The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

NEIGHBOURHOOD

Pinjore Block
Villagers gobble up panchayat land
BDPO office, sarpanches look the other way
Hemant Kumar

Kalka, February 20
Owing to the apathetic attitude of the local administration, several acres of the “shamlat” land (panchayat common land) worth crores of rupees has been under illegal occupation at villages falling in Pinjore block of Kalka subdivision. Interestingly, the local BDPO office and sarpanches concerned have turned a blind eye to the encroachment.

A survey reveals that the maximum encroachment has been carried out by residents of the same village in the past two decades. However, the panchayats concerned have not taken any action to reclaim the land.

Some senior residents of Tagra and Tipra villages, near here, say certain inhabitants, using their clout, have constructed permanent structures on several bighas of “shamlat” land and rented out the rooms.

Even as the panchayat concerned is in the know of the anomaly, the officers have not taken action against the offenders.

Official sources in the BDPO office, Kalka, said in October, 2010, a special campaign had been started under which 15 villages of Pinjore block had been identified to reclaim the shamlat land. However, the campaign remained on paper alone.

A scam involving the illegal sale of the common land of Rampur Jangi village in Kalka subdivision to a realtor mafia had come to light in May, 2008. Land worth crores of rupees was illegally sold to outsiders in the process.

A sale deed had been registered and attested by Nirmal Dahiya, the then naib tehsildar, on May 12, 2008, whereby 88 bighas were sold illegally against a cash consideration of Rs 1 crore, taking undue advantage of wrong and erroneous entries of the names of sellers in the ownership column of the record “jamabandi”. This had been challenged by villagers in the court of Additional Civil Judge, Panchkula, and Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Villagers had also lodged complaints to the Prime Minister, the Haryana Chief Minister, the then Deputy Commissioner, Panchkula, besides other authorities.

Biggest offenders

In the past two decades, maximum encroachment has been carried out by residents of the same village. However, the panchayats concerned have not taken any action to reclaim the land

Residents protest lack of amenities
Our Correspondent

Ambala, February 20
Hundreds of residents of Sector 9, Urban Estate, Ambala City, took out a candle march this evening and later blocked the Ambala-Hissar road near the grain market to protest against the bad condition of roads and sewerage in the locality.

The residents raised slogans against the state government for not providing even basic amenities like proper roads and sewerage in the sector. A large number of women were also present in the march. The women sat on the highway and interrupted traffic flow. Hundreds of vehicles were stranded on both sides of the highway.

Dr Hemant Agnihotri and Neeru Vadhera, residents of the sector, said the condition of the sector was worse than a village. They said almost all roads of the sector were in a dilapidated condition. They said the sewerage system of the sector was not working properly and during rainy season two to three feet water accumulated on the roads.

Later in the evening the SDM and a police team reached at the site. The SDM assured that their problem would be taken up at the earliest, but the residents were not ready to remove the blockade. They were also demanding action against the SDO and the JE of the sector administration.

The women of the sector were much agitated. The blockade was removed around 8 pm when the SDM assured them that he would look into in their demands by tomorrow and would visit their sector to witness their problems.

Expert dwells on writing of history

Patiala, February 20
Government Mohindra College organised an extension lecture on “Literature and History” on the college campus here yesterday. The lecture was delivered by Dr ID Gaur of Panjab University, Chandigarh.

Dr Gaur said conventional historiography relied on the state archives, treating the elite class as chief or central player in writing history. The role of marginalised groups, concerns of the non-elite groups and vernacular literature, etc. were ignored in writing history.

It was essential to explore the events objectively through the circumstances and the spirit of the common masses. Society of History president Dr SS Rekhi introduced the speaker. Over 200 students and the faculty attended the lecture. — TNS

Students awarded at annual function
Tribune News Service

Kharar, February 20
Apeejay Smart School organised its annual function. Students from Classes pre-nursery to III participated in the function.

They presented songs, poems and dances.

MLA Ujagar Singh Badali was the chief guest on the occasion. He honoured students, who participated in various academic and sports competitions.

School principal Jasvir Singh read out the annual report.

Kharar municipal council president Gurprem Singh Romana, too, addressed audience.

COURTS

Quarkcity Engineer Murder Case
Next hearing fixed for today
Tribune News Service

Mohali, February 20
Before concluding the arguments in the five-year-old murder case of Quarkcity engineer Sukhwinder Singh, the Additional District and Sessions Judge, Mohali, yesterday fixed February 21 as the next date for the defence counsel to continue with his argument.

The defence counsel is expected to end his arguments by next week and the court would conclude the arguments before pronouncing the orders.

The prosecution had stated that Himmat Singh Brandy, the alleged paramour of victim’s wife Neki Nalwa, killed the engineer.

Continuing with the arguments yesterday, the defence counsel stated that the police had planted the weapon purportedly used by Brandy in shooting Sukhwinder.

Basing his argument on the forensic reports, he stated that injury marks on the victim’s body did not match with the weapon produced as an exhibit by the police. He also claimed that the police record in the “malkhana” had been tampered with.

The defence argument in the case has been going on for the past two and half weeks. Accusing Neki and Brandy of “conspiring to kill Sukhwinderjit”, the prosecution had submitted that the two had exchanged 800 calls three weeks before and after the murder.

In October, 2008 the Punjab and Haryana High Court had directed the trial court to conclude the trial preferably within six months.

CRIME

Crime: Motorcycle stolen
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 20
Jaswant Saini of Shian village, Himachal Pradesh, lodged a complaint with the police that someone had stolen his black Pulsar motorcycle (HP-33-A-3832) from Leisure Valley, Sector 10, on February 17. A case has been registered at the Sector 3 police station.

Scooter stolen

Pankaj Sakotia of the PGI reported to the police that someone had stolen his scooter (PB-65-C-2411) from Sarojani Hostel, PGI, on January 16. A case has been registered at the Sector 11 police station.

Taxi stolen

A case under Section 328/379 IPC has been registered at the Secort 17 police station on the direction of court against an unknown person who took away a taxi after serving a laced drink to driver of the vehicle near Patran, Patiala.

Chain snatched

Five miscreants snatched a gold chain from Madhuri Aggarwal, who stays in hostel no. 8 of the UIET, Sector 25, yesterday. The police has registered a case under Sections 356, 379, IPC at the Sector 11 police station.

Meanwhile, Dharminder of Ram Darbar reported to the police that three unidentified persons snatched his purse containing cash Rs 300, a driving licence and important documents from near his residence on Saturday. A case has been registered at the Sector 31 police station.

1 held for satta

Manjit Singh of Hallo Majra was arrested by the police for playing satta. It recovered Rs 2,100 in cash from his possession. A case under Section 13A-3-67 Gambling Act has been registered.

Caught stealing

Saroj Saltora of Sector 41 lodged a complaint with the police that Harjinder Singh of Panjab University was caught stealing her bicycle from outside her residence today. A case has been registered at the Sector 39 police station.

Cyclist hit by car

An unknown cyclist was hit by a car (CH-01-Y-9362) which was being driven by Gopal, a resident of Sector 29, near light points of Sectors 45/46/49/50 on Saturday. A case has been registered at the Sector 34 police station.

Pick pockets arrested

The police today arrested two residents of Ramdarbar for allegedly picking the pocket of a Mohali resident, Sanjay Kumar near Kalwadi temple, industrial area. The suspects, Tinku and Sitaram, had picked Rs 1,500 from Sanjay's pocket. Both the suspects a migrants and settled in the city.

Two held for stealing two-wheelers
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 20
Two persons were arrested for stealing two-wheelers. The accused have been identified as Sandeep Kumar, a resident of Sector 25, and Munish of Sirs Kheri, Haryana. The police said nine stolen two-wheelers were recovered from them.

It said Sandeep was nabbed on February 17, while Munish was arrested from district Gohana in Haryana.

The police said after stealing a two-wheeler, the accused used to sell its spare parts. They hid dismantled parts of vehicles in fodder sacks, it added. Their third accomplice Anil Kumar, who committed suicide around four months ago, procured fake registration numbers.

“With their arrest, we are hopeful of solving more cases of vehicle theft,” added the police. The accused have been sent to police remand up to February 22.

SPORTS

Karandeep, Ashu win golf titles
Our Golf Correspondent

Chandigarh, February 20
Karandeep Kochhar and Ashu B Singh clinched the individual gross and nett titles and steered Rotary Chandigarh Shivalik to clinch the nett team title in the Rotary District Golf Tournament played on the par-72 greens of the Chandigarh Golf Club here today.

About 50 Rotarian golfers from District 3080 comprising Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh teed off in ideal weather conditions.

Karandeep Kochhar, back after finishing second in the recent Asia Pacific Tournament held in Bangkok, fired a four over par 76 card to edge out Sandeep Sandhu by one stroke to emerge the winner in the individual gross competition.

Karandeep began well conceding a bogey on the fourth to be one over par 37 at the turn with Sandeep Sandhu being three strokes behind at 40.

Karandeep missed strokes on the 13th, 15th and 16th, while Sandeep sank a birdie on the 16th after bogeying the 12th to draw level. The two played par on the 17th, but then Sandeep missed a stroke on the last hole to lost by one stroke.

Ashu B Singh edged out Santosh Khaitan to emerge winner in the individual nett section.

The winning Rotary Chandigarh Shivalik team comprised Bachitter Singh, Karandeep Kochhar, Ashu B Singh and Dharinder Tayal. Finishing runner-up in the team event was the foursome from Rotary Chandigarh Midtown comprising Sandeep Sandhu, Harish Sethi, Dr Aggarwal and AK Sachdeva.

Rotary District Governor Madhukar Malhotra gave away the prizes.

District golf chairman GS Kochhar said the tournament was played in the stable ford format. The handicap of the players was calculated after completion of the rounds as per the Peoria system.

The results:

Team event: Rotary Chandigarh Shivalik 1, Rotary Chandigarh Midtown 2.

Individual events: Gross: Karandeep Kochhar 1, Sandeep Sandhu 2; nett: Ashu B Singh 1, Sanntosh Khaitan 2; nine-hole gross winner: Major BM Singh; nine-hole nett winner: Col HS Chahal; straight drive (hole no. 4): Ashwani Chopra; nearest to the pin (hole no. 3): Subhash Marria.

Ajay, Dhanwant script Kundan academy win
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 20
The Kundan Cricket Academy defeated Kapsons XI to level the series in the Puma League organised by the Kapsons’ Agencies being played at Kundan International School here today.

The host defeated Kapsons XI by five wickets. Half centuries by both Ajay Kumar and Dhanwant helped the winning team to achieve the target with two overs left for the game.

Batting first, Kapsons XI made 176 runs in allotted 20 overs. Anil Kumar (36), Sanjeev Garg (34) and Ravinder Malik (23) were the main contributors to the total of the team.

Suraj Sharma (four for 32 runs) and Nipun Pandita (three for 36) were the pick of the bowlers for Kundan academy.

In reply, Kundan academy openers, Ajay Kumar and Dhanwant, scored a 90-run partnership for the first wicket and gave a good start to the winning team.

Dhanwant remained unbeaten and made a quick fire 81 runs from 41 balls studded with four sixes and five fours, whereas Ajay Kumar contributed 74 runs in 43 balls.

Brief score:

Kapsons XI: 176 for 10 wickets in 19.4 overs (Anil Kumar 36, Sanjeev Garg 34, Ravinder Malik 23; Suraj Sharma 4 for 32, Nipun Pandita 3 for 36).

Kundan academy: 177 for 5 in 18 overs (Ajay Kumar 74, Dhanwant 81 not out; Ravinder Malik 2 for 22, Hitesh Sharma 2 for 29).

4-wicket win for Godrej & Boyce
Tribune News service

Panchkula, February 20
Godrej and Boyce defeated Infosys by four wickets to win the Inter-Corporate Employees League Cricket Tournament organised by the Cricket Federation of Haryana at JR Institute here today.

Batting first, Infosys scored 151 runs in allotted 25 overs. Infosys failed to face the bowling attack of Naresh Dhingra (3 for 29) and Umesh Kaira (3 for 20).

After a good start by skipper Nitin Bhardwaj and Sahil Seth in first 10 overs, the team went down on 100 for 7 after 20 overs, but the team managed to score 151 runs in allotted overs. In reply, Godrej and Boyce was back to the pavilion on 45 runs in the first 10 overs.

An 85-run partnership between Umesh Kaira (55) and Inderjeet Singh (51) helped the team reach the target. Umesh Kaira remained unbeaten till the end. He was declared man of the match and best all-rounder of the tournament. Pramod Rawat of Infosys was declared best batsman, Naresh Dhingra of Godrej Team was named best bowler, while Ujwal Tikoo of Infosys was declared the best wicket keeper of the tournament.

Score

Infosys: 152 all out in 25 overs (Nitin Bhardwaj 38, Sahil Seth 32, Rishab Kapur 31, Anhad Gill 28,Umesh Kaira 3 for 20 and Naresh Dhingra 3 for 29).

Godrej and Boyce: 156 for 6 in 23.4 overs (Umesh Kaira 55 not out, Inderjeet 51, Nikhil Valecha 2 for 27, Raghav Sehgal 2 for 31 and Ankit Sharma 2 for 28).

Hitesh, Jiya shine in athletics meet
Tribune News service

Chandigarh, February 20
Smart Wonders School, Mohali, organised an annual sports meet at the Sector 46 athletics stadium here today. KR Singh, DIG, intelligence director SAWT, Chandigarh, hoisted the school flag and declared the athletics meet open.

Results:

Flat race: Class I (boys): 1st Hitesh, Rushil and Divyansh; 2nd Shalavya, Yuvraj and Agam; 3rd Tripat, Josh and Abhinav.

Girls: 1st Kaynaat, Jiya and Nishita; 2nd Eva, Harsirat and Nyasa; 3rd Mehak, Mehar and Chetna.

Class II (boys): 1st Pranavnihal; 2nd Manav; 3rd Yuvraj.

Girls: 1st Ananya; 2nd Srishti; 3rd Priya.

Sack race (boys): 1st Jashan; 2nd Tripat; 3rd Hitesh.

Balloon race (boys): 1st Akhil; 2nd Shurya; 3rd Josh.

Girls: 1st Jiya; 2nd Harsirat; 3rd Shreya.

Three-legged race (boys): 1st Agam and Pratham; 2nd Abhinav and Divyansh; 3rd Piyush and Nirvaan.

Girls: 1st Nyasa and Nishita; 2nd Amreen and Harsh; 3rd Sia, Jaslin.

Squash meet from Feb 25
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 20
The Chandigarh Squash Rackets Association will organise the Annual Chandigarh State Squash Championship from February 25 to 27 at Lake Club squash courts here.

Competitions will be held for boys in junior (U-19) and sub-junior (U-15 and (U-11) categories and for girls in junior (U-19), and sub-junior (U-15) categories.

Competitions in masters’ category i.e. up to 45 years will also be held.

The interested players can collect the entry forms from the venue and the squash court of Sector 23. The forms should be submit back to the authorities before February 22.