The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

COURTS

Man gets 2-yr jail for trying to kill cop
Rajinder Nagarkoti
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, October 20
A local court here today awarded two years imprisonment to an accused who had attempted to kill a sub-inspector of the Panchkula police in Pinjore. The court awarded punishment to driver Ishar Ram, under Section 332 of the IPC, for voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty. A fine of Rs 2,000 was also imposed on the guilty. Earlier, the court had acquitted five women in this case.

The incident dates back to October 16, 2010. On October 16 last year, the Kalka police received a secret information that six chain snatchers were passing through Pinjore in an Indica car, which was being driven by Ishar Ram. The Kalka police further passed the information to the Pinjore police.

Sub-inspector Kuldip Singh of the Pinjore police station, along with his staff, had set up a check post in Pinjore to apprehend the six chain snatchers. The accused were travelling in an Indica car (DL-3CU-1517) and were being chased by Kalka SHO Mukesh Kumar. The accused tried to kill Kuldip Singh by running the car over him.

Later, the police arrested the accused and also recovered the Indica car. During investigations, the police found that the number plate on the car was fake, which was used by the culprit to fool the investigators.

CRIME

Man booked for setting wife afire
Tribune Reporters

Dera bassi, October 20
The police has booked a person for allegedly setting his wife on fire. According to information, Rajinder Kumar, a resident of Rouni Mohalla, Dera Bassi, poured kerosene on his wife Sruchi and set her afire. The victim was rushed to a hospital with 100 per cent burns. In her statement, the victim said her husband had been harassing her for long. A case under Section 307 was registered against the accused. No arrest has been made so far.

62-year-old man rapes minor

Dera bassi: A seven-year-old minor girl was allegedly raped by a 62-year-old man at Mubarikpur village. According to sources, the victim, Raj Kumar’s daughter hailing from Nepal and currently living in Mubarikpur, was allegedly raped by Harjeet Singh, a neighbour. Harjeet had retired from a government job two years ago. Raj Kumar said the incident took place on October 15 but the girl had then told them that she had suffered injuries while playing in the neighbourhood. When the parents came to know that she had been raped, they took her to the police station and lodged a complaint. The police said a case under Section 376 of the IPC had been registered against Harjeet Singh, who is at large. The girl has been admitted to the civil hospital for treatment.

Lawyer assaulted

Dera bassi: Paramvir Rana, a lawyer, was assaulted by two youths in his chamber at the Tehsil Complex here on Wednesday. He was taken to a hospital for treatment. Members of the bar association condemned the attack. A case under Sections 323, 341, 452, 506, 294 and 34 of the IPC was registered against the youths.

Man killed in mishap

Zirakpur: One person was killed while another sustained injuries in a road mishap that took place near Chhat village on the Zirakpur-Patiala highway here last night. The deceased was identified as Kulwinder Singh (25), a resident of Dera Bassi, and the injured has been identified as Ravinder Singh, also a resident of Dera Bassi.

The accident occurred when both of them were going towards Dera Bassi on a motorcycle. On reaching Chhat village, an unidentified vehicle rammed into the motorcycle. They were rushed to the Civil Hospital, Dera Bassi, where doctors declared Kulwinder Singh brought dead.

The body was handed over to the family after conducting an autopsy. A case was against driver of the unidentified vehicle.

Gold chain snatched

Zirakpur: Two motorcycle-borne youths snatched a gold chain from a resident of Preet Colony in Zirakpur here this evening. The incident occurred around 5.30 pm. The youths came to the woman and started enquiring about some address. When the woman refused to entertain them, they left the place, but later they came again and snatched her gold chain.

Police groping in dark

Panchkula: The post-mortem report of Pooja (22), who was strangulated to death yesterday, has ruled out any sexual assault on the deceased. Despite questioning neighbours and acquaintances, the police is still groping in dark. Pooja, a resident of Bhainsa Tibba, was found dead at SCO 3 on the IT Park road at Mansa Devi Complex. A case under Sector 302 of the IPC was registered in this connection. There were no injury marks, but it was presumed that the deceased had been strangulated as a scarf was found around her neck, said the police. The police is trying to trace the call details of the deceased.

SPORTS

ODI win: Fans break into frenzy
Deepankar Sharda
Tribune News Service

Fans cheer for the Indian team during an ODI against England at the PCA Stadium in Mohali on Thursday. Tribune photos: S Chandan

Mohali, October 20
Fans broke into a frenzy as Mahendra Dhoni, the Indian captain, hit two consecutive fours in the last over of the very exciting one-day match against England here this evening.

The ‘Men in Blue’ gave a reason to supporters to rush outside the stadium and celebrate India’s victory.

Malwinder Singh, a Panjab University student, gave a running commentary of the match. Randhir Singh travelled all the way from his village near Kathua in Jammu. There were many more prominent groups visible at different places in the stadium. Equally prominent were loud voices celebrating the boundaries and certain others cursing the missed balls.

The match witnessed a low turn out. But after England team set the target of 294 run, cricket lovers started turning up in large numbers.

Dilawar Singh, a spectator, said, “With stars like Sachin Tendulkar and local heroes, including Harbhajan Singh and Yuvraj Singh, missing, the match did not pull crowds. However, as the match progressed and India got a challenging total of 298 to chase, one could see people showing up at the stadium.” The usually overcrowded student block also witnessed a very poor turnout on the occasion as did the VIP quarters.

Protests spell chaos on roads
Mar cricket fans’ enthusiasm
Tribune News Service

MNREGA employees block a road in Phase VII at Mohali on Thursday. Tribune photos: Vicky Gharu

Mohali, October 20
Chaos prevailed on roads leading to the Punjab Cricket Stadium (PCA), the venue of the one-day international match between India and England, when MNREGA Contract Employee Union staged a dharna. People, who were on their way to the PCA, were caught in a traffic jam due to the road blockade.

The local administration and Mohali police, apparently busy maintaining law and order at the PCA Stadium, were literally caught unaware when the protesting employees demanding minimum wages marched from the office of the Director, Rural Development and Panchayat, Phase VIII, to the traffic junction of Phase VII and VIII. A number of school buses were caught in the traffic blockade that extended up to all main roads running from the YPS Chowk to Mohali-Landran road.

As the police was trying to pacify the contractual employees to lift the blockade, retrenched clerks of the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) climbed atop the board complex. They threatened to immolate themselves. While five agitating clerks with petrol bottles in their hands climbed atop the building, their fellow clerks squatted at the entrance to the PSEB building. After the protest, the clerks came down only after the OSD to the CM assured them of doing the needful.

Sidelights Duty swap

Policemen deployed outside the PCA stadium were seen swapping their place of duty with those on duty inside the stadium, apparently to catch a glimpse of the match. Some policemen deployed outside the stadium even complained of not being served with food and water. “A truck came to distribute food at 1 pm but only a few of us were served the food. We will ask our co-workers to bring some food for us now,” said a policeman.

Bad day for business

It was a dull day for face painters and flag sellers present around the stadium, as they failed to do good business. “I came here expecting to make quick buck by selling posters and flags. Last time around, I earned much more than I did this time,” said Vinayak Kumar, a flag seller. “Not many are interested in getting the Tri-colour painted on their face this time. We initially demanded Rs 30 for painting a Tri-colour on the face but with poor response from spectators, we had to slash it down to Rs 15,” said Shambhu, a painter.

Black marketeers groan

Even as black marketeers popped up around the stadium well before the match started, with some carrying five tickets in their hands, they failed to make a killing. A college student, expecting to make some extra money, said: “The turnout for this match is very poor, as compared to any India-Pakistan tie. I have sold only a fraction of my lot at reasonable rates and given away other tickets to my friends.”

‘Barmy Army’ missing

The famous group of ‘Barmy Army’ supporters of the English team gave the Mohali ODI a miss. However, the Barmy Army members, according to official information, will come here to support their team in the last ODI and the T-20 match at the Eden Gardens.

No traffic management plan

While extra police force was deployed in and around the PCA Stadium, there was thin police presence on other major roads of the city. Ambulances and school buses remained stuck in traffic jams.

Six fined for smoking
Tribune News Service

Mohali, October 20
The nodal officer for the Anti-Tobacco Act, Dr SP Surila, challaned six persons for smoking during the India-England ODI at the PCA Stadium here today. While four persons were caught smoking, two others escaped from the student block. The health department would issue a notice to the PCA authorities for not enforcing a ban on smoking on the PCA premises. The PCA authorities have failed to display “no smoking” boards at the stadium.

Dr Surila said the PCA authorities did not issue their duty passes to carry out checking in the stadium. Kalgidhar Sewak Jatha president JP Singh said the PCA authorities were acting in violation of the rules laid down to make the town smoke-free.

Rich haul by city archers
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 20
City archers bagged 10 gold, 13 silver and 13 bronze medals during the recently held Inter-College Archery Championship at Abohar. Archer Udham Singh was adjudged the champion archer among boys, while Pinki Rani was declared the best archer in the girls category. The contingent bagged a total of 36 medals out of the total of 42 medals.

“I am very happy with the team’s performance, the player worked hard and deserved to win the top honours,” said Vikas Shastri, coach of the team.