NEIGHBOURHOOD

Court provides status quo on land acquisition
Land acquisition in Pinjore is a serious threat to forests
Our Correspondent

Kalka, May 18
Farmers of Kalka, Pinjore and its adjoining villages have heaved a sigh of relief, as the Supreme Court of India has granted status quo on the land acquisition process by the department of HUDA.

Vijay Bansal, president of Shiwalik Vikas Manch, said HUDA had started land acquisition of fertile land of farmers in Pinjore in 2006 for developing residential Sectors 27, 28 and 30 in Ferozepur, Surajpur, Rattpur, Manakpur Devi Lal, Manakpur Nanak Chand and Abdullapur villages of Pinjore block. This acquisition was opposed by residents. Bansal had issued legal notice to the state government regarding the land acquisition, following which Vijay Bansal and several farmers of the area had challenged the land acquisition process in Punjab and Haryana Court, but the PIL was quashed by the High Court on January 25, 2011.

The decision of the High Court was challenged in the Supreme Court, as farmers had filed an appeal in the Supreme Court. The Apex Court on May 5, 2011, granted status quo on the land acquisition process.

Notably, the land acquisition by HUDA is a serious threat to forests of Pinjore in Morni and violation of Land Preservation Act, 1927, and National Forest Policy.

Under the Haryana government’s notification of January 29, 1993, the Kalka Tehsil had been reserved for 30 years under the Punjab Land Act, 1900, which prohibited cutting and felling of trees in Kalka.

Ambala, May 18
In a bid to spread awareness on the bias against female children in the region, Emax Group of Institutions organised an awareness campaign in the nearby villages.

Awareness was spread through posters and slogans carrying messages to save girl child. A rally was also flagged off by college chairman.

More than 5,000 students, faculty members and village folks contributed by writing slogans.

College chairman called upon women to rise against social evil and protect girl child by not killing them in the womb.

He said the world was incomplete without women, but instances of killing girls in the womb were raising manifold and women needed to come forward to stop the killing of girls to ensure balance in the society.

Ambala, May 18
Maj RN Kapoor DAV Public Senior Secondary School celebrated its annual day function, in which Neelam Srow, wife of the Deputy Commissioner, was the chief guest. Principal Rekha Verma presented the annual school report tracing the progress made by the school in the session.

The chief guest distributed prizes to about 100 meritorious students. Thirteen students were honoured as gems of the school, who excelled in the field of academics as well as co-curricular activities.

Students also presented Haryanvi dance, ribbon dance and Jindwa.

Ropar, May 18
Ropar Deputy Commissioner GK Singh said farmers should use organic fertilisers in their fields. He had come to attend a meeting of the district agriculture development committee in Ropar.

He added that farmers should come out of the conventional wheat-paddy cycle and grow sugarcane, maize, cereals and vegetables. On May 19 and May 20, block-level farmer training camps would be held, he said.

He said the horticulture department should promote cultivation of flowers. He urged farmers to save water and go for direct sowing of paddy. Around 800 soil samples were collected from 25 villages of the district. ADCs Sucha Singh Mast, Sukhwinderpal Singh Marar, SDMs Lakhmir Singh, APS Sandhu, JC Sabharwal, chief agriculture officer (CAO) Dr Balwinder Singh and farmer representatives were present.

Dera Bassi, May 18
Central Investigative Agency (CIA) staff, Mohali, has arrested an iron thief near here and registered a case at the Dera Bassi Police Station.

The thief was identified as Chote Lal, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, who was running a shop at Mubarkpur where he used to sell old iron material. — OC

Zirakpur, May 18
Ram Murat, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, was booked by the police for allegedly abducting a minor girl from Peermuchhala, Zirakpur.

A case has been registered against him on the complaint of victim’s mother Ram Dulari, a resident of Peermuchhala.

In her complainant, Ram Dulari told the police that she went for her work on May 10. When she returned in the afternoon, she found that her daughter was missing from the house.

She alleged that the accused lured her daughter for marriage and took her away.

Mohali, May 18
The police has booked six members of a family on a charge of criminal breach of trust and demanding dowry.

According to police, Navdeep Kaur, a resident of Sector 71, had complained that she was allegedly harassed and beaten up by her in-laws for not bringing dowry.

They were demanding a car costing Rs 10 lakh.

The matter was inquired into by a senior official, after which a case under Sections 498 A and 406 of the IPC was registered against Harpreet Singh, Gurpreet Singh, Inderjit Kaur, Navdeep Singh, Surinder Kaur and Ravinder Kaur.

Chandigarh, May 18
Saupin’s School, Sector 32, entered the semifinals after defeating Strawberry Fields, Sector 26, 3-1 in St Soldier Football Trophy being organised by St Soldier International School on its premises in Sector 28.

In the first match, St John's School, Sector 26, will face Saupin's School, Sector 32, while in the second match, St Soldier will cross swords with St Kabir School, Sector 26, tomorrow.

Strawberry Fields, Sector 26, were defeated but not disgraced as their goalkeeper Sahil put up an outstanding performance. Showing his fine reflexes, he saved at least 10 sure goals as Saupin's School fought the battle virtually inside the rival territory.

Sahil did not allow the ball to cross the goal line in the first half and in the process also suffered injuries but he continued to defend the goal with the same vigour.

It was Shivneet, who scored the much-needed goal for Saupin's in the 44th minute. Four minutes later Amitoj unleashed a powerful shot from 25 yards.

Strawberry Fields reduced the margin as Mollick pierced the Saupin's defence to score the lone goal for Strawberry. Saupin's increased the victory margin in the 51st minute. Karanbir sent a goal floater from the flag kick and Jashan smartly punched the ball into the corner with a header to give Saupin's a 3-1 lead. They could have won by a much bigger margin, had they capitalised on all chances which came their way.

Earlier, Strawberry Fields were awarded the match against DAV Senior Secondary School, Sector 8, as the latter failed to produce the original date of birth certificates of their players. Strawberry Fields had raised the matter that DAVSSS-8 had fielded over-aged players in their match yesterday. DAVSSS-8 defeated Strawberry 3-0.

Amrik Singh, a member of the Jury of Appeal, asked DAVSSS-8 team to produce the original date of birth certificates of the players in question. However, DAVSSS-8 team did not produce the required documents and the match was awarded to Strawberry and DAVSSS-8 team was scratched.

St Kabir School eked out a narrow 1-0 win over spirited Government High School, Sector 26, in the second quarter-final match. The all-important goal was scored by Yuvraj in the 22nd minute.

St John's and St Soldier International School registered facile victories in their quarter-final matches. Defending champions St John's outplayed Government Model School, Sector 10, 4-0. Parseej (second), Aman (10th, 19th) and Manraj (45th) were their scorers. St Soldier International beat Mount Carmel, Sector 47, 3-0.

Chandigarh, May 18
An all-round performance by Hardik Chaudhary (4 for 20 and 27 runs not out) helped Satluj Cricket Academy, Sector 4, Panchkula, beat Shivalik Public School, Mohali, by nine wickets in KK Cup U-15 Cricket Tournament held at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 40, here today.

Batting first, Shivalik Public School failed to face the fine line and length bowling of Satluj academy and were bundled out at 51 runs. Maninder Singh (13) was the only batsman who faced the challenge with some courage. For Satluj, Sandeep Dhiman took four wickets for 20 runs, while Hardik Chaudhary impressed with his bowling figure of 3 for 4 runs.

In reply, Satluj Cricket Academy achieved the target in just 8.1 overs scoring 55 runs and losing only one wicket in the process. Hardik Chaudhary was the main batsman who hit all around the ground and remained unbeaten on his individual score of 27 runs.

In the second match, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Academy, Nangal, beat Guru Harkrishan Academy, Dera Bassi, by 54 runs.

Batting first, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Academy were all out at 162 runs. Neeraj Bal 29 and Sandal 27 were the main scorers.

For Guru Harkrishan Academy, Sunny Singh and Rahul took three wickets each giving away 27 and 21 runs, respectively.

In reply, Guru Harkrishan Academy failed to achieve the target and were bundled out for 108 runs. Anurag 31 and Parichay 32 were the main scorers.

For Shaheed Bhagat Singh Academy, Sandal was the pick of he bowlers as he scalped three wickets for 13 runs. Shubham with two for one was the other wicket taker.