4 (girls): Vironica (first) and Varinda (second);

4 to 6 years (boys): Aman Pratap (first), Pranya Gaud (second) and Aneesh (third);

4 to 6 years (girls): Simran (first), Javeen Seth (second) and Prisha (third);

4 to 6 years (boys) (inline):Udayveer (first) and Achitya (second);

4 to 6 years (girls) (inline): Dayita Goel; Raghav (first), Gurnoor Singh (second) and Tanveer (third);and

6 to 8years (girls) (inline ): Seerat (first, Aashna (second) and Aayushi (third).

6 to 8 years (boys) (inline): Pratham (first), Farhan (second) and Adiraj Sood (third);

6 to 8 years (girls): Vidushi (first), Aashna (second) and Shivani (third);

8 to 10 years (boys): Aryan Pal (first), Ujjawal(second) and Yuvraj (third);

8 to 10 years (girls): Dilpreet (first), Guradesh (second) and Prabhleen (third);

8 to 10years (boys) (inline): Harsh Gupra (first), Love Verma (second) and Amandeep Singh (third);

10 to 12 years (boys): Balkeerat (first), Arpan (second) and Jasdeep (third);

10 to 12 years (girls): Runjhun (first), Priyanka (second) and Riya (third);

10 to 12 years (boys) (inline): Anusood (first), Gaurav Vishnoyi (second) and Aryan(third);

10 to 12 years (girls) (inline ): Chhavi (first) ;

12 to 14 years (boys): Mohit Thakur(first),

Sahil Khokhar (second) and Anubhav (third);

12 to 14 years (boys) (inline): Anshul (first), Shubham Agarwal (second) and Lakshay(third);

14 to 16 years (boys): Kunal(first), Anmol Nayyar(second) and Navjot Singh Sandhu(third); and

14 to 16 years (boys) (inline): Harman (first) and Amrinder (second).

Panchkula, December 10
Sharmila Nicollet tightened her grip on the sixth leg of the Hero Honda Women’s Professional Golf Tour by building up a 11-stroke lead and entering the final round of the competition on the par-73 greens of the Panchkula Golf Club here today.

With three tour titles already under her belt, the 19-year-old Bangalore girl overcame the cold and foggy conditions to return the best card of the day, a two over par 75, for a two-day tally of one over 147. Trailing 11 strokes behind is Nalini Singh Siwach, who is leading the pack contesting for the second spot, with local girl Saaniya Sharma and Nalini Singh breathing down her neck at 159 and 160, respectively. Another girl to watch out on the final day is Tanya Wadhwa, who came back after a disastrous opening round of 86 to card a three over 76 today for a two-day score of 162.

But the ninth hole continued to be the trouble spot for the women. Sharmila Nicollet dropped two strokes, Nalini Singh Siwach triple-bogeyed, Preetinder Kaur conceded a double bogeyed and the remaining golfers, barring Sharmila, lost a stroke each on this hole which tested the putting prowess of the contestants. It was only Saaniya Sharma who tamed this difficult hole with a par score.

With the sun fighting a losing battle against the fog, Sharmila began well remaining at par till the fifth. But then bogeys on the sixth and eighth and a double bogey on the ninth saw her take the turn at four over 40.

She lost another stroke on the 10th to be five over. But then followed a recovery as she pared the 11th and sank birdies on the 12th, 15th and 18th to sign off with a two under 35 back nine and a card of two over 75.

Chandigarh’s Saaniya Sharma, who had a bad 81 card on the opening day, seemed all set to occupy the second slot with a two-stroke lead over Nalini Singh Siwach going into the 18 hole. But the last hole saw Saaaniya double-bogeying and Nalini sinking a birdie. The leaderboard showed Nalini one stroke ahead of Saaniya at 158.

With Sharmila Nicollet almost certain to wrap up the sixth leg with her fourth tour title, the focus will be on the battle for the second slot.

Scores (after second round): 147 Sharmila Nicollet (72-75); 158 Nalini Singh Siwach (76-82); 159 Saaniya Sharma (81-78); 160 Nalini Singh (77-83); 162 Tanya Wadhwa (86-76); 164 Vandana Aggarwal (81-83); 165 Nitika Jadeja (84-81) and 169 Preetinder Kaur (84-85).

Chandigarh, December 10
DAV, Sector 8, defeated St John’s to win the 12th Blessed Edmund Rice Cricket Tournament here today.

St John’s won the toss and elected to field. DAV-8 openers Bhagmendar and Abhishek had an opening partnership of 139 runs. Abhishek was then caught by Angad on the bowling of Rohan for 53 runs, including seven fours. Baghmendar was the only batsmen of DAV-8 who scored a brilliant 106 runs facing 65 balls with 14 fours and two huge sixes. DAV-8 scored 264 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in 25 overs. Sidharth was the only successful bowler for St John’s who took 4 wickets for 40 runs. St John’s were bundled out for 135 runs. Angad was the only batsmen who scored 38 runs. Varun and Rehmat scored 20 each. Sagar took 3 wickets for 12 runs.

Bhagmendar was adjudged the ‘Man of the Match’; Angad Chahal of St. John’s was the Best batsman; and Angad Chahal was also the Man of the Series.

Chandigarh, December 10
The Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association (CLTA) is hosting the AITA Talent Series Tennis Tournament for U-12 and U-16 (boys and girls) from tomorrow.

Around 87 players have sent their entries.