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Khushpreet dead Residents go on rampage
Chandigarh, January 5 The body of the child was found in a pit besides a garbage dump near Manav Mangal School in Mohali’s Phase X. Still clad in his school uniform, Khushpreet’s blue-coloured patka had been tied around his neck suggesting that he had been strangulated. The police said the body had been lying for at least past two days with blood on the face. Besides, there was a deep injury mark on his upper lip.
Khushpreet’s curled up body was found lying on his stomach and was first detected by a passerby who went near the pit to attend to the nature’s call. He immediately called up the police control room following which the Mohali Police reached the spot and then informed their counterparts in Chandigarh that they had found the body of a child in school uniform. The UT police reached the spot along with a dog squad and a team of forensics from the Central Forensic Scientific Laboratory, which collected blood samples and examined the evidence around the body. A bag with the words ‘Dev Darshan Dhoop’ written on it was also found lying near the body. The police said they believed Khushpreet had first been strangulated to death and his body wrapped in a bag before the kidnappers threw it into a rough patch of land along a wall of a residential society and not far from a road leading to Manav Mangal Smart School. The police then called Khushpreet’s father Lakhbir Singh to identify the body. Heart rendering scenes were witnessed when Lakhbir identified the body of the child as that of his missing son Khushpreet, following which he broke down. Meanwhile, relatives of the family also reached the spot and immediately begun accusing the UT police of inaction during the entire duration of the kidnapping. Soon after Khushpreet was abducted, his family received a ransom call for Rs 10 lakh. A deal was finally settled for Rs 4 lakh. The police had laid a trap to apprehend the kidnappers when the ransom was being paid a day later on December 22 but failed to detect or intercept the kidnappers when they collected the ransom in Desu Majra near
Kharar. Tribune photos: S Chandan and Vicky Gharu
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Violence erupts in Burail after Khushpreet’s murder
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14 cops injured in stone pelting
Chandigarh, January 5 As a result, over 14 policemen, including a Deputy Superintendent of Police Jagbir Singh, and a civilian were injured and the Burail police post was also damaged by the angry protestors in the riot that lasted four hours from 6.30 pm to 10.30 pm. Constable Gurinder Singh sustained a fracture to his skull. In retaliation, the police fired tear gas shells on the mob, fired bullets in the air, sprayed the public with a water cannon and resorted to a lathi charge to control the unruly mob. Almost 1,000 policemen along with riot control vehicles was pressed into service to control the agitated mob. Alleging that the police completely failed to crack the case, the residents blamed the police for the death of the child. The police cordoned off the area in and around Burail following the violence which began at 6.30 pm. The violent mob, which carried lathis and stones, forcibly shut down the market following which they came on the road separating Sectors 45 and 46 and blocked the traffic. While raising slogans against the Chandigarh Police for their complete failure in Khushpreet’s episode, the residents pelted stones at the policemen. Following police retaliation, the protestors were pushed into the interiors of the village while using lathis and cannons. Undeterred by the police action, the protestors continued their fury and hurled heavy stones from different locations inside the village. Interestingly, the police switched off power supply to the area to bring the mob in control. However, many people took advantage of the darkness to pelt stones at policemen before disappearing into the dingy bylanes.
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Bedlam on roads
Chandigarh, January 5 Residents returning home from their offices faced a tough time with over hundreds of residents of Sector 45, Burail village and even the adjoining Sectors of 46 and 47 blocking all entry and exit points of Sector 45 where Khushpreet’s family resides. As
a result, long queues of buses, trucks, cars and two-wheelers could be seen on the roads separating Sectors 45, 46, 44, 45, 32 and 33.
Consequently, commuters were forced to find alternative routes to reach their destinations, mostly by taking wrong turns on slip lanes. Many drivers were seen trying to safely drive their vehicles without grazing or hitting other vehicles. A few accidents were averted as buses tried to find their way out of residential lanes in Sectors 45 and 46.
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All is lost: parents
Chandigarh, January 5 Lakhbir Singh, who returned home around 6.30 pm after a brief check-up at a hospital, said: “My life is over with my son.” An inconsolable mother, Kulwinder Kaur, was repeatedly heard murmuring: “All is over. We have lost everything.” “We are not in a position to talk. When we had given the ransom, why did this tragedy have to occur,”asked Khushi’s uncle, Sukhwinder Singh, with his eyes welling with tears. Khushi’s elder brother, eight-year old Inder Singh, was seen sitting quietly in the lap of a relative. As the news of Khushi’s murder flashed on television news channels, a large number of residents of the area started gathering at his house to extend their support. Agitated neighbours blamed the Chandigarh Police for its failure in the episode. “Khushpreet lost his life just because of the inefficiency of the Chandigarh Police. Stern action should be taken against the police personnel who responded poorly in the case,” alleged most of the neighbours. Villagers stunned
The news of Khushpreet’s murder sent a shock wave in the area. The street in front of the house of the deceased was flooded with people. “He was such a lovely child. I can’t believe that he is no more,” said Amarjit Kaur, a neighbour. “How one can kill such a little child? When the family had given them the ransom, why did they not release him?” were some questions being asked by those present there.
Family shattered
Khushpreet’s father fainted twice after receiving news of the recovery of his son’s body. He first fainted after visiting the spot where the police had called him to identify the body and later in the evening when he returned home. Kulwinder Kaur, the boy’s mother, had to be administered a sleep inducing injection. Both the victim’s grandmother and grandfather complained of chest congestion. The grandmother had to be rushed to PGI in the evening because of her failing health condition. In a commendable gesture, Amarjeet Singh, associated with the Anti-Corruption Society, helped the police in getting her out of the house to the vehicle which transported her to the hospital amid a mad rush of protesters.
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Kidnappers known to family
Police has dismissed the theory that the kidnappers are strangers to the family. “Had the accused been strangers, they would have released the child. They killed him because they knew that the child will recognise them,” said a police official.
Clues found, finally, claim cops “It is very unfortunate. We have got vital clues and are confident of nabbing the culprits very soon,” said officiating UT SSP HS Doon. SSP avails leave; SHO denied While he cancelled the ex-India leave of the SHO of the Sector 34 police station Inspector Uday Pal Singh because of the kidnapping case, UT SSP Naunihal Singh was today discovered to have himself proceeded on two days leave for personal work. The city was without its SSP while the city witnessed its first riot-like situation this year. How the police botched up the case?
Case Timeline
December 21: Khushpreet abducted from outside his house at 1.15 pm; family receives ransom call at 4.30 pm. December 22:
Rs 4 lakh as ransom money handed over to kidnappers in Desu Majra near Kharar by Khushpreet’s uncle, Sukwinder Singh; 16-member police team fails to detect or entrap the kidnappers who came on a motorbike. December 24:
Police announces Rs 1 lakh reward. December 25: Burail residents protest in Sector 17. December 27:
Police recover missing mobile phone of Sukhwinder Singh taken away by the kidnappers. December 29:
Khushpreet’s father meets UT SSP. December 30: Police still clueless. January 1:
False rumours of child having been recovered raise hopes of the distressed family. January 3:
Family demands action against erring cops. January 4: SHO of Sector 34 police station Inspector Uday Pal Singh and in-charge of Burail Police Post Inspector Narinder Singh Patial transferred to police lines January 5:
Body of Khushpreet recovered in Mohali: Burail residents stage a violent protest
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Blanket of fog engulfs city
Chandigarh, December 5 There is no respite from cold and the mercury registered a further decline in both day and night temperatures of the region. Even Punjab and Haryana reeled under intense cold-wave conditions with the mercury plummeting between 8 and 12 degree Celsius below normal. Vehicular traffic on many state and national highways was also affected as visibility dropped considerably. Dense fog and overcast sky forced vehicle owners to move with headlights on. With every passing day, the temperature is dropping and chilly winds have begun to disrupt normal life of residents. But the main sufferers are the poor, who are residing on footpaths or in the corridors of market places. To get little respite and warmth, they are dependent on makeshift fire arrangements. There was practically no hustle and bustle in the markets today. While private educational institutions, banks, offices and business establishments remained open, normal activities were affected with relatively fewer people turning up. Jagat Ram, a rickshaw-puller, said this was a testing time for daily wage earners. A cobbler said his daily business was suffering, as there were no customers. Meanwhile, the sale of woollens has shot up in the city. Meanwhile, Balwinder Singh, an agricultural expert, said the severe cold was conducive for the wheat crop. “Wheat is a crop that requires chilly weather conditions at the growing stage and high temperatures at the time of ripening”, he added. Sources said fog predictions could never be totally accurate since several factors played a role. "We need an ideal mix of low temperatures, high humidity and low wind for fog to set. If even one of these parameters is disturbed, then we won't have fog. However, we still manage to get a more or less accurate picture based on our observations," said the sources. According to the weatherman, the cloudy conditions with mist/fog will prevail in the region tomorrow. The met office forecast a further fall in the temperature.
Flights cancelled, trains delayed
Many trains arrived late in the city due to the fog on the way. Passengers at the city’s railway station faced a harrowing time, waiting for hours together on the platforms. The Railways has cancelled the Chandigarh-Bandra train. Delhi-Chandigarh Shatabdi Express (2011) arrived half an hour late as against its scheduled arrival of 11.05 am. Similarly, Lucknow-Chandigarh Sadbhavna Express also reached at 2.15 pm. instead of 10.15 am. All the incoming flights scheduled for the city remained cancelled due to foggy conditions today, Airport sources said.
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Three suspects released
Tribune News Service
Zirakpur, January 5 The police claimed that the search operation was in process and the miscreants involved in cashier’s murder case would be arrested soon. A police official said: “It will be the work of more than three persons, who knew each movement of the cashier and informed the bikers.” With their release, it’s clear that the police so far is clueless regarding the murderers. On Tuesday, the police arrested Kashu Sharma, Rajinder Kumar and Bikram after a three-hour search operation from Simran Apartment, Ekta Vihar, Baltana. The police official claimed that one of them was wanted and declared proclaimed offender. Zirakpur SHO Yogi Raj said the accused had been released late this evening after the verification. The parents of the youths had reached the city late this evening and took the youths with them after a guarantee was given by some residents. The youths told the police that they thought that the J&K Police had come to arrest them and fearing the arrest, they tried to flee. The police also claimed that a black-coloured motorcycle, which was found abandoned from Badal Colony in Zirakpur on Monday was stolen from Barwala and its wires were cut off while the two-wheeler was found. On January 3, two masked motorcycle-borne youths shot a cashier at a liquor vend in Baltana while robbing him of Rs 5 lakh.
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Prime suspect a proclaimed offender, says Jammu police
Jammu, January 5 The Punjab police had arrested the three suspects -- Kashu Sharma, a resident of RS Pura, Bikram and Rajinder Kumar- from a flat in a private colony at Baltana yesterday in connection with the killing
of Singla. Terming Kashu as a proclaimed offender, SDPO, RS Pura, HS Gill said, “Kashu, along with some persons, had attempted to kill a businessman here in 2007 and a case under Section 307 of the RPC
and Section 4/25 of the Arms Act was registered against him,”. He said Kashu, a resident of Ward No 4 in RS Pura, was involved in a number of criminal activities. He had also opened fire at SHO, Gandhi Nagar police station, Rafiq Manhas, at Bakshi Nagar here, about two years ago. Manhas told The Tribune that he had gone to Bakshi Nagar to arrest Kashu, but the criminal along with some persons opened fire at him. The Jammu police said the Punjab police was yet to inform it about the arrest of Kashu. As per the reports, on January 3, two masked motorcycle-borne youths shot dead
Singla.
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MC rent notices to 2 Food Street kiosk owners
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, January 5 MC additional commissioner TPS Phoolka confirmed that notices had been sent to the kiosk owners. “Action would be initiated against them for not depositing the pending rent on time”, he added. The source said last year the MC had to again invite bids for all the eight kiosks after three of the allottees did not turn up after the auction. It added two of the kiosk owners did not paid their monthly rental for more than three months, which led to the MC incurring financial losses.
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Kang challenges Pali’s election
Chandigarh, January 5 He was also accompanied by BJP senior leader Satpal Jain while filing the petition before the DC. The first hearing of the petition will be held on January 12 by the prescribed authority. In the petition, Kang has appealed that all records of the mayoral elections should be summoned by the authority and sealed. Kang has also asked that he should be declared as the duly elected Mayor of the MC for the term commencing on January 1 and the election of Congress candidate Ravinder Pal Singh (Pali) should be set aside. Kang further requested the prescribed authority to issue directions that during the pendency of the election petition, Pali should be restrained from acting as the Mayor of MC and his powers should be curbed. He also prayed that the petition should be taken up soon as the term of the MC Mayor is of one year. It may be mentioned that Kang had made allegations against the Union Minister and Member Parliament, Pawan Kumar Bansal, for misinterpreting the mayoral poll procedure. He alleged that Bansal had overruled the instructions of the presiding officer, Brig Kuldeep Singh Chandpuri, in using camera cell phone in ballot booths.
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BJYM burns JKLF’s chief effigy
Chandigarh, January 5 The BJYM members gathered in large numbers outside the BJP office “Kamalam” in Sector 33 and proceeded towards the Sector 33-34 rotary shouting slogans against the separatist leader. Thereafter, the members burnt the effigy of Yasin Malik and condemned his alleged remarks against the party as well as the country. State general secretary Satinder Singh and secretary Sachin Lohtiya addressed the youth and said disrespect to the National Flag would not be tolerated at any cost. BJYM state president Maheshinder Singh Sidhu condemned the statement of Malik, in which he had dared BJYM president Anurag Thakur for bringing the “National Ekta Yatra” into Kashmir valley and unfurling of the National Flag at the Lal Chowk in Srinagar on January 26.
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UT transport authority challans, impounds 606 vehicles
Chandigarh, January 5 Over 1,500 transport vehicles were checked and 606 were challaned, impounded and issued notices. Secretary of the State Transport Authority Mahavir Kaushik advised the people to keep the documents complete in their vehicles. They should keep the RC, the insurance, the driving licence, pollution under control certificate and permit ready and not overload their vehicles while travelling to avoid inconvenience, according to a press note issued here. An amount of
Rs 10,22,500 was recovered as composition fee, it added.
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Officials inspect sites for garden projects
Chandigarh, January 5 The ministry of tourism, Government of India, has released Rs 7.36 crore for the development of two theme-based gardens in the southern sectors. The officials visited the site in Sector 53 where the theme-based Garden of Spring is to be developed along the N-choe near the entry point to Chandigarh from Mohali. The site falls opposite the area in Sector 42 where Garden of Palms is being developed.
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Planning board chief favours decision
Mohali, January 5 Sharma said Badal had directed the financial commissioner, revenue department and chief administrator, GMADA, to cancel the acquisition notices issued under Section 4 in 2005 to farmers of Manak Majra, Bhago Majra, Lakhnour, Landran and Sohana villages. Farmers of these villages were now to be included in the land pooling scheme. Sharma, who attended the meeting with the Chief Minister, said the decision taken by Badal was in favour of farmers. — OC
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Man run over by train
Chandigarh, January 5 According to the Ambala railway police, the incident took place when Mohammad was crossing the railway track where the train hit him. Driver of the train stopped the train and took the injured to a hospital, where Mohammad died. The police said the body of the deceased had been handed over to family after conducting an autopsy. An inquest proceeding had been initiated, it said. He is survived by his wife and two children.
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UT’s bias out in open and how!
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PhD Degree
Chandigarh, January 5 This notification issued by PU is in continuation to the UGC guidelines implemented by the university in 2010. The fresh circular mentions that candidates enrolled prior to July 11, 2009 would have the option to do or not to do the “course work”. Additionally, research students whose cases have been pending will now be enrolled from a fresh date. The notification issued on December 2, 2010 by the PU’s Deputy Registrar (general) also stated that the course work in the university teaching departments would start tomorrow. “The university has already implemented the UGC guidelines for research work in June 2010 and we have now issued a fresh notification clearing the status of all other queries that the departments have,” said PU dean university instructions BS Brar. The notification also says if the number of successful candidates is more than the number of seats, the university departments would, respectively, hold an additional objective type test comprising 50 questions. According to the new guidelines, the course work would consist of 105 teaching hours and three papers, out of which one would be related to research methodology. Continuous evaluation consisting of book reviews, term paper and its presentation, seminar, etc., would contain 50 marks. The end examination would also merit for 50 marks. For the examination and evaluation of the course work, the department would conduct the same. The result will be declared by the PU Controller of Examination as “satisfactory” (S) or “unsatisfactory” (U).
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Pvt schools not inclined to extend vacations
Panchkula, January 5 According to sources, Deputy Commissioner Ashima Brar held a meeting with the education department to discuss whether there was a need to extending the winter vacations by another week, at least for primary classes. The sources further said district education official Nalini Mimani informed the DC that they were yet to receive any representation. The sources further added that principals of private schools have not shown any interest in extending the winter vacations stating that the schools would not be able to complete syllabi of the students. When contacted, DC Brar said it was confirmed that the education department had not received any representation in this regard and it was up to the school managements to extend the winter vacations or change the schools’ timings. Meanwhile, some of the private schools, including Saupin’s School, Sector 8; The Gurukul School, Sector 20; and The British School, have extended the winter vacations up to January 11, while St Soldier’s, Sector 16, Panchkula, has extended winter break for Classes Pre-Nursery to I only. However, the school has changed the timing from 9.15 am to 2.30 pm for Classes II to X from tomorrow. Meanwhile, while announcing the winter vacations in government schools, Geeta Bhukkal, state education minister, said all government-aided schools and private-recognised schools in Haryana would reopen on January 17. She also directed all DCs to ensure the orders be complied within letter and spirit through Section 20(2)(d) of the Haryana School Education Rules, 2003, in all schools.
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Help services for Class X students
Chandigarh, January 5 Another service called the geography help desk is also available for students and their parents on Saturdays between 11 am to 1pm. Students can meet geography experts to get their answers.
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1,000 policemen (approx) pressed into action to control the rioters
