Ludhiana, April 9
Residents have lodged a complaint with the Civil Surgeon against Dr BL Malhotra, a registered medical practitioner (RMP), and demanded the immediate closure of his clinic. They alleged that the RMP was misusing the DOTS centre (where patients suffering from tuberculosis were directly administered medicine) by charging money for the medicine, which is provided free of cost by the Central Government. They also claimed that he was sending patients for unnecessary tests and X-rays at unauthorised laboratories and scan centres.

The department of health and family welfare has marked an inquiry to the district ayurveda and unani officer (DAUO) Dr Narinder Dhand as Dr Malhotra has been running the clinic as Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) for the last 30 years.

Omkar Singh Walia, a resident, alleged that Dr Malhotra charged money for the TB medicine from his son. “He did not administer the medicine properly and my son had a relapse. His treatment has been started all over again. But we fear that he might have not become resistant to the drug,” he said.

“The RMP is prescribing allopathic medicines for heart diseases, kidney problems, hypertension and other ailments,” the residents alleged.

Irked over the inaction on the part of the ayurveda department and the district health and family welfare department, the residents have urged the Punjab health minister to get an FIR registered against the “quack”.

Interestingly, “BAMS” written on the board put up outside the clinic of Dr Malhotra was painted over in blue after a check conducted by the DAUO.

Dr Malhotra said his son, who was a qualified BAMS, sat in the clinic in the evening. “I am a registered medical practitioner, recognised by the Punjab government, and have been prescribing ayurvedic medicine for the last 35 years. No one has ever complained against me. This complaint is a result of a property dispute between me and some shopkeepers,” he claimed.

Ludhiana, April 9
With the state government once again rejecting the proposal of the Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) authorities to sell shops unit wise in a mall at Rani Jhansi road, the civic body will again try to sell it as a single unit.

Built on 2.22 acres, the mall was constructed by the LIT to attract shopkeepers who were moving towards Ghumar Mandi to run their businesses. But with over five years gone since its construction, the mall is in a shambles and the LIT has failed to get any buyer for it.

The five-storeyed mall, work on which was started in 2000, has two-storeyed underground parking in which around 250 cars can be parked. The LIT had kept the ground floor and first floor of the complex for commercial purpose while the second, third and fourth floors were to be used for offices and the fifth floor for residential apartments.

Though officials of the LIT had tried several times to convince the state government that due to the whopping reserve price of Rs 197 crore during the auction, buyers were not coming forward. So, the shops in the mall should be sold unit wise.

A few months ago, the LIT authorities had sent the proposal to the government, but the government asked the LIT to try to sell the mall as a single unit.

JS Pandher, Superintending Engineer (SE) of the civic body, said they would again try to sell the mall as a single unit.

Ludhiana, April 9
Four persons were booked for assaulting shopkeepers who were protesting against “musclemen” employed at a parking lot in Kitab Bazar here today.

The incident took place in the afternoon when shopkeepers led by Raj Gumbar and Jasmeet Singh Makkar of the electrical market association reached the parking lot to lodge their protest against last night’s incident of eve-teasing and thrashing of two shopkeepers allegedly by the musclemen of the parking lot.

Jaspal Singh Bunty, president of the Kitab Bazar market association, said “goons” at the parking lot thrashed Vikram Grover and his brother-in-law last night. The accused teased Vikram’s wife and when he objected to it, the accused thrashed him and his brother-in-law before fleeing.

Today, when shopkeepers of the electrical market reached the parking to lodge their protest, the musclemen again assaulted and injured a shopkeeper identified as Manpreet Singh.

The police has arrested four musclemen for assaulting shopkeepers.

Ludhiana, April 9
Swift action by the police foiled an attempt to encroach upon three acres of improvement trust land worth 200 crore located near Fortune Hotel here today.

The incident took place this afternoon when around 40 labourers, along with a JCB machine and a trolley full of construction material, reached the spot and started work.

In the meantime, residents of Indra Nagar, led by Congress leader Amarjit Singh Tikka, reached the spot and asked them to show documents proving ownership of property.

“When we asked them about the documents, the men took out weapons from the vehicle. They attacked us with sharp-edged weapons and even fired three shots. The police reached the spot on time and saved us,” Tikka said.

He added that on seeing the police, the labourers beat a hasty retreat. He claimed that Sanjiv, Sandeep and Nirbhay Singh sustained sword injuries and were rushed to the civil hospital here. The police were suspecting that the accused were from Model Town. The Model Town SHO said, “Besides a JCB machine and an SUV, we have confiscated industrial material. No one has been arrested so far, but the culprits will be nabbed soon.”

The residents thanked the police for taking timely action. Tikka revealed that it was the sixth attempt to encroach upon the land, but no one had been booked so far. “As revenue and district administration offices were closed today, the accused were trying to erect a boundary wall so that they could apply for a stay in court on Monday,” he said.

Ludhiana, April 9
Property dealer Surinder Kumar Saggu, who earned the wrath of MLA Darshan Singh Shivalik in connection with a land-grab case in Satjot Nagar, landed in the police net for allegedly selling a house on the basis of fake documents. The Station House Officer (SHO) Randhir Singh arrested Saggu following a complaint by Gurmail Singh of Sidhwan Bait who had alleged that Saggu sold him a house measuring 105 sq yd in the South City area for Rs 8.5 lakh on the basis of fake power of attorney.

Gurmail claimed that Saggu showed the house to him, claiming it belonged to Gurmeet Singh of Daad village. Gurmail agreed to buy it and paid him the money. He came to know about the fraud when he went to take the possession of the property a few days later. On reaching the house, he was shocked to find a couple, Neetu Bedi and Harjeet Singh, who claimed to be the owners of the house. Gurmail lodged a complaint and the police visited Daad village only to learn that no one by the name of Gurmeet Singh owned a property in South City area.

Ludhiana, April 9
Various social and political organisations continue to rally behind social activist and Gandhian Anna Hazare who had launched a crusade against corruption in New Delhi.

Expressing solidarity with the cause and movement launched by Anna Hazare, the Marxist Communist Party of India (United) said under the pressure of his untiring campaign, the Union government had to bow down and accept the framing of Lokpal Bill.

In a statement issued here today, National general secretary Jagjit Singh and Politburo members Kuldeep Singh and Prem Singh described it a victory of mass movement.

Similarly, Jan Saksham Foundation, an NGO, said the public faith in government institutions was now at an all-time low.

Endorsing the movement started by the leader, the office-bearers of the NGO said the movement to bring transparency and curbing corruption had come at the right time. They demanded stringent laws to prosecute corrupt government officials and politicians.

Similarly, secretary general of the Anti-Corruption Council of India Shiv Gupta, chairman Dev Dutt Sharma and vice-chairman BK Rampal congratulated the veteran leader for effectively mobilising the masses.

Ludhiana, April 9
The Canadian government has opened up new avenues for Indian students to pursue higher studies in various fields, including business management, accounting and engineering, in leading colleges and universities there.

This was stated by Mente Solberg, former citizen and immigration minister, Canada, who was in the city to address a seminar, while talking to this correspondent today.

“Other foreign countries were giving opportunities to students interested in hospitality courses alone. But we have brought out something unique as India students can now pursue higher education like graduation, post-graduation and diploma courses in various challenging fields.”

He invited students to pursue studies in hotel management, nursing and arts and science subjects in Canada. He also invited Indian skilled workers and traders to migrate to Canada.

People having skills in chemistry, statistics and mathematics are also needed in Canada, said Solberg, adding that there was a shortage of business persons and students in Canada and immigrants could fill the shortage and contribute to the growth.

Immigration between India and Canada should be encouraged to build stronger connections between the businesses of both nations, opined Solberg, who earlier inaugurated an immigration business office in Chandigarh.

Harminder Singh, who wishes to migrate to Canada, said: “An agency had duped me of around Rs 3 lakh on the pretext of getting me a visa. Now, I want to go through the legal channel. I talked to the former minister to know about the procedure. I will meet consultants in the Chandigarh office to submit a fresh application.”

Shivani Sharma, another aspirant, said: “I did my BBA from Panjab University, Chandigarh. I wish to go Canada for the higher studies in my field. Solberg has convinced me and he even named a few universities where I can apply,” said Shivani.

Ludhiana, April 9
Panic gripped Samrala Chowk after a goods container carrying Hyundai cars caught fire here this evening.

The driver was rescued by commuters and rushed to a local clinic as he sustained minor burn injuries.

The incident took place around 6:30 pm. The police swooped into action and cleared the area.

The incident led to a massive traffic jam. The reason for the fire was not known. According to the driver, no car was damaged.

Ludhiana, April 9
Taking the lead to cut down on academic stress and promote co-curricular activities among students, Kundan Vidya Mandir (KVM) organised an adventure camp, in accordance with CBSE guidelines, here today.

Enjoying every moment of mountaineering and Army exercises, the boys and girls of class VIII enjoyed the new learning experience, which was supervised by 12 experts from a private tourism company.

Taking pride in the adventure exercises, the students told the Ludhiana Tribune that they felt like doing the actual Army training.

“This is my first experience of hang from a rope. I was scared thinking what would happen if I fell. I felt on top of the world after completing the exercise,” said Rishabh. He insisted that he be allowed to repeat the exercise.

Harshit Jain took pride in saying he had no fear while hanging from a rope tied to the top of a 60-foot building. “I have tried my hand at mountaineering during adventure camps at hill stations, but doing it at my school was a new experience,” he said.

“It is tough to cross the commando bridge, made of ropes. I enjoyed hanging in ‘flying fox’ the most. It was like coming down in a lift,” said Shivali. She added that she would take part in mountaineering camps in the future.

Abhishek, a supervisor at the camp, said, “They are exposed to fun activities throughout the day to keep them exited.” Principal Navita Malik said the students would get marks of taking part in the camp, as per guidelines.

Ludhiana, April 9
Until now television soaps were considered to be the main cause behind the increasing number of divorce cases among newly married couples. But this time a director, actors and a producer of a TV serial have rubbed viewers the wrong way. The police has registered a case against Colors, a television channel and crew of the daily soap “Mukti Bandhan” for hurting the sentiments of a particular community.

President of the Bharatiya Valmiki Addi Dharam Samaj, DP Khosla, said characters of the television serial had made sarcastic comments against Lord Valmiki during one such episode. The organisation, which was looking after the welfare of a particular community, has lodged a formal complaint against the channel and crew with the Daresi police.

The police has registered a case against the writer, producer and actor Shobhna Desai, director Ramesh Talwar and anchor Ajit Dosani. A case against the channel has also been lodged in this regard.

Ludhiana: GGN Institute of Management & Technology (GGNIMT) organised a seminar on “.NET technology and its numerous job opportunities” for students of BCA and MCA here on Saturday. Puneet Singh, chief trainer of .NET at GNE, was the resource person. He defined .NET as a software framework for Microsoft Windows operating systems.

It included a library and supported several programming languages, he said.

Appreciating the technology, he said it not only helped one apply common skills across a variety of devices, application types and programming tasks, but also integrated with other tools and technologies to build the right solution with less work and more speed.

He explained the concept by discussing the major components and design principles of the technology along with its 3-tier architecture that makes it highly popular with the IT industries.

The resource person also demonstrated some live projects based on the .NET framework.

Ludhiana, April 9
The city police have booked five mobile phone dealers who had sold mobile connections to some persons without taking proper identification documents.

The dealers were booked under Sections 294, 419, 465, 468 and 471 of the IPC and Sections 66 and 67 of the Information and Technology Act, 2000.

They were identified as Guru Kirpa Electricals, Anoop Telecom, Guru Nanak Telecom, Gaba Electronics and Kapoor Telecom.

A case had been registered on the complaint of a woman, a resident of the Division Number 3 area of the city.

In her complaint to the police, she stated that some unknown persons had been giving between 40 and 50 missed calls on her son Rahul Jain’s mobile phone everyday for the past 10 months.

They had also been sending threatening messages everyday, she added.

Following this, the matter was thoroughly investigated by Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime).

During the course of investigation, when the police were trying to find out who had the phone numbers concerned, they failed to get details because the connections had been bought without taking proper identification documents.