NEIGHBOURHOOD

Miscreants offer liquor to leopard at Zoo
Gurdeep Singh Mann
Tribune News Service

Tug of war A youth playfully offers a straw to a leopard in its enclosure, in violation of the Wildlife Act, at the Chhat Bir Zoo on Saturday. Tribune photo: Nitin Mittal

Chhat (Banur), June 18
A section of visitors at Mahendra Chaudhary Zoological Park today tormented a caged leopard for nearly 30 minutes in the absence of the zookeeper and forced the feline to consume liquor. A cellular company had adopted the leopard under the Animal Adoption Scheme.

The incident took place around 3.30 pm in the presence of about 15 other visitors who were seen “enjoying” teasing of the poor animal by some youths. A visitor, pleading anonymity, said the boys were apparently in an inebriated condition and were forcing the animal to consume liquor diluted with cold drink.

Some visitors laughed as the leopard ran amok and roared due to the harassment. The youths even tried to put their fingers into the mouth of the animal, which made the leopard more infuriated.

A Tribune lensman captured the entire 30-minute teasing in his camera by taking at least 50 pictures.

The zookeeper arrived after around 30 minutes and by that time the teasers had left the place. Some visitors explained the matter to the zookeeper and told him to catch hold of the boys to pay fine or punishment, but nothing could be done.

Meanwhile, member of Punjab State Board for Wildlife Sandeep Kumar Jain, while demanding stringent action against the teasers, demanded an inquiry into the whole episode.

He said nobody could tease or feed any of the caged animals in any zoo.

The offender could be punished under Section 38-J of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, which prohibited teasing. “It says that no person shall tease, molest, injure or feed any animal or cause disturbance to the animals with noise or otherwise or litter the grounds in a zoo,” Jain said.

Any person who contravenes provisions of Section 38-J shall be punishable with the imprisonment for six months or with a fine, which may extend to Rs 2,000 or with both.

In case of subsequent offence the term of imprisonment may extend to one year or a fine, which may extend to Rs 5,000.

Jain said similar incidents were reported in the past as well wherein a bear killed a man who was trying to shake hand with the animal. In another incidence an exotic animal died after consuming plastic cap of a bottle that was thrown inside the enclosure by some visitor.

“It is usually seen that people throw packets of chips, bottles inside enclosures and people tease animals, but zookeepers hardly pay any heed,” he said.

Patiala, June 18
Donning heavy jewellery and dressed in colourful attires, eunuchs from all over India got together to take part in a shobha yatra here yesterday. A symbolic marriage was also performed.

Giving details of the yatra, Mahant Babita Haji said the meet was organised to pay tribute to their ancestors and also discuss their problems.

Emphasising that such platforms were crucial to resolving their disputes, she said their community did not go to courts to sort out their problems. All issues were resolved amongst themselves, she added.

“Like other people, even we have family disputes. Then there are problems related to area division and dera disputes. Fake eunuchs are another major concern. We try to find out ways to stop harassing people. Eunuchs who beg in trains, buses, etc. have nothing to do with us. They are all fraud,” she added.

Babita Haji had invited her friends from all over the country for the yatra to help them take a break from their mundane life. “We will organise Miss Kinner India-2011 on June 19, which will be followed by a series of cultural programmes,” she added.

Panchkula, June 18
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) here today brought one more accused on production warrant from Jaipur in the Samjhauta blasts case.

The accused, who has been identified as Lokesh Sharma, a resident of Madhya Pradesh and co-accused in the Ajmer blasts case, was brought by the NIA and produced before the special NIA court in Panchkula.

NIA Special Judge sent Lokesh Sharma to judicial custody in Ambala jail till July 1. Notably, the main accused in the case, Swami Aseemanand, was also languishing in Ambala jail.

The NIA counsel said Lokesh had also played important role in the Samjhauta blasts and had done recce besides taking part in various meetings where Samjhauta blasts conspiracy was hatched. Rajasthan anti-terrorists squad (ATS) had arrested Lokesh from Madhya Pradesh last year.

Sources said the NIA had also prepared the charge sheet and would be submitting the same before the special NIA court in Panchkula in the next few days.

The Samjhauta blasts case dates back to February 18, 2007, when 68 persons were killed when bombs were set off in two coaches of cross-country Samjhauta Express around midnight at Diwana village, near Panipat. Only 38 victims could be identified and most of them were Pakistani nationals on their return journey to Lahore.

Investigations in the case had found that six firebombs, along with timers, which were kept inside six suitcases, were purchased from an outlet in Indore. Thereafter, agencies did not find any other clue.

Chandigarh, June 18
In a case of fraud involving over Rs 1 crore, the economic offences wing of the Chandigarh Police today arrested another accused, Vineet Handa, from Fortis Hospital, Mohali. This is the second arrest in the case this week, with the police earlier arresting Vineet’s brother Vikas Handa, owners of Villa Pearls, on June 14 following a complaint by Sector-38 resident Rakesh Kumar Gupta.

In his complaint, Gupta had alleged that Ludhiana-based businessmen Vikas, Vineet and their father VK Handa, who deal in interior designing and decoration, had duped him over Rs 1 crore.

Gupta had claimed that the Handas had taken two cheques for Rs 75 lakh and Rs 25 lakh from him for renovating his showroom in Sector 5, Panchkula. However, after taking the money, they did not supply the material, Gupta had alleged. The deal was reportedly struck three years ago.

Chandigarh, June 18
Vinay Kumar Singal of Sector 38 (West) complained to the police that his car (CH 03 Q 8622) was stolen from Sector 17 on June 14.

A case under Section 379, IPC, has been registered at the police station-17.

In another case, Balwinder Singh of Dadu Majra Colony complained to the police that his car (CH 03 V 2116) was stolen from his residence on June 14. A case under Section 379, IPC, has been registered.

Similarly, Shubham Sarin of Sector 27 filed a complaint with the police alleging that his scooter (CH 49 T 9404) was stolen from Sector 20 on June 17. A case under Section 379 of the IPC has been registered at the police station-19. Also, Ravinder Singh of Sector 45 complained to the police that his motorcycle (HR 02 U 7472) was stolen from Sector 26 on June 11. A case under Section 379, IPC, has been registered at the police station-26.

Ambala, June 18
Rajinder Kumar (45), a head constable of the Ambala police deployed in MV section, has allegedly committed suicide at his residence by hanging himself from a ceiling fan. The cause of his extreme step could not be ascertained so far.

According to information, Rajinder, hailing from Jind, was residing in Police Lines quarter for the past several years. His wife and children were also living with him.

Chandigarh, June 18
NICS Academy defeated CCA and GNPS in the third Ashok Kumar Vij Memorial Cricket (U-14) Tournament being held at Banyan Tree School, Sector 48, here today. Batting first, local team set a target of 173 in the allotted 25 overs. Ram Bishoni made a brilliant ton off 68, whereas his counterpart Subham Chand contributed 29 runs in total.

For Patiala, Sukhjeet took two for 40.

In reply, NICS, Patiala, achieved the target in 24 overs with six wickets in hand.

Pathak contributed the most 42 off 27. For CCA and GNPS, Subham Chand took one for 31 and Ishan Mavi took one for 49.

Chandigarh, June 18
Arjuna awardee Harmeet Kahlon of Chandigarh carded a three under 69 in the final round for a six under 210 total to win the PGTI Feeder Tour event at the Ranjitgarh Golf Club, Phillaur, today.

Arjun Singh Chaudhri of Noida finished one stroke behind to occupy the second slot.

Forty-year-old Kahlon’s (71-70-69) exceptional short game powered him to the top of the leader board on the final day.

Harmeet, who was overnight tied fifth four strokes behind the leader, began round three converting a 15-foot birdie putt on the first hole.

Arjun Singh Chaudhri (71-68-72) finished as runner-up with a five under 211 total.

His final round of even par 72 included three birdies and three bogeys. Noida’s Pradeep Kumar and Chandigarh’s Harendra Gupta were tied third at four under 212.

Rajesh Kumar Rawat of Lucknow was a further stroke behind in fifth position.

Chandigarh, June 18
The match between Chandigarh and Jalandhar at the Sector-16 Cricket Stadium was again abandoned due to bad covering of wickets during the Punjab Inter-District (U-22) Cricket Championship here today.