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Documentary ‘Dhur Ki Bani’ released
Our Correspondent

Ambala December 30
The Ambala police arrested Dr Arun Dalal, a doctor with the Civil Hospital at Ambala City, past evening for assaulting and threatening a journalist.

He was today produced before duty magistrate Vivek Yadav, who sent him to judicial custody. The bail application filed by the doctor’s counsel would be heard tomorrow.

The doctor had been booked on the complaint of a journalist. Local correspondents had met the Deputy Commissioner and the Police Commissioner, demanding the arrest of the doctor.

The Assistant Commissioner of Police, Raj Kumar Walia, was investigating the case. The doctor had not been attending duty after the incident.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Shashank Anand, constituted a team, which raided several places in search of the doctor.

The police would file an application in court for permission to conduct a lie-detector test on the doctor.

The local branch of the Indian Medical Association termed the incident unfortunate and demanded a high-level probe into the incident.

The journalist had alleged that the doctor pointed a pistol at him while the doctor had claimed that he was not carrying any firearm.

Fatehgarh Sahib, December 30
During a special drive initiated to control the use of drugs, contraband and money to influence the voters, in the coming elections the district police has succeeded in recovering 1 kg heroin worth Rs 5 crore in the International market. The police has also arrested four youngsters one of them a college student and confiscated an Inova car in which they were traveling. Besides, the police has also recovered one .315 bore country made pistol and three cartridges from their custody.

Addressing a joint press conference RS Khatra SSP and Yashveer Mahajan, Deputy Commissioner said that immediately after the model code of conduct came into force, 8 surveillance teams and three flying squads were constituted and several monitoring mechanism was developed. The police has regularly been checking the vehicles and the implementation of Election Commission of India's order yielded results as 1 kg heroin.

The contraband was seized today morning from four car borne youths. Giving details, SSP said that the police had setup a check-post near floating restaurant, Sirhind, and the checking process was slow due to dense fog. He said that Bikramjit Singh Brar, incharge CIA Sirhind signalled an Inova car No PB 09H-0062, bearing a flag rod, to stop but the driver tried to run away. The CIA team chased them and overpowered near Sahil Motel. He added that during checking, the police recovered 1 kg, .315 bore pistol and three live cartridges from their possession. The accused were identified as Baljinder Singh, a resident of Kapurthala, Puneet Singh, a student of BCom GN College Phagwara, Ravi Kumar, a resident of Phagwara and Jatinder Singh a resident of Kapurthala.

The heroin was wrapped in a polythene paper with a marking in Urdu, said the SSP. He said during the preliminary interrogation, the accused revealed that they had brought the consignment from Khem Karan on India-Pak border. He said the consignment must have smuggled from Pakistan. The SSP, Taran Tarn, has been informed and vital information has been shared with intelligence agencies. The police has registered case under Sections 22, 61, 85 of the IPC IPC and 25, 54, 59 Arms Act at the Sirhind police station.

Deputy Commissioner, Yashveer Mahajan, said a strict vigil is being kept as per the directions of the Election Commission. He added that a cash of Rs 9.9 lakh has also been seized from Mandi Gobindgarh and handed over to Income Tax department. He said that carrying of cash is not crime unless it is used to influence voters. Strict directions have been given not to harass traders, he added.

Chandigarh, December 30
Terming the petition challenging the selection of nine nominated councillors “motivated and frivolous”, the UT administration sought the dismissal of the petition today.

In a reply filed in the district court on behalf of the administration, Abhishek Dev, Joint Secretary (Home), stated that the public interest litigation by way of a civil suit was not maintainable and as such was liable to be dismissed, as it was a total abuse of the process of law.

The reply further stated that the selection of nominated councillors had nothing to do with political affiliations.

As many 99 applicants were considered from different fields and finally nine nominated councillors who fulfilled the requisite criteria were selected, the reply reads.

Meanwhile, the municipal corporation and nine nominated councillors have sought time to file their reply. The court has deferred the hearing for December 31.

Petitioners Surinder Bhardwaj, president, Janta Dal United (JDU), and Subhash Kataria, president, Traders Association, Sector 17, had sought directions to the UT administration and the MC to restrain nine nominated councillors from working as MC councillors and exercising rights and powers given to the nominated councillors.

The petitioners had alleged that the nominations had been made due to political reasons and under the pressure of the ruling party (Congress).

Giving details of the political affiliation of the nominated councillors, the petitioners had alleged that Dr Amrit Tiwari was the Ludhiana MP and Congress spokesperson Manish Tiwari’s mother, while Maj DS Sandhu (retd) had remained an office-bearer of the Ex-servicemen Cell of the local Congress unit and had played the role of stage secretary during the election meeting held in favour of Congress candidate Chander Mukhi Sharma.

Besides, another nominated councillor Shagufta Parveen was Congress minority cell chairman Khaleel Ahmed’s daughter-in-law. Ahmed was also the vice-president of the Chandigarh Territorial Congress Committee (CTCC).

Also, Sat Paul Bansal was a family friend and distant relative of local MP Pawan Kumar Bansal, the petitioners had alleged.

Zirakpur, December 30
In a scene straight out of a Bollywood flick, the Zirakpur police intercepted an oil tanker, carrying 650 boxes of liquor, by boxing it in with three of its trucks here today.

The police succeeded in positioning one of its trucks ahead of the tanker, another behind it and the third on its side.

The chase on the Zirakpur flyover continued for five minutes, much to the surprise of motorists commuting on the flyover.

A crowd gathered as the police boxed in the tanker, giving the driver no chance to escape, and forced it to stop.

It took the police three hours to unload the consignment concealed in the tanker.

Zirakpur SHO Yogi Raj said they got a tip-off that a truck, bearing the registration number of Punjab, carrying illicit liquor was moving towards Sirsa from Chandigarh.

A police team set up a barricade, positioning three trucks on standby, near a petrol station on the Chandigarh-Ambala highway.

He said they intercepted the tanker on the Zirakpur flyover using the three trucks, leaving no chance for the tanker driver to escape.

The SHO said they found liquor boxes of Bagpiper, McDowell’s, Contessa and Officer’s Choice brands were concealed in the oil tanker.

The police arrested three persons, including Parminder Sharma, Karamvir Singh, driver of the tanker, and Jaksir, a resident of Barnala.

The police has registered a case against the accused and started further investigations, the police official added.

Zirakpur, December 30
The Zirakpur police today booked six persons including joint secretary of Punjab Pradesh congress, a Chandigarh-based college student and four private establishments under the Prevention of Defacement of Public Property Act, 1997 (Section 3 and 4). A case was registered on the complaint of executive officer of Zirakpur municipal council.

On Thursday, the police had registered a case against congress worker Suman Lambra for defacing public property on the complaint of GMR, company undertaking the maintenance of Zirakpur flyover.

SHO Zirakpur stated that cases has been registered against V-technology, SCO-12, Kaliber Market, Rajpura; Jumbo circus; Pawanpreet Singh Kannor village Khijargarh; Gurpreet Singh Sidhu of DAV College, Sector 10 Chandigarh; Ajaib Singh; Anil from department of law, PU; Balwinder Singh Goraya, joint secretary of Punjab Pradesh Congress, Shivam Palace, Rupinder Singh Gill and Hotel Abinandan on the complaint of the municipal council officer.

In the complaint to the police, Zirakpur executive officer stated that the violators had pasted the posters on the Zirakpur flyover and defaced the public property. The drives were conducted and removed the banners on the directions of SDM, Dera Bassi.

During drive it was found that a number of posters of political leaders and private establishments were pasted on the flyover.

The executive officer said the drive will continue and will serve notice to violators.

Chandigarh, December 30
For city residents the year 2011 has been an eventful with rising crime graph, unscheduled power cuts, violence in the district court premises or scams that remained unsolved. But the most memorable event was the ‘clash of the titans’ in the semi-finals of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.

Youths celebrate India’a victory in the cricket World Cup. tribune file photos

The match of the century between India and Pakistan at the PCA Stadium, Mohali, on March 30 was the day, when the city came to a standstill and later the cricket enthusiasts celebrated the victory on roads.

In its history, the city never hit the headlines so much as it did during the world cup. Black marketing, selling of fake tickets, VVIP’s visiting not only from the country but from across the world. The premiers of India and Pakistan, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Yousaf Raza Gillani were also seen enjoying the match moments here.

On other hand, the city based players continued to face the heat of the authorities after bringing laurels.

In 2011, the maps and drawings to uplift the stadiums remained mere dreams as the authorities failed in developing and to uplift the standard of sports, here.

The stadiums including Football Stadium, Sector 17, Sports Complex of Sector 46, and Sports Complex, Sector 7, failed to achieve any new equipment leaving the players in lurch.

The senior players of the football are still waiting for the senior league tournament that has been not organised for the past two years while the players in various sports complexes are still waiting for new gyms.

Chandigarh, December 30
Batting line-up of the Punjab team continued to spread its spree with Navneet Singh scoring a brilliant ton against that of Hyderabad on the second day of the ongoing Cooch Behar Cricket Trophy for (Elite-C) Boys (U-19), today.

After Mohit Handa and Sachin Sohal scored tons on the first day, batsman Navneet Singh completed his century to ensure the team’s total of 587 run in 149.4 overs.

Continuing from their overnight score of 309 runs for 3 the visiting team lost Mohit Handa and Sachin Sohal in quick succession after contributing 5 and 13 run in their score tally.

Thereafter, Navneet Singh and Maninder Singh took over and scored a good partnership for the sixth wicket before Akash Bhandri took Maninder Singh for 61 off 100 inclusive of six boundaries.

While Navneet Singh completed his century 117 off 155 studded with nine boundaries and two sixes before getting run out.

Vinay Chaudhary (41) and Sandeep Sharma (27) were the other main scorers for the team. For Hyderabad, K Sabrish was the pick of the bowlers for taking 4 for 136.

In reply, the host team lost a quick wicket of its opener Rohit Kilagani. The team scored 109 for 1 in 30 overs at close of day’s play with Rayan Amuri (37) and Hanuma Vihar (59) remained unbeaten.

Brief scores:

Punjab (1st innings): 587 all out in 149.4 overs (Manan Vohra 49, Love Kumar 42, Sachin Sohal 119, Mohit Handa 105, Navneet Singh 117, Manender Singh 61, Vinay Chaudhary 41, Sandeep Sharma 27, Vishwajeet Pattnaik 2 for 99, K Sabrish 4 for 136, Akash Bhandari 2 for 152, Rayan Amuri 1 for 54).

Hyderabad: 109 for 01 in 30 overs (Rayan Amuri 37 not out and Hanuma Vihar 59 not out, Kamal Passi 1 for 18).

Chandigarh, December 30
In the inaugural match of the Drug Free City Cricket Cup, the team of Livewire Coaching Center Juniors LWCC (J) routed Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 16, (GMSSS-16) here today.

The host team defeated the rivals by 111 runs. Batting first, the LWCC (J) scored a total of 173 runs for 7 in 20 overs.

For the winning team, Neeraj scored a quick fire 37 off 19 while Inderpreet scored 28 off 14 to guide the team to score a total of 173 runs.

In reply, the Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 16, team returned to pavilion on the total of 62 runs in 15.3 overs.

Raghav (22) and Harsh (18) were the main scorers for the team. For bowling side, Aman Jaggi and Manoj Rana took two wickets each.

Wicketkeeper Neeraj was declared man of the match for grabbing three catches and contributing 37 runs.

Brief Score: LWCC (J): 173 for 20 overs (Lovnish Sharma 38, Neeraj 37, Inderpreet 28, Abhishek 24, Raghav 3 for 28, Abhay 2 for 43)

GMSSS-16: 62 all out in 15.3 overs (Raghav 22, Harsh 18, Manoj 2 for 3, Aman Jaggi 2 for 8).

Chandigarh, December 30
The team of St John (Blue) went down against Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 26, (GMSSS 26) in the match of 14th Blessed Edmund Rice Cricket Tournament for Boys (U- I7), being held here today.

After elected to bat firstm the St John’s team scored 93 for 7 in 20 overs. Skipper Kartavya Sharma (28) was the highest scorer while Pawan contributed 22 runs in the team’s total.

In reply, Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 26, team achieved the target in 13.2 overs. Deepak remained unbeaten on the total of 26 runs while Anish scored 20 runs to ensure team’s victory.

In the second match between St John (retd) defeated Millanium School by seven wickets.

Batting first, the visiting side scored a total of 90 runs in the allotted 20 overs. Abhisek (25) scored the highest for the team. He was supported by Manyu who scored 23 runs. For bowling side, Deepankar grabbed two wickets. In reply, the host team achieved the target in 13.2 overs with Shubranshu (28) and Tejas (24) guiding the team to victory.

Chandigarh, December 30
The football team of Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) will face the Assam Electricity Board (AEB) team in the finals of 37th All India Electricity Board Football Tournament, at Football Stadium, Sector 17, tomorrow.

In a one-sided first semi-final match of the tournament, the Punjab State Electricity Board team edge passed out Haryana State Electricity Board while in the second semi-final match, the Assam outfits defeated Kerala Electricty board by 1-0.

A total of 14 teams including Chattisgarh Electricity Board, Madhya Pradesh Electricity Board, Assam Electricity Board, Andhra Genco, Andhra Transco, Delhi Electricity Board, Haryana Electricity Board, Punjab Electricity Board, Uttar Pradesh Electricity Board, Uttrakhand Electricity Board, Orrisia Electricity Board, Tamil Nadu Electricity Board and Karnataka Electricity Board are participating.

Chandigarh, December 30
The outstanding players of Banyan Tree School were awarded with top honours during the concluding day of the school’s Sports Week, here today.

Wicketkeeper Shine Sharma, who was selected by the Board of Control for Cricket in India for Specialised Academy in Chennai, tennis players Kabir Manrai and Taranbir Singh Oberio were awarded during the function.

Vidushi Rawat, a student of class IV, who has bagged 14 gold medals in the State Level Skating Competition, was also honoured.

On other hand, the students of the junior wing participated in bunny race, lemon and spoon, three-legged and sack races while the students of senior classes competed in the 400, 200, 100 meters races, slow cycling and chatty race.

Later in the evening a prize distribution ceremony was conducted in which the students were given prizes for excelling in academics and sports events.