Car snatched at gunpoint
Amritsar, December 26
In yet another snatching incident, two unidentified persons snatched a car at gunpoint here late last evening.

Recently laid roads may not last till elections
Amritsar, December 26
The road-laying spree in the holy city, initiated just before the assembly polls, though came to a halt as soon as the election code of conduct came into force, the roads laid recently have already failed to stand the quality test. The roads, recently laid in various areas, have already started breaking.

4 months on, Garhwal family booked in dowry death case
Amritsar, December 26
Almost four months after the incident, the Sadar police here today booked a Garhwal family in a dowry death case.

Amritsar, December 26
This might be a tip of the iceberg. A total of 219 acres of village ponds, which acted as a major source of recharging of underground water, has been encroached upon by the influential and villagers enjoying political patronage.

Even, government buildings, such as mini health centres and schools, have come up on these lands which also act as sanitation system in villages.

These startling facts have come to light through an RTI application filed by Jagmohan Singh, an environmentalist and a social worker. In the application, he has sought information on the encroachments on the village ponds by the people in nine blocks of the district.

The RTI plea reveals that about till now, as many as 326 people have encroached upon 219 acres of pond land in nine blocks including Ajnala, Chogawan, Harsha Chhina, Jandiala, Majitha, Rayya, Tarsikka, Verka and Attari.

Ironically, the district administration has taken action only against 34 encroachers, who are been facing court cases.

Panchayats concerned have done little against the encroachers.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj has Social Education and Panchayat Officers (SEPO) for filing complaints against the persons who have encroached upon the village ponds in case the panchayat concerned fails to file against the accused.

However, going by the RTI reply, SEPOs have miserably failed to bring any encroachment in to the notice of the District Development and Panchayat Officers (DDPOs) and Block Development and Panchayat Officers (BDPOs) concerned.

While explaining, Jagmohan said, "In the RTI, the authorities of Jandiala and Rayya block said there is no encroachment on the village ponds, but we have enough proofs against their claims."

Out of these blocks, maximum encroachment has been noticed in Attari block where 90 people have encroached on as many as 178 acres of village pond. In Verka block, 144 villagers have encroached in just 14 acres of land. In chaugwan block 10 villagers have encroached 3 acres while in Majitha and Ajnala blocks 10 acres and three canals of village ponds were encroached by 48 and 5 persons respectively.

Jagmohan urged the state government to issue a white paper on the encroachments of the village ponds in Punjab. He said he would file a PIL in the Punjab and Haryana High Court for the vacation of these environmentally important water bodies. 

Amritsar, December 26
It seems the Amritsar Municipal Corporation's announcement to confirm the services of 430 contractual Class IV employees was just a politically motivated move.

Dejected by the authorities' inability to award them official appointment letters, the said employees, including mohalla sudhar sewaks, today shunned work in protest and raised slogans against the authorities and the ruling alliance.

Mayor Shwait Malik and MP Navjot Sidhu had assured these contractual staff of the MC to regularise their services. An official note in this regard was duly sent to the state government's Local Bodies Ministry in Chandigarh for seeking a final nod, but the issue got stalled when the ministry enquired about the extra quantum of budget to be spent for this move.

Now with the election code of conduct coming into effect, it would be next to impossible to act on the matter.

Vinod Kumar Bitta, spokesperson of Municipal Safai Mazdoor Union, said there would be complete strike and all the whole city's clean-up machinery would come to halt from tomorrow.

"This was nothing but a frivolous announcement made by the authorities on the orders of the ruling alliance. When the resolution was duly passed in the last general house and the SAD government had agreed to give its nod, the delay to furnish the formalities is not acceptable to us," he said.

Earlier too, there was commotion among Mohalla Sudhar sewaks when the AMC had failed to regularise 102 employees on the plea that the scrutinising committee could not ascertain their antecedents properly.

The leader of the Opposition representing Congress, Ranjan Aggarwal, said this announcement was nothing but a "politically motivated move" just to strengthen the "vote bank".

"The ruling alliance had deliberately excluded those safai karamcharis which were deputed during Congress regime (2002-2007), but now they could not live up to their own promises too," he said. 

Amritsar, December 26
The Jandiala police has arrested head constable Avtar Singh, constable Dilbagh Singh, who were posted at Gehri Mandi police chowki, and Gurcharan Singh, a resident of Gehri Mandi area in connection with the death of a junk dealer in the police custody.

They were on a run after the registration of murder case against them.

Jaspal Singh, SHO Jandiala police station, said that they were arrested today.

“Though the police was yet to receive the postmortem report, they have been arrested for the investigations,” said Jaspal.

It is pertinent to mention here that the family of the deceased Darshan Lal, a junk dealer had alleged that he was tortured to death. He was caught on charges of stealing of three iron girders. They along with the residents of the area had gheraoed the police chowki while demanding registration of a murder case against the accused responsible for his death.

Jandiala DSP Ram Parkash along with SHO Jandiala Guru police station reached the spot and had suspended the chowki in charge Kewal Kishan with immediate effect besides launching an investigation.

Amritsar, December 26
In yet another snatching incident, two unidentified persons snatched a car at gunpoint here late last evening.

Ashwani Mahajan, a resident of Moon Avenue on Majitha Road, said two unidentified motorcycle-borne youths snatched his Fiat Punto (PB-08-BR-7867) at gunpoint when he was parking the vehicle. He said the accused came on a motorcycle and asked for a way to the Lawrence Road.

As soon as he pulled down the windowpane of the car, the accused brought out a pistol, put on his head and asked to leave the car. They fled away with car leaving the motorcycle at the spot.

Sohan Singh, SHO Sadar police station, said the registration number of the motorcycle was different from the number written on the number plate, which clearly indicates that the motorcycle was a stolen one.

He said a case under Section 379-B of the IPC has been registered against the youths. The police is getting details about the motorcycle from the District Transport Office, he said.

Amritsar, December 26
The road-laying spree in the holy city, initiated just before the assembly polls, though came to a halt as soon as the election code of conduct came into force, the roads laid recently have already failed to stand the quality test. The roads, recently laid in various areas, have already started breaking.

Residents of various areas, where the roads were laid, complain about bad quality of roads as pebbles have come out making it dangerous for them to commute.

Residents of these areas said the government had not paid any heed to their demands for development works in the last four years and worked overtime just ahead of the Assembly elections.

It is pertinent to mention here that the councillors and political leaders of the ruling combine had begun a road-laying spree in their areas. However, the bad quality of roads infuriated residents, who threatened that if they were not provided with better roads, they would boycott the elections.

“This is mere an eyewash on part of the authorities and political leaders. For the last five years, they have been indifferent towards our problems. But as the elections approached near, they started laying roads and that too of very inferior quality,” said Rimpu, a resident of Guru Arjun Dev Nagar, located in the main GT Road area.

In many areas, roads were left incomplete due to imposition of code of conduct and this has become a cause of accidents. The roads in Hussainpura Chowk, Majitha Road, Kangra Colony, Guru Arjun Dev Nagar, Joshi Pura etc are glaring example of this.

The Municipal Corporation engineers on the condition of anonymity said that the winters are not the favorable period for laying quality roads. Quality is usually compromised as road could not be laid when the temperature dips below 10 degree C. Due to chilly winter conditions, the tarkol could not hold the pebbles firmly and come out within few days, they said.

Lachhman Dass, Superintendent Engineer, MC, said that the damaged roads would be repaired soon and contractors who were entrusted with the task would be asked to maintain the quality. He said they have been asked to stop the work immediately.

Amritsar, December 26
Almost four months after the incident, the Sadar police here today booked a Garhwal family in a dowry death case.

The family was booked in Garhwal also in connection with the case. As the incident occurred in the Adarsh colony falling under the jurisdiction of Sadar police station, the Garhwal police referred the case to the Amritsar police for the registration and subsequent investigation.

One Suman (19), who originally belonged to Garhwal, got married to Ganesh Singh of same area in November 2010. They were residing in a rented accommodation in Adarsh Colony located on Batala Road here.

Vikram Singh, deceased’s brother, in his complaint alleged that just a few days after the marriage the in-laws started harassing Suman for brining less dowry. Her in-laws asked her to bring Rs 4 lakh from her parents.

Fed up repeated harassment and mental torture, Suman set herself ablaze after pouring kerosene oil.

Sohan Singh, SHO Sadar police station, said badly burnt Suman was admitted to a private hospital where she died. The in-laws of the family did not report the matter to the police and took the body to Garhwal.

When Suman’s family came to know about the incident, they reported the matter to Garhwal police which sent the body for the postmortem and filed a police complaint, revealed Sohan Singh.

The police then sent the report to Punjab police which reached to Sadar police yesterday. The SHO said a case under Sections 498-A, 304-B and 201 of the IPC and Sections 3/4 of the Dowry Act against Ganesh Singh, his father Dawal Singh and mother Shanti Devi in this connection.

Amritsar, December 26
To conduct free and fair assembly polls, the district administration today announced to have formed 31 special surveillance committees for as many police stations in the district.

Each committee would comprise a civil officer, an ASI rank official and four other police personnel.

The Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer said static surveillance teams have been set up across the district to curb the use of cash or forbidden delights like liquor or other intoxicants by candidates and his or her supporters to lure voters. Besides this, special flying squads have been formed to have vigil over 11 constituencies here. A video team too would accompany these teams to gather proofs of every incident. The political parties would have to seek prior permission from the returning officer under whose jurisdiction their areas fall, for holding rallies.

“These teams can search the vehicles randomly for cash, liquor or drugs. In case, any cash or jewellery of value above Rs 1 lac is found and the person concerned fails to explain its source, it would be seized and handed over to income-tax as well as election department authorities. The banks have also been instructed to report all transactions above Rs 1 lac made from any account. That’s why, all residents are also advised to carry with them proof of source of all such transaction”, told the DC.

According to the instructions of the election commission no candidate can exceed his poll budget beyond Rs 16 lac and violation of this rule would invite action under the law. Special teams have been constituted to take notice of the paid advertisements to be published in newspapers or flashed on TV channels

Aggarwal told that the job of removing banners, posters and hoardings has been initiated and from now onwards only the kind of propaganda material, as prescribed by the election commission would be allowed.

“The candidates would have to open a fresh account a day prior to submission of his or her nomination papers for the elections candidature. It is mandatory for all the poll expense made by the candidate would have to be entered into this poll account. The details of which would have to be intimated to the designated election officer after every third day”, said the DC.

“A shadow register would be maintained at the DC office, to be looked after by Accounts teams which will also have the details of the poll expense made by the candidates. Besides this, all the political rallies would be videographed to have a vigil so that the norms should not be violated”, he told.

Meanwhile, a control room has been set up to register any sort of complaint regarding violation of the prescribed norms of the Election Commission. The control room could be contacted at 0183-2564054 and 2564055.

Amritsar, December 26
There is an increase in the number of asthma cases in winters Out Patients Department (OPD) of the district TB Hospital.

District TB Officer Dr Naresh Chawla, a chest specialist, said winters can be problematic for asthmatic patients if due precautions are not taken.

The fog and frost in winters can cause respiratory problems and even respiratory failures in some cases, said Chawla.

Talking to The Tribune Dr Chawla said, “About 70 percent of the patients turning up at the OPDs these days have a difficulty in respiration.” He added that in winters the pollutants mixed in the air comes down to a lower zone, which is the breathing zone.

With the fall in temperature, the patients feel heaviness in the chest area and breathing exercise becomes very difficult.

As the fog and frost increases, the smoke and dust pollute the air which causes a problem for asthmatic patients.

Dr Chawla said that the chronic respiratory failures cases in the current winters too have come to light.

He advised the patients to remain indoors if there is fog outside. “The patients should refrain from going on morning walks and doing any exercise in the fog. It can increase the chances of an asthmatic attack,” said Chawla.

He said patients should also take preventive medicines as vaccines against pneumonia and flu which can help in reducing the chances of asthmatic attacks. 

Amritsar, December 23
The hospitality industry in Amritsar has very little to cheer even as the holy city is counted among the top 10 most visited cities in the world.

The industry feels the “insincere approach” of the state government has not helped the city realise the maximum potential of tourism.

A leading hotelier, Randeep Singh, said all government projects, undertaken for the preservation of sites and buildings of historic importance, were running behind schedule.

Citing example, he said early 19th century Gobindgarh Fort, raised during the reign of legendary Maharaja Ranjit Singh would take another year to complete. He said the fort is an example of special defence mechanism initiated by the Sikh army against artillery attacks. He said the fort also housed residence of Gen Dyer and ‘Phansi Ghar’ (execution house) during the British Raj.

Similarly, the Summer Palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in Ram Bagh is also under preservation for the past many years. He said Maharaja Ranjit Singh Panorama in the Ram Bagh was not drawing enough visitors due to lack of promotion.

‘Pull Kanjari’, near Attari village, another famous site of historic significance, has failed to draw visitors as there is no special direct bus to the place. This is despite the fact that crores of rupees have been spent for its revival and upkeep.

Amritsar Hotel and Restaurant Association (AHRA) general secretary APS Chatha said hotels just draw 50 per cent occupancy as tourists don’t stay in the city for long.

CII Punjab former president Gunbir Singh said plenty of rooms in ordinary, star categories were available in the holy city.

He said the city badly needed cleanliness, more international connectivity, and linking of more tourist potential sites to the holy city to prolong the stay of tourists here.

He said efforts of the Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board in introducing two heritage walks inside the walled city are not yielding desired results due to unclean and unhygienic condition of streets.

He said one of the largest wetlands in North India at Hari Ke Pattan was located only 35 km from here, but the government has not woken up from its slumber to chalk out a plan.

Besides, there are a number of historic gurdwaras in the city and in surrounding areas, but the government has not felt it appropriate to make a plan to showcase these to pilgrims.

Similarly, Ram Tirath Temple, located 11 kms from the city, could be another religious destination as it is considered to be the hermitage of Maharishi Valmiki, he added.

He said though the city has the international airport, it is high time to add more international flights. He said in order to boost potential, the city must have air connectivity to the South East Asia, Canada and domestically to Mumbai, southern peninsula. He said Delhi-Amritsar-Srinagar flight must be revived to push circuit tourism as the city would be linked by air to neighbouring hill state.

As per the data available with the Department of Industries and Commerce, as many as 10 hotels with collective investment of Rs 503.49 crore were under construction in the city.