Ludhiana, September 8
A local court today sentenced five suspects, including his wife and son, to rigorous imprisonment for the murder of a former Professor in Department of Zoology, Punjab Agricultural University, Dr Charanjit Singh Malhi.

A fine of Rs 10,000 each has also been imposed on them. Pronouncing the verdict, additional sessions judge Mandeep Pannu said it was proved beyond any reasonable doubt that all the accused conspired with each other to kill Malhi.

Those convicted are Nimanjit Kaur (the deceased’s wife), Simrat Pal Singh, 21 (the deceased’s son), and his three accomplices - Jaskaran Singh Bhullar, 21, of BRS Nagar, Mandeep Singh Malhi, 24, of Model House and Harshdeep Singh Devgan alias Harry of Gobindpura, Miller Ganj.

According to the prosecution, Malhi was engaged in a property dispute with his wife and both had resorted to litigation. The house in which he was residing was stated to be in his wife’s name. Both the wife and son wanted to reclaim the property and the dispute led to murder.

A case under sections 302 & 120B of the Indian Penal Code was filed at the Sarabha Nagar police station on March 26, 2009 following a statement given by the deceased’s mother, Jaswant Kaur. She had stated to the police that relations between her son and daughter-in-law had become strained about two years ago. “Due to that reason my son’s wife began living in Panchkula with her parents”, she added.

The litigation on the property dispute as well as divorce proceedings began in Ludhiana and Panchkula.

“Earlier also Nimanjit and Simrat had threatened my son in my presence. On March 26, 2009 at about 9:45 am after I heard a noise I looked out from the balcony door and saw Simrat grappling with his father with a dagger in his hand. Our servant tried to save my son but two more friends of Simrat came inside. He started inflicting injuries saying that now onwards entire property is mine”, said Jaswant.

All the suspects fled after inflicting grievous injuries on Malhi, who was taken to Medicity Hospital but died later. The suspects claimed they were “picked up” by the police and “framed” in the case. However, convinced with the submissions of additional public prosecutor Vipan Dhir, the court found all of them guilty.

Ludhiana, September 8
A 14-year-old girl was allegedly raped by a “tantrik” on the pretext of curing her of stomach ache in Shimlapuri on Tuesday. The matter came to light after the police registered a case against Raja Ram, the tantrik, today.

The father of the victim said his daughter was suffering from acute stomach ache. “We had shown her to a few doctors, but they failed to cure her. Then, one of my relatives, Deepak, told me about tantrik Raja Ram.

“We reached the Raja Ram’s office and told him about my child’s ailment. After a few minutes, he took my daughter in a room on the first floor on the pretext of treating her,” said the victim’s father.

After 30 minutes, when no one came down, the victim’s father rushed towards the room. “I was shocked to see Raja Ram raping my daughter. He fled from the spot on seeing me,” the victim’s father added. The Shimlapuri police has registered a case and launched a manhunt to nab the accused.

Ludhiana, September 8
Unaccounted income totalling Rs 6.5 crore was surrendered by two leading engineering goods firms in the city during income tax department surveys, conducted by four teams led by income tax (range I) additional commissioner DS Brar.

According to reports, the surveys, which began at about 11 am on Wednesday and continued till Thursday morning, were conducted at the two premises of CL Engineering Ltd at Focal Point and the factories of RN Gupta & Co located at Focal Point and in Doraha. The former company surrendered Rs 3 crore while the latter surrendered undisclosed income of Rs 3.5 crore.

CL Engineering is a furnace manufacturing unit while RN Gupta & Co makes tractor parts for export.

It may be recalled about 15 days ago the income tax department had conducted surveys on hosiery and garment units during which undisclosed income of Rs 2 crore was surrendered.

Ludhiana, September 8
A girl, who eloped with her paramour and took Rs 50,000 from her house, was allegedly raped by her beloved and his accomplices and dumped at Rara Sahib, about 25 kilometers from the city.

The incident came to light today when the Dehlon police booked three persons, including the paramour Balwinder Singh, his accomplices Rupinder and an unidentified person for raping the girl.

The victim’s father said her daughter had eloped with her paramour from the house on the night of September 2. She even took Rs 50,000 kept in the house. “On September 3, I received a call from my daughter. She told me that Balwinder along his accomplices had raped her and dumped her at Rara Sahib. The accused even taken away the cash my daughter was carrying,” said Victim’s father.

The police has registered a case under Section 376 of the IPC against the trio.

Ludhiana, September 8
Every fourth person in the city is a migrant as per the latest Census. Out of a total of 16 lakh population (the official figures), 4 lakh persons are migrants who have come from states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Assam, Kerala and West Bengal in search for better avenues.

Dr MS Sidhu, professor and head of the department of economics, Punjab Agriculture University (PAU), said being a commercial and industrial hub, the city has always attracted migrants.

The data reveals that the migrants started coming in huge numbers to Punjab after militancy ended around 1991. Earlier, Amritsar and Ludhiana were the two cities in Punjab which attracted migrants. During terrorism, most industrial units in Amritsar shifted to Ludhiana. With this, a majority of migrants came to the city in 1991-92 when the total population was about 10 lakh. At that time, the number of migrants was 2.5 lakh.

Dr Kamal Batta, agriculture economist at the PAU, said the migrants found Ludhiana safer than Amritsar. “In Punjab, the total number of migrants involved in agriculture is about 4.21 lakh as per a survey conducted in 2006-07. Earlier, every year the number of migrants used to increase but now it will stabilise as migrants have been getting lucrative offers in their native villages. But they move to Ludhiana as industry units provide them better job opportunities,” he said.

Shriram, working at a hosiery unit in the Industrial Area for the past decade, said he felt safe in the city.

Ludhiana, September 8
For “busy” city residents, ready-to-eat products remain the best suited option.

According to a study conducted by Manminder Singh, an MBA student of Punjab College of Technical Education, under the guidance of Chitwan Bhutani Rekhi, approximately 55 per cent people feel that a lot of time is saved while using such products. Such food products can be prepared quickly as they are half-cooked.

The survey was conducted to know the level of awareness among consumers regarding ready-to-eat products. Chitwan Bhutani said apart from acceptance and awareness, the next major factor for consumers’ preference was convenience. About 53 per cent of the consumers said these products could be cooked easily at home. Other important factors, including availability, quality, price, shelf life and packing of the products, came next.

Manminder Singh said, “Around 88 per cent of the respondents were aware of such products. Ready-to-eat products like snacks, meals, pickles and desserts are available in the market. About 33 per cent of the consumers knew that ready-to-eat snacks are available in the market, 26 per cent knew about ready-to-eat meals, 21 per cent were aware of desserts, while 20 per knew about pickles.

The study also found that about 62 per cent of people were satisfied with the quality, taste and price of such products, but at the same time they were concerned about the nutritional value of such products.

Dr KNS Kang, director-general, PCTE Group of Institutes, said working people did not have time to cook food. They preferred using ready-to-eat products, as these saved time.

Ludhiana, September 8
Charging the tehbazaari wing of the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation of being corrupt, working under political pressure and siding with the encroachers, the members of civic body’s monitoring committee against encroachments alleged that Ludhiana was fast turning into a city of encroachments.

These words were recorded in the minutes of the meeting held today and the committee members alleged that despite several reminders, the MC was turning a blind eye towards encroachments, which seemed as if the city was run at the mercy of God.

The meeting of monitoring committee against encroachments, which was held after a period of two months, was chaired by Municipal Town Planner Hemant Batra and attended by members, Rohit Sabharwal from NGO Council of RTI Activists, Col Jagdish Singh Brar from NGO Maha Sabha Ludhiana, and MC officials.

Rohit Sabharwal alleged that during the last meeting held on July 5, he had handed over a list of 400 encroachments spread in different parts of the city. “Sadly, the MC has failed to take action against any of them. If they are not going to take any action on encroachments pointed by us, then what is the use of holding this meeting? They are just doing paper work and remain seated in their air-conditioned offices,” rued Sabharwal.

He said an illegal liquor vend was operating near Chawni Mohalla area of the city. “This liquor vend is located on a footpath. While the owners are minting lakhs of rupees everyday, the MC is not charging any rent from them, which is sad. Even the media has raised this issue many times, but MC officials seem to be least bothered about this liquor vend,” alleged Sabharwal.

This liquor vend was constructed after the auction of liquor vends this year. Various persons have charged Mayor Hakam Singh Giaspura of having a “silent share” in this liquor vend, but the Mayor had denied it.

MTP Hemant Batra said this liquor vend was not a permanent structure but a “khokha”. “So tehbazaari wing can take action against this vend,” he claimed.

Tehbazaari wing Superintendent Ranjeev Kumar said if the Finance and Contracts Committee of the MC gave him directions on taking rent from this vend, he would do it. “I have not received any directions in this regard,” he said.

“But the question is that when any person travelling on the road can see that it is an encroachment, why is the MC not taking action against it?” rued Col Jagdish Singh Brar.

Sabharwal also alleged that the previous MC Commissioner, AK Sinha, had passed orders around four months back that an FIR should be registered against all encroachers. “But the tehbazaari wing has not registered even a single FIR in this regard. I demand that action should be taken against the officials under their service rules as they failed to take any action despite Sinha’s orders,” rued Sabharwal.

MTP Batra said he had asked the tehbazaari officials to register FIR in all such cases.

Ghudani (Payal), September 8
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal called upon members of the Sikh community to discriminate between ‘traitors’ and authentic Sikhs, who were genuinely interested in perpetuation of tenets advocated by 10 Sikh Gurus. Addressing a rally organised in favour of party candidate Raghbir Singh Saharanmajra, Badal cautioned the SGPC electorate against ‘sinister designs of traitors’ of the Panth, who according to him were acting at the instance of their masters in the Congress. Former minister and in charge of the Payal constituency Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal presided over the function.

Reiterating his demand for a probe into the sequence of events leading to the recent dramatic reversal of the Sehajdhari order, Badal dared the Congress to clear stand on its ever-changing statements.

Badal said SAD leaders, who were helping rival candidates, would be dealt with sternly. Among others present included market committee chairman Amrik Singh Rorian, chairman Harinder Singh Honey, Shivraj Singh Jallah, Balwant Singh Ghaloti, Gurjit Singh Pandher Kheri and Jaswant Singh Somal Kheri.

Doraha, September 8
Counselling sessions and de-addiction campaigns launched by the Doraha Chemists Association have yielded good results, as the sale and supply of habit-forming drugs in Doraha is almost negligible now.

Ludhiana, September 8
The Unemployed Linemen Union, Punjab, which has been agitating against Punjab State Power Corporation Limited and the state government for failing to provide them with the job, is all set to gherao SAD leaders during its political conference to be held on September 12 at Mela Chhapar.

Members of the union met at Basant Park today, castigated the state government as well as the PSPCL management for putting the recruitment process on the hold and adopting dilly-dally tactics. “The desperate unemployed linemen have had enough of the government assurances. If the final merit list is not released and recruitment process not started by September 10, the union will gherao the SAD leaders during the Mela Chhapar,” functionaries of the union announced in the meeting.

The union while reviewing the preparation for the protest, asked its activists to mobilise the rank and file for the proposed protest so as to force the government to act.

Ludhiana, September 8
Gladiolus occupies prime position among commercial flower crops. The popularity of this flower is increasing due to wide flower-colour diversity of different varieties and variable floret shape. Apprising the farmers of the cultivation of gladiolus under the climatic condition of Punjab, PAU expert Dr Kiranjeet Kaur Dhatt of the department of floriculture and landscaping, said it was the only cut flower that was cultivated under open conditions under sub-tropical climate of Punjab.

The increasing urbanisation in India, increased awareness, improved standard of living, the sense of aesthetic beauty and desire to live in eco-friendly environment would further boost this enterprise, said the floriculturist.

Educating farmers about cultivation technology of gladiolus, the expert said the crop required sandy soil with good fertility for normal development of corm and cormels and to curtail losses due to fungal diseases in clay soil.

Telling that gladiolus was propagated from corms and cormels and the planting period fell in September to December for commercial cultivation, the floriculturist highlighted that the flower possessed great potential for export during the season from October to April. The expert said, “The corms are planted about 6-7 cm deep at a spacing of 30 X 20 cm, thus accommodating 60,000 - 70,000 corms/acre. The field is cultivated repeatedly in May-June to expose the soil to high temperature and farm yard manure at 15-20 tonnes per acre is incorporated in July. The field is thoroughly ploughed by end of September to make the planting beds.”

Girls take a look at the creations designed by students of Guru Nanak Girls College, Model Town, Ludhiana. photo: inderjeet verma

Ludhiana: The fashion designing department of Guru Nanak Girls College, Model Town, organised an exhibition-cum-competition “Create Your Own Style” by using waste material. Fifty students participated and exhibited attractive dresses and accessories created by using newspapers, coloured papers, old jeans, fabric cuttings, paper plates and straws. Arvinder Kaur, Rajni Bansal and Gurpreet Dhillon were the judges. Ankita Jariwal bagged the first prize, while Priyanka Sanan and Anamika Satija were awarded second and third prizes, respectively. Gurmeet Kaur and Mamta Rani bagged consolation prizes. Principal Dr Charanjit Mahal appreciated the efforts of students. Meanwhile, to mark the International Literacy Day on September 8, the NSS volunteers of Guru Nanak Girls College encouraged Class IV employees to recognise the importance of literacy and to play an active role in improving literacy skills. The volunteers interacted with the wards of Class IV employees and distributed pencils, copies, erasers and fruits among them.

Awareness programme

Youth Red Cross Unit, Khalsa College for Women, Civil Lines, organised an awareness programme on reasons, management and prevention of dermatological disorders in association with the Himalaya Herbal Health Care, Bangaluru. Dr Sanandan was the resource person. He spoke on common skin problems faced during adolescence. A detailed discussion was held on pimples (acne), its causes and management, both preventive and curative. Another problem discussed was alopecia (hair loss). The lecture was followed by an interactive session. Students’ queries were taken up by experts.

Industrial visit

The training and placement cell and Indian Society for Technical Education (ISTE), Guru Nanak Institute of Management and Technology (GNIMT), organised an industrial visit. MBA students were taken to Verka Milk Plant. Ludhiana Wing Commander SS Arora (retd), and Rupinder Kaur, placement coordinator, accompanied students. Students were apprised of the functioning of the plant. Students visited the production department, table butter section, quality assurance lab, butter and ghee churning section, ghee packing and powder milk section.

Death condoled

The Punjab Government College Teachers Association (PGCTA) and Punjab Commerce and Management Association condoled the death of Rajdeep Singh Gill, an associate professor, and head of political science department at SCD Government College. He died of cardiac arrest on September 4. — TNS

Mandi Gobindgarh, September 8
The Punjab Pollution Control Board, regional office, Fatehgarh Sahib has issued notice to the industries including rolling mills, induction furnace, forging unit, which are operating their industrial units without the consent to operate under water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and without getting authorization under provision of Hazardous Waste (Management, Handling & Tran boundary Movement) Rules, 2010 of the Board.

The industries have been advised to apply for renewal of consent under the Water and Air Acts and authorisation under HWM Rules, within 15 days along with requisite documents in the regional office, Fatehgar Sahib. If the industry fails to apply for the renewal of consent under the Water and Air Acts and authorisation under HWM Rules, action under the provisions of said law will be initiated against the defaulting unit.

Ludhiana, September 8
As many as 25 families were honoured during a regional conference on “eye banking” organised by the IMA, Ludhiana, in association with the Ludhiana Ophthalmological Association and Punarjot Eye Bank.

The conference was held to mark National Eye Donation Day.

The chief guest was AS Rathaur, assistant director-general, National Programme of Control of Blindness.

Dr Ramesh, managing director, Punarjot Eye Bank Society, highlighted the achievements of the society.

Dr Dharamveer Chalia, head of the ophthalmology department, Rajindera Government College, Patiala, Dr SM Bhatti, president, Punjab Ophthalmological Society, and CMC principal were also present.

Ludhiana, September 8
A badly mutilated body was found floating on Budha Nullah near the Haibowal road here today. The incident came to light this afternoon when the commuters spotted the body and informed the police about the incident.

According the police, the victim was in his mid- 20s. The investigating officer said the police was yet to establish the identity of the victim. The youth was hacked to death before his body was dumped in Budha Nullah.

“There is a deep wound on the neck of the victim, which suggests that he was murdered,” said the officer. In the meantime, the police has started the investigation to identify the victim.

Ludhiana, September 8
The city’s migrant population, currently estimated at 1.9 million, has been steadily rising, with a majority being factory labourers. However, the number of health facilities for those covered under the Employees' State Insurance Corp remains the same - 12 dispensaries and one hospital. The dispensaries came into existence more than three decades ago and the ESI Hospital was declared a “model” hospital only five or six years before.

There is always a heavy rush of patients at these dispensaries as well as the hospital, which are chronically plagued by shortage of doctors, nurses and other staff with many positions remaining vacant for years.

According to Lakhvinder Singh, president of the Karkhana Mazdoor Union: “The labourers who visit these dispensaries usually complain they have to stand up in long lines for check-ups and getting the required medicines. Moreover the ESIC staff behaves rudely with them and labourers have alleged they have even been beaten up”.

According to sources, there were plans about a year ago to upgrade the dispensary at Focal Point, which gets the largest number of patients. “And there was also a plan to open one more ESI dispensary at Ludhiana by closing down one at Mansa district. The former Health and Family Welfare Minister Lakshmi Kanta Chawla transferred many doctors from ESI dispensaries to the Civil Hospital. This has resulted in shortage of doctors at these dispensaries”, the sources added.

Meanwhile, Dr Hardeep Singh, state president of the PCMS Doctors Association, said: "The dispensaries always see a heavy rush of employees covered under the Employees' State Insurance and it becomes difficult for us to cater to so many patients. Many vacancies are still lying vacant and there is an acute shortage of doctors as well as other staff. The government should also increase number of posts of doctors as well as of other employees. And the posts should be regular, not contractual”.

Ludhiana, September 8
There appears to be no solution in sight on ending the tussle between private garbage collectors and a private firm, A2Z Infrastructure Pvt Ltd, that secured the contract for solid waste management in the city. Both have been at loggerheads with each other ever since door-to-door collection of garbage began on August 15.

After having met local bodies minister Tikshan Sud in Chandigarh on Thursday, members of the Valmiki Samaj Bachao Andolan plan to hold another meeting with the chief minister and deputy chief minister after five days to sort out the issues.

On the very first day when the door-to-door services were launched some of the private garbage collectors had reportedly manhandled A2Z Infrastructure staff and even attacked their vehicles. The firm’s officials said due to these “protests” they are presently collecting garbage from only 863 houses in the city and were not able to expand their services. After the incident police personnel accompany company staff every day.

Thursday’s meeting with Sud was attended by officiating municipal council commissioner Malwinder Singh Jaggi, local bodies department director Sunil Sharma and Valmiki Samaj Bachao Andolan chairman Surinder Kalyan besides senior civic and local bodies officials.

Kalyan said Sud told members of his group it was a local matter that was not within his purview. “He promised to arrange a meeting with Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal sometime during the next five days. But we’ll continue our protests and keep on opposing company officials from collecting garbage from homes,” he added.

However, Sud claimed the meeting was “positive.” “Now I’ll try to arrange a meeting between the chief minister and the deputy CM and members of the Valmiki Samaj Bachao Andolan in the next few days. And the final decision would be taken after the meeting. But I assure you one thing - the matter will be sorted out soon,” he added.

Mandi Gobindgarh, September 8
During a campaign launched against anti-social elements, a police party stopped a Mahindra Pickup (PB10-S-3038) at a check post and arrested Mohammad Munish, alias Babloo, a resident of Malerkotla, and Rajinder Singh, alias Raju, a resident of Dhurki in Sangrur district, and recovered 19 oxygen cylinders.

The cylinders were reportedly stolen from the godown of Jai Gasis Private Ltd Company, Nasrali Road, Mandi Gobindgarh, for which an FIR was registered at Mandi Gobindgarh.

With the arrest of the two accused, the police claimed to have also solved another theft case registered in August under Sections 379 and 34 of the IPC and recovered more than 10 tonnes of scrap.

The cost of both recoveries is around Rs 7 lakh. In another case the police arrested Pardeep Misra, a resident of Dumri village in Bihar, and recovered 2.5 kg of ganja from his possession. He was booked under the NDPS Act. The police has also arrested a proclaimed offender, Balkar Singh, a resident of Shahpur village.

Ludhiana, September 8
Day after a dressing down by the Commissioner of Police, the police came down hard on anti-social elements and arrested four persons for gambling and recovered nearly Rs 1 lakh.

Giving details about the crackdown Station House Officer Amandeep Singh said the combine team of Kotwali and division numbers 2 and 3 police station raided at a gambling joint on the Brown Road and arrested four persons.

The police recovered Rs 96,750, which was used for gambling.

The accused have been identified as Ashwani Kumar, a resident of Hargobind Nagar, Gurpreet Singh Shanty, a resident of Harcharan Nagar, Anuj Sharma, a resident of Chauri Sarak, and Davinder Singh.