Moga, August 8
Normal life was thrown out of gear due to the heavy downpour in Moga town today. The lashing rains exposed the hollow claims of the local civic body as the sewerage systems were choked and low-lying areas in and around the town were inundated.

The rains started at about 1 in the afternoon and were still continuing when the report was being filed. There were also reports of downpour in Dharamkot, Kot-ise-Khan, Baghapurana and Nihalsinghwala areas of the district. 

Almost all the roads and streets of the town were submerged in water. The Dashmesh Nagar, Gobindgarh Basti, New Town area, Rajinder Nagar, Akalsar Road and other adjoining localities of the town had been worst hit by the rains.

The narrow by-lanes in the old town area had been blocked due to waterlogging. Poor sewerage system in these areas has led to waterlogging and there were reports of water entering the houses at many places.

Hundreds of vehicles including four-wheelers and two-wheelers were stranded on the roads and in the streets.

The situation was worse in areas where the installation of new sewerage lines is going on. School children faced hardship in reaching their home. Traffic was almost halted for a few hours in the heavy downpour with people seen standing under shelters at shops in the main markets, which were also submerged under water.

The four-km stretch of the main market road was constructed a few weeks back with a new sewerage system, which did not work in the rains. Sources in the civic body revealed that the pipeline under the road has not been attached to the main pipeline resulting in waterlogging.

The residents of Moga town complained that most water draining pumps attached to the sewer lines did not work during the day adding to the woes of the people. 

On the other hand, Agricultural Officer Dr Jaswinder Singh Brar said the first spell of monsoon rains in Moga district was beneficial for both paddy and cotton as its soil had more absorption power. However, if the trend continued in the coming days, it could prove harmful to the cotton crop, he said.

Bathinda, August 8
The much awaited spell of showers today brought the much needed respite from the sweltering heat and perked up the sagging spirit of the cotton farmers.

Light showers in the city resulted in a dip in mercury by three degree Celsius. The maximum temperature recorded on Sunday was 36.6 degree Celsius, while today, at 2:30 pm, it was registered at 33 degree Celsius.

As it started raining in the evening, the temperature plunged further. Weather experts said the temperature in rural areas had fallen further by a degree.

Rains also gave cotton farmers reasons to smile. Chief Agriculture Officer Paramjit Singh Sandhu said the cotton crop had been under white fly attack for the past fortnight due to the dry winds blowing in the region. “Rains would mitigate the further spread of white fly attack in the entire cotton belt and is beneficial for the plant’s health,” he said.

Meanwhile, general physician Dr Vitull Gupta said that while the rains have brought relief to the patients of bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis and other respiratory problems, it might result in the spread of water-borne diseases.

Bathinda, August 8
Thirteen Police Station Outreach Centres (PSOCs) and a Suvidha Kendra today began in the Bathinda district on trial basis.

Even as the setting up of these centres have been completed, they could not be opened so far as the election code of conduct was in force ahead of the SGPC elections. The code of conduct barred political leaders from inaugurating the new project.

At these centres, counselling related to domestic violence, free legal aid and a help desk would be available to the public.

Besides, people may obtain copy of FIRs registered in any part of the state and could keep a tab on the police verification of passport and other documents.

Senior police officials pleading anonymity admitted the delay in the scheme due to the election code of conduct.

Out of the 77 Suvidha Kendras in Punjab, one has been set up in Bathinda (Talwandi Sabo) and out of 37 PSOCs, 13 have been established in the district.

The PSOCs (at police station level) will function under the Suvidha Kendras where a DSP level official will assist the public.

Six more Suvidha Kendras will reportedly by set up in the Bathinda district.

Though the government decided to open PSOCs in all 18 police stations of the district but could not do so due to lack of infrastructure or other problems in five police stations.

Under the project, around Rs 1.75 crores have been spent to raise buildings and installing computers and other electronic equipment at the centres.

Police officials deployed at these centres said they have undergone 7 to 15 days of training on operation of software. They added that so far, FIRs of the past seven months had been uploaded in the computer software, which people may obtain free of cost at present.

Later, nominal fees would be charged for the same, they pointed out.

SP (Headquarter) Amarjeet Singh said the process of setting up these centres in police stations and Suvidha Kendras at the sub-division level was almost complete and people will soon start getting the benefits of the scheme.

The PSOCs have come up at Kotwali police station, Civil Lines police station, Canal Colony police station, and Thermal police station in Bathinda besides the police stations at Naihanwala, Nathana, Phul, Sadar Rampura, City Ramura, Kot Fatta, Maur, Raman Mandi and Sangat. 

Bathinda, August 8
Due to the state government's apathy, the local Government Children's Home for the deserted, neglected and destitute children is in a state of neglect. At present, 16 children are residing in the Home which caters to seven districts of Bathinda, Mansa, Muktsar, Moga, Faridkot, Ferozepur and Fazilka.

Of the 16 children here, three are deserted or abandoned and don't know anything about their parents while two are from Ferozepur district whose mothers have passed away while fathers are languishing in jail. Three children are from Muktsar district and eight from Bathinda district. All of them are studying in elementary and high schools here. Besides education, the Home also provides them with daily meals arranged with the funds issued by the state government.

It is surprising that though the Home should be having a regular superintendent to take its overall care but the post has been lying vacant for over seven years. The affairs of the Home are being managed by the government by giving additional charge to other officials. Some years ago, the additional charge was reportedly with the District Social Security Officer while it is with the District Programme Officer for the past three years.

It is learnt that in view of the safety and protection of the children, the post of the superintendent is of residential nature which means that the superintendent's residential accommodation should be on the premises of the Children's Home. But it seems to be a far cry as the Home does not even have a regular superintendent for the past many years.

Besides, the shortage of staff is also quite evident. In view of the eight-hour duty, four watch and ward staff are required for the Home, including one reliever. However, there are two sanctioned posts of watch and ward staff of which one is lying vacant. But for the vacant post, a person from the office of the District Social Security Office, Ferozepur, has been deputed here on a temporary basis to look after the children. However, one person comes here from Talwandi Sabo to perform duty as a reliever. Thus, the Home is being run by making temporary arrangements.

It is also a matter of concern that the Home does not have its own building. It is being run in a rented building in the local Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar here for the last decade. Nonetheless, the Home also has some positive features. The authorities have provided a TV set along with cable connection for the recreation of the children here. Besides, a reverse osmosis (RO) system has also been installed to ensure pure drinking water supply to the inhabitants.

Fazilka/ Abohar/Ferozepur, August 8
Fazilka SSP RK Sharda inaugurated the newly-constructed Community Policing Suvidha Centre (CPSC) in the local police station compound here today on a trial basis. A total of three counters have been set up at the Suvidha centre.

At these counters, the copies of FIR, no objection certificate (NOC), security and loud speaker permission, passport report, character certificate, verification regarding jobs, verification certification for registration of vehicles, sanction for parole to under-trials, crime reports, burglary, foreign and fake currency cases, travel agents cases, progress report regarding NRI cases and lost passports would be provided free of cost.

The SSP informed that computerised suvidha centres are directly attached to outreach centres set up at police stations in the respective sub-divisions. He added that the services would be provided free of cost by the time the centres start functioning regularly. Thereafter, the applicants need to pay the government approved nominal fee.

Fazilka SDM Charandev Singh Mann, DSP Karamjit Singh and other police officials also attended the programme. Some of the representatives of NGOs were also present on the occasion.

Similar centres (CPSC) are being set up in Jalalabad and Abohar sub-divisions of Fazilka district. The people of the two sub-divisions would now have to cover a distance of 30 kilometers only while earlier they had to travel from 60-140 kilometres. The residents of Fazilka would get the services at their doorstep.

In Abohar, Community Police Suvidha Centre (CPSC) became functional after Fazilka SSP Rajinder Kumar Sharda informally conducted its trial at the police complex near Malout road chowk today.

However, he made it clear that it would be formally inaugurated by some VIP later. The SSP informed that ASI Baljeet Singh would be in-charge of the Suvidha Centre. Later, he held meeting with senior police and BSF officials to ensure foolproof security arrangements on Independence Day.

Meanwhile, Paramraj Singh, DIG, Ferozepur Range, while inaugurating a smiliar Suvidha Centre in Ferozpur today, said that to bring transparency in the police functioning, the department has established outreach centres at all police stations. Besides, Suvidha Centres were being set up at the block levels.

The DIG added that for the convenience of the common man, the Suvidha Centre has been given a homely ambience.

On the occasion, SSP Surjit Singh said two suvidha centres have been established in Ferozepur and Zira sub-divisions while two more centres were under construction in the Ferozepur rural and Guruharsahai segments.

The SSP said requisite manpower and equipment have been provided at these centres. He further informed that all reports regarding the Human Rights Commission and RTI would be made online at these centres. NRIs can also use the facilities at these centres, he added.

Abohar, August 8
Mealy bug has targeted most of the peepal trees that were grown during the past century on the roadsides here.

A social activist and crop care consultant Sunil Periwal on Sunday deployed some trained volunteers for spraying insecticides on such trees at the old grain market, railway station, gaushala, Sriganganagar road, Khatu Shyam temple and ancient Johari Mandir complex.

Insecticides were provided by the globally known leading manufacturers Sygenta and Excel. Periwal said scores of residents had complained that drops fell on them as they passed under these trees. Skin specialists confirmed that many patients, who were treated during the past week, were affected by the drops that poured from peepal leaves.

Moga, August 8
Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal has released another list of 66 SGPC candidates adding to a total of 130 candidates, so far. The names of the remaining 40 candidates are likely to be released by tomorrow morning.

Interestingly, the SAD has entered into a pact with the Sant Samaj to contest the election together. The Sant Samaj has been given 30 seats of the 170 seats.

Interestingly, former education minister Jathedar Tota Singh who is also a member of the core committee of the ruling SAD has also been named in the list to contest the SGPC elections from Moga constituency. Earlier, he remained a senior vice-president of the SGPC and a member of the SGPC from 1977 to 1994 for 17 years.

Sources in the SAD revealed that Tota Singh is an aspirant for the post of the President of the SGPC. However, while talking to The Tribune, he did not comment saying if the party decides he would accept the top post for the management of Sikh religious institutions.

But at the same time, he said that he also desires to contest the coming assembly elections. "There is no bar on SGPC members contesting the assembly elections. Many MLAs are also contesting these elections and some of the SGPC members may also be fielded in the assembly elections."

In the Malwa belt, the SAD candidates for the SGPC elections in Ferozepur district are Suba Singh Dabwali from Fazilka and Darshan Singh Brar from Jalalabad. In Muktsar district, the candidates are Dyal Singh Kolianwali from Malout, Bikar Singh Channu from Malout (SC), Gurpal Singh Gora from Gidderbaha and Kiranbir Kaur from Gidderbaha (women) and Navtej Singh Kauni from Doda.

In Faridkot district, Sukhdev Singh Bath from Jaito, Sher Singh Mandwala from Kotkapura, Lakhmir Singh Araianwala from Faridkot and Gurminder Kaur from Faridkot (women), will contest the SGPC elections.

In Mansa district, Master Mithu Singh Kahanke from Mansa, Manjit Singh Bapiana from Joga, Baba Buta Singh from Mansa (SC) and Baba Sukhchain Singh from Budhlada will enter the fray.

In Moga district, Jathedar Tota Singh from Moga, Tarsem Singh Rattian from Ghal Kalan, Jaswinder Kaur, wife of Gurlabh Singh from Ghal Kalan (women), Sukh Harpreet Singh, son of Randhir Singh Rode from Baghapurana, Gurmail Singh Sangatpura from Nihalsinghwala, Jugraj Singh Daudhar from Badhni Kalan, Narinder Kaur, wife of Harinder Singh from Badhni Kalan (women) and Resham Singh from Moga (SC), will contest.

In Bathinda district, Sukhdev Singh Bahia from Bathinda, Gurtej Singh Dhadde from Maur, Phuman Singh from Bhagta, Captain Avtar Singh from Bhagta (SC), Amrik Singh Nambardar from Balluana and Joginder Kaur from Balluana (women) will fight elections.

In Barnala district, Darbar Singh Chhiniwal from Chananwal and Baba Balbir Singh Ghunas MLA from Chananwal (SC) will enter poll arena.

Bathinda, August 8
The court of Phul sub-divisional judicial magistrate Harinder Singh Gill today awarded life sentence to a couple from the Phul area for beating and causing subsequent death of a four-year-old child.

In his statement to the police, Jagtar Singh, a resident of Phul, alleged that on August 8 last year, the accused couple, Bhola Singh and his wife Binder Kaur, came to his house and started abusing him. While Bhola Singh was armed with a sharp-edged weapon, Binder Kaur was carrying a heavy wooden bar. They wanted to forcibly take over the possession of Jagtar’s house. Jagtar worked as a labourer and had two sons and a daughter.

When Jagtar and his family came out of the house, the duo attacked them. Bhola hit Jagtar’s four-year-old son Sagar Singh alias Sonu in his head, due to which the latter fell on the ground. Thereafter, Binder dealt Sonu another blow.

The child was taken to the Civil Hospital, Rampura, but the doctors referred him to the Adesh Medical College and Hospital. He was further referred to the Civil Hospital, Bathinda, but he died on the way to Bathinda.

Complainant Jagtar Singh had also accused one Dharam Singh, a resident of Phul, for instigating the accused to commit the crime. The court, however, acquitted Dharam Singh.

Bhola, who is a driver by profession, and his wife Binder were awarded life sentence and a fine of Rs 10,000. In case of non-payment of fine, they will have to undergo an additional imprisonment of six months.

Bathinda, August 8
A local Congress leader was attacked by two youngsters with an aim of looting while he was strolling near his residence on the Namdev Marg falling under the Civil Lines police station on Sunday night.The leader fired gun shots in the air in defence.

In his complaint to the police, PPCC secretary Chaudhary Ravinder Kumar Rosy alleged that two scooterists attacked him with a sword while he was strolling near the Street No 1-A of Namdev Marg.

“One of the two scooterists attacked with a sword from front, but I escaped. I managed to grab my licensed revolver while falling down and threatened to fire. They managed to flee on scooter as I fired a gun shot in air,” the Congress leader said.

He informed the police control room and the area SHO over phone and the police rounded up some youngsters late in the night. Rosy, however, did not identify any of them as the attackers. However, when the police called him up again this morning, he identified the attackers.

The police said the accused had been identified as Varun Kumar and Vikram alias Dimple, both residents of Bathinda city.

During interrogation, they confessed to having committed four robberies last night wherein they attacked some women, a poor labourer and a resident of the city near Hanuman Chowk.

The police said the accused were already facing similar crimes at other police stations as well and were arrested for the second time.

Fresh cases would be slapped on the accused duo, the cops said. Two gold rings, two mobile phones, a laptop and three ATM cards had been recovered from their possession, they added.

Bathinda, August 8
Three LPG cylinders were stolen from the primary school in Kot Shamir village.

School teachers said it was the third time in the past few months when thieves attacked the school. This time, they scaled the boundary walls of the school and broke open the iron pillars of the kitchen where food for the mid-day meal was prepared. On February 3, water taps and doors of the school toilet went missing and on February 21, the locks were found broken but nothing was stolen. School authorities have lodged a complaint at Kot Fatta police station.

Police officials said they had registered a case in this regard and efforts were on to nab the culprits. — TNS

Bathinda, August 8
One person was killed while eight others sustained injuries separate mishaps today.

A man's body was found cut in two pieces on the Dabwali-Bathinda railway line near village Jassi Baghwali. The deceased was identified as 23-year-old Sukhbir Singh, a resident of village Dhunike. He used to work as a bus conductor but had been out of work for the past two months.

In a road accident, a couple sustained injuries near the Bibiwala Chowk. The couple has been identified as Kanhaiya Khushal and his wife Reeta Devi Khushal. Both are undergoing treatment.

Three motorcyclists were injured in an accident near the Bibiwala Chowk when a truck hit their vehicle. The injured have been identified as Anu, Rahul and Asin from the local Kamla Nehru colony.

Two persons were injured in the Sirki Bazar while riding a scooter. The injured have been identified as 50-year-old Om Prakash and 20-year-old Anil Kumar, both residents of the Sirki Bazar.

Sriganganagar, August 8
Attempts to smuggle 5.65 quintals of poppy husk to Punjab have been foiled by the Rajasthan police. One Baljeet Singh of Ludhiana has been arrested while others managed to escape. Two luxury vehicles which were being used for smuggling the drugs have also been seized.

As per the information, IPS (probationer) Saurabh Tiwari was leading a naka at the Arjunsar terminal on the state highway that connects Hanumangarh district with Abohar (Punjab).

A Skoda luxury car bearing a Haryana registration number plate was diverted by the driver towards village Gulabgarh to escape interception. The police chased the vehicle but the driver and his accomplice fled taking advantage of the darkness leaving behind the vehicle.

The search led to the recovery of 265 kg poppy husk in the car. A case against unidentified persons has been registered under the NDPS Act. The registration authorities in Haryana are being contacted to verify the registration number and identify the owner of the car, police said.

During another interception near village Dhadhar, the police recovered three quintals of poppy husk from a Scorpio that too had a Haryana registration number plate. Its driver identified as Baljeet Singh of village Shingarpura (Rayya) in the Ludhiana district has been arrested under the NDPS Act. His accomplice managed to flee. Preliminary investigation indicated that the poppy husk was purchased from Sikar district for sale in Punjab.

Since the licence of poppy husk contractors in the Hanumangarh district, neighbouring Abohar, had been suspended following detection of anomalies recently, Punjab-based smugglers were now visiting Sikar and other districts in Rajasthan to purchase poppy husk, the probe reportedly indicated.

Muktsar, August 8
A newly-married woman was allegedly thrown into a canal by her husband barely a week after her marriage. As per the statement of the family members and police, the boy did not like his wife and was also demanding dowry.

Lakhewali police station in-charge Davinder Singh said a case in this connection has been registered against Parminder Kumar, the husband of the deceased. He was running a grocery shop at village Bhangewala.

The marriage was fixed with the consent of both the families. He got married to Sandhya on August 1 at Muktsar. The girl’s kin said they had spent money according to their capacity and fulfilled all the demands of the boy’s family members.

The girl went to her parents’ house on August 5 and the boy went to take back his newly-wed wife on August 7. They both decided to walk around and reached near the Rupana canal. The boy had allegedly thrown the girl into the canal and fled. The body was recovered today and postmortem was conducted. 

Moga, August 8
An unmarried Dalit couple allegedly committed suicide by hanging themselves with a rope from a tree at village Thathi Bhai in Baghapurana sub-division of the Moga district, late last night. The incident was reported to the police on Monday. The police recovered the bodies and sent them for post-mortem to the district hospital here.

Preliminary findings of the police revealed that the couple wanted to marry. However, the parents of the deceased girl Sunita (18), a student of Class XI, had engaged her to some other youth on Sunday against her wish. She was in love with 19-year-old Jaswant Singh, also a resident of the same village.

The police findings further revealed that the youth called her to his cattle yard on Sunday at night and they committed suicide. The police had initiated inquest proceedings under section 174 of the CrPC into the incident.