Ludhiana, September 3
It appears the days when Punjabi women were known for their physical prowess are gone. During the first day of the physical fitness tests conducted for recruitment of sub inspectors on the Punjab Agricultural University campus more than 20 female candidates collapsed from heat stroke and exhaustion.

While some of the girls did not finish an 800 metre race in the allotted 4:30 seconds, many others complained of cramps and refused to participate in the other fitness tests after completing the race.

Nearly 300 female candidates from across Punjab signed up for the physical fitness tests on Saturday but less than 70 managed to clear them, according to sources. The girls blamed their poor performance on the sweltering humidity.

Said Sunita, one of the candidates who collapsed due to heatstroke: “It was very hot and humid. After completing one round I began feeling dizzy and I’ve no idea when I collapsed”.

A cop who was watching the proceedings said many girls “fainted” because they were running on empty stomach. They were here at the break of the dawn. They should have eaten something for breakfast before the physical tests,” he said.

Most of the girls who had applied for the post of police subinspector were already employed in various government departments.

“It was very surprising to see schoolteachers and girls working in the police department’s intelligence wing taking part for the subinspectors' exam,” said the police officer conducting the physical fitness tests.

Ravinder Kaur, a candidate from Bathinda, quipped: “Khakhi has its own charm and its own aura. I am working in the intelligence department, but still I want to be selected as a subinspector. After the army the police is the job that gives respect and job security.”

Ludhiana, September 3
Two labourers were injured when the roof of five dwelling units located in Kali Sarak area near Jodhewal Basti came crashing down upon them. The incident took place around 8 am here this morning, when the five dwelling units owned by Kapil and Sunil collapsed.

Gagan and Rajesh, who sustained injuries, said they were about to leave for work when the roof suddenly collapsed on them.

Fortunately, the residents rescued the duo, who were buried under the rubble, and rushed them to hospital. They sustained multiple injuries but they are stated to be out of danger.

Substandard material is being cited as a possible reason for the roof collapse. Residents said the incident could have been tragic had it occurred in the wee hours when the labourers were asleep. When the roof collapsed, a majority of the labourers had left for work.

Ludhiana, September 3
The newly appointed chief medical officer of Ludhiana, Dr Dalip Kumar, reportedly got irritated on Friday during his first meeting with his staff when he noticed some female employees dressed in “western” attire. According to sources, “Kumar issued verbal instructions to all present at the meeting to maintain office decorum and come in ‘Hindustani’ attire while avoiding ‘western’ dresses. He said this when he saw some female employees who had come to attend the meeting dressed in western clothes like jeans and tops."

This evoked the ire of the female staff who asserted the department had not set an office “dress code” for women. An employee told The Tribune: "Rather, we feel more active in such clothes”

However, when contacted, Kumar denied he had issued any such “verbal instructions.” “I didn’t ask anyone not to wear ‘western’ outfits, but I did ask all the employees including doctors to wear lab coats. At least a doctor should look like a doctor. When lawyers and other officials wear a proper dress the doctors and staff should also wear white coats with identification badges. This is because when anyone visits the health department’s offices one should be able to identify the right professional."

Commenting on the staff working at the city’s Civil Hospital, he said: “Most of the staff members are local residents and some have an attitude that needs to be corrected. I know I have a big task ahead but I’ll do it."

Ludhiana, September 3
Despite a heavy rush on the national highway, the Satluj Bridge today was an attraction for every passerby where volunteers of RBS Roots, an NGO, along with students fo BCM Arya Model Senior secondary School, Shastri Nagar, made a human chain to make people aware about the increasing levels of pollution and methods to control it. From making paintings based on environment to mike announcements, they conveyed their message of not polluting Satluj or any other water source.

Dr Amandeep Singh Bains, project coordinator of the NGO, said, "We involved 65 students of the school along with their six teachers for this awareness campaign on the Satluj Bridge under the project "Panj paani."

The students also started a signature campaign on which they took assurance from the passerby that they would take care of the environment and not pollute it any more. they convinced people not to throw plastic, glass of religious photo frames and industrial waste directly into the river. The students and teachers of BCM school told people about the adverse effects on biodiversity and coming generation."

Ludhiana, September 3
Tightening its noose over gas agencies violating rules, three gas agencies in the district have been fined more than Rs 3 lakh each by oil companies. A number of complaints had been received against these agencies.

The District and Food Supplies Controller (DFSC) had held a meeting with the representatives of oil companies here yesterday and directions were issued that consumers should not be harassed. The agencies have been told to improve their dealings with consumers as several complaints had been received.

A member who attended the meeting said on the condition of anonymity that the agencies were fined by the oil companies following violations and the department had also sent its inquiry report to the companies. “On checking, several discrepancies were found. Consumers had complained that the agencies never delivered LPG cylinders on time and the cylinders were under-weight,” he said.

Sunil Kumar, district coordinator of the companies, said: “I am not entitled to comment. What is the urgency to highlight this issue?”

Rajnish Kumari, DFSC, said the department had complained to the oil companies several times, but the action had taken delayed.

Ludhiana, September 3
Continuing the campaign to check the sale of low quality poly bags, a team of the Punjab Pollution Control Board and the Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana, today raided Khurana Karyana Store at Railway Colony and seized more than 10 quintals of poly bags.

According to Dr Vipul Malhotra, medical officer of the Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana, said, "We seized coloured polythene bags from an auto-rickshaw (PB 10 CS 4319) which was standing near the Khurana Karyana Store opened in quarter number 352 of the Railway Colony. As the owner of this godwon was not there, so we also seized the 10 quintals , 20 kilogram polythenes from the godown and handed over these to the Punjab Pollution Control Board. "

Nishu Ghai, sanitary inspector, MC, Ludhiana, and Pardeep Balu, SDO, PPCB, were also accompanying Malhotra during this raid.

Malhotra further said," These were coloured polythenes which were of less than 30 micron- thickness, and that is against the norms. He said, "The PPCB as well as MC will take action against the owner of the shop."

Earlier on September 1,too more than 3 quintal poly bags were seized from two shops at Jassian Road and at Chnader Nagar road.

Ludhiana, September 3
Two persons fell prey to snatchers after they were told that currency notes were lying on the ground at Fountain chowk today. The snatchers snatched a purse containing Rs 1.25 lakh cash and gold jewellery and a bag containing Rs 20,000.

The first incident took place when the victim Shakuntla, a resident of Chawa village in Khanna, said her driver had gone to buy an ice cream when a youth approached her and told her that she had dropped her money on the road. The moment she opened the door of the car to pick up the money the youth snatched her purse and fled from the spot.

Another victim Munshi Ram, a businessman of Chura Bazar said he was sitting in his car after visiting a charted accountant; a youth approached him and told him to pick the money lying on the ground. When Munshi came out of the car, the snatcher took his bag and fled from the scene.

Police has started the investigation. No case was registered till the filing of this report.

Ludhiana, September 3
Day after the firing incident at SD Kamla Lotiya College, in which one outsider sustained a bullet injury and scores of students hurt following a group clash, the police criticised the college authorities for not coordinating in the investigation process.

Assistant commissioner of police (ACP) Naginder Singh Rana stated that the college principal was not cooperating in the investigation of the case.

"They have not provided us the close circuit television (CCTV) camera footages of the incident. We came to know that the students were creating ruckus for over an hour but the principal did not bother to call us and inform the police so that the incident could be averted. If the principal had called us when the youths had assembled on the college premises the incident would have been averted," said Rana.

He further added that the police had raided the house of all the accused today, but failed to nab anyone.

Ludhiana, September 3
The Model Town police has recovered a .32 bore countrymade revolver and a toy pistol from a manager of a prominent restaurant and hookah bar located in the Sarabha Nagar main Market. The accused, identified as Jasdeep Singh alias Gagan alias Jassi, son of Ravinder Singh, resident of Akaalgarh village, was arrested following a tip off.

The police team led by inspector Navreet Singh Virk, SHO of Model Town police station, detained Jasdeep Singh yesterday.

While addressing a press conference today, Satvir Singh Atlwal, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP) II, informed that Jasdeep was working as a manager at a prominent restaurant and hookah bar located in the Sarabha Nagar main Market.

During the course of investigation, Jasdeep Singh disclosed that he and his brother Jangi were having some a conflict with Arvinder Singh, Surjit Singh, both residents of Akaalgarh area of Sudhar. "Both Arvinder and Surjit had got a case registered against me and that is why we wanted to teach them a lesson. That is why, I bought this revolver," Jasdeep told the police.

After his arrest, the police has registered a case under Sections 25, 54 and 59 of the IPC against Jasdeep Singh at the Model Town police station.

Ludhiana, September 3
A 31-year-old homeguard committed suicide by hanging himself to a ceiling fan at his house, located in the Maya Nagar area, here, today.

The victim identified as Kamla Prasad, was spotted hanging from the ceiling of a fan by the owner of the house, who further informed the police about the incident.

Kamla Prasad was married twice and has four children. The incident took place when he was alone in the house.

The police has not yet found any suicide note. In the meantime, the police has launched an inquest proceeding under Section 174 of the CrPc.

Ludhiana, September 3
Khalsa School, Ludhiana, along with Government Model Senior Secondary School, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, and Mansa district wrapped up their quarterfinal matches to secure berths in the last stage in the girl’s U-13 category of the second edition of Mahindra NBA Challenge Basketball League Season II being held at Guru Nanak Sports Complex here.

In the first quarterfinal, Khalsa School managed to scrape past Gymkhana Club, Ludhiana, 14-10. At half time, the winning side was leading 10-3. Swachta netted 10 points for Khalsa School, while Harmanpreet Kaur was the lone scorer for the losing side. She accounted for 10 points.

In another match, Mansa district outplayed Doraha Public School, Doraha, 35-15 with the main contribution coming through Harpreet Kaur, who dropped 19 baskets.

In the third quarterfinal, Government Model Senior Secondary School, PAU, squeezed past Faridkot district 22-6 after leading 8-3 at the end of second quarter. Meenu contributed 10 points to the winning side.

In the boy’s U-13 section, Gymkhana Club, Ludhiana, beat Doraha Public School 42-15 to enter the last stage.

Praveen scored 23 points for Gymkhana Club, while Navpreet Kaur waged a spirited battle for the losing side by chipping in with 11 points.

The second team that booked a place in the semi final in the boys U-13 group was Sangrur district which got the better of DAV Public School, BRS Nagar branch, 46-38.

Jagdeep scored 15 points for the winners and Shivam contributed 17 points to the losing side.

Ludhiana, September 3
Abhinav Bhatia scored 134 runs while Sandeep Singh grabbed five wickets which helped Ludhiana to script an easy victory on the basis of first innings lead against Sangrur in the opening match of the Punjab State Inter-District Cricket Tournament (u-19) for the Dhruv Pandove Trophy here today.

In reply to Ludhiana's first innings a total of 318 runs, Sangrur could muster 112 runs in their first essay. The tournament is being organised by the Ludhiana District Cricket Association under the ageis of Punjab Cricket Association at Punjab Agricultural University campus ground.

Ludhiana won the toss and opted to bat first. The hosts went on to score 318 runs in 84.1 overs. Their innings revolved around Abhinav Bhatia and Abhishek Talwar who chipped in with 134 and 44 runs, respectively.

Other notable contributors were Devinder Sidhu (38), Chirag Maria (28), Sunny Pandey (24) and Ajit (16).

For the visitors, Md. Johaib was the pick of bowlers who took four wickets for 122 runs while Muzammin accounted for two wickets for 82 runs and Charanjit Singh too grabbed two wickets for 32 runs.

Sangrur were bundled out for 112 runs in 59.5 overs. Muzammin was the top scorer who remained unbeaten on 27, followed by Hashim (22), Md. Johaib (17) and M Bilal (14).

For Ludhiana, right-arm leg spinner, Sandeep Singh ran through the batting line up. He sent down 22 overs and captured five wickets after conceding just 31 runs. Abhishek Talwar took five catches in the slip to enable Ludhiana to restrict the visitors to a modest total.

Gurjot Singh and Nikhil Choudhary claimed two wickets each while Amrit Pal Singh took one wicket.

In the second match to be played here on September 4 and 5, Ludhiana will take on Muktsar.