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Power walk by parties as candidates file papers
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Rs 8.49 lakh unaccounted cash seized from trader
Armed daylight robbery at jewellery shop; owner, employee injured
no child’s play
A view of an ill-maintained park for children at Katra Moti Ram.
Photo: Sameer Sehgal |
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Power walk by parties as candidates file papers
Amritsar, January 11
SAD rebel Gurpratap Singh Tikka also filed his nomination papers. Tikka may upset the equation for the party's official candidate Inderbir Singh Bolaria.
Disapproving the notions of differences between Rajkumar, Congress candidate from Amritsar (West) constituency and Om Parkash Soni, present MLA, which could have hurt the chances of the Congress party winning from this constituency, both senior party leaders today came together while filing the nomination papers here. They were accompanied by Jugal Kishore Sharma, president District Congress Committee, besides other party leaders on the occasion. Rajkumar, first paid obeisance at historic Chheharta Sahib Gurdwara then moved to Putlighar area. He and Soni also paid obeisance at Mata Lal Devi temple before moving to the office of Assistant Excise and Taxation Commissioner-cum-Returning Officer near Pingalwara. There were reports of differences between Rajkumar, who is a close confidante of Rajinder Kaur Bhattal and Soni is considered to be close to PPCC chief Amarinder Singh. Further, due to delimitation of the constituencies, a number of posh areas, including Ranjit Avenue, Rani Ka Bagh, Basant Avenue and Medical Enclave have been excluded from this constituency. This has led to very interesting equations in this constituency as Sanjha Morcha and CPM candidate Amarjit Singh Asal has emerged as a strong contender for the seat. However, before going to file nominations, the Congress party leaders today showed their strength. Congress candidate from Amritsar (East) Sunil Datti also filed his nomination papers.
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Rs 8.49 lakh unaccounted cash seized from trader
Amritsar, January 11 The team, appointed to check the misuse of money during the assembly elections, seized the unaccounted cash from Surinder Kumar, a resident of Ranjit Avenue here. He was later handed over to the Income tax department authorities. ADCP Rachpal Singh Ghuman said the money was seized during checking conducted by the police in the Hall Gate area falling under Kotwali police station here. The money was kept in a bag in the car driven by Surinder Kumar, a trader. The team was headed by an SDO of the drainage department. The trader was handed over to the Income Tax department.
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Armed daylight robbery at jewellery shop; owner, employee injured
Amritsar, January 11 Before fleeing, armed looters injured, Rajiv Luthra alias Lakhi, the owner of the jewellery shop located at Gali number 2, Majitha road and decamped with jewellery worth several lakhs. The incident took place at 4.30 pm. As many as five unidentified armed robbers entered the shop and attacked the owner Rajiv and Rehan, an employee at the shop. “The accused hit Luthra, first with the handle of a double-barrel gun and then stabbed him with a sharp-edged weapon. However, he sustained minor injuries as he was wearing a jacket and layers of woollens due to the cold,” said ADCP Harinderjit Singh. He was rushed to Guru Nanak Dev Hospital where his condition is stated to be stable, he added. Eyewitnesses said five unidentified persons came on foot and after committing the crime ran towards Gopal Mandir. “During investigations, Rehan said a woman was also involved in the incident while Rajiv said there was no woman," he said. Harinderjit said the accused might have parked their motorcycles somewhere near the shop. He said a case under Section 392 of the IPC has been registered in this connection. "The accused took away a bag containing gold ornaments which Rajiv had brought from Guru Bazaar few hours before the incident. The exact amount of the loss is yet to be ascertained," said Harinderjit. official speak
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Theatre is what these kids play
Starting young with theatre, artistes see it as best acting school Neha Saini Tribune news Service
Amritsar, January 11 Abhishek Sharma was five years of age when he got his first break, a role in a film ‘Armaan’. This made him realise his talent in front of the camera and so his stint with theatre began. “I did my first play immediately after that movie," he says. Today at 16, he is a veteran in the city theatre circuit with over six full-length plays. "My father is also a theatre artiste but the reality of being on stage even when you are playing another character fascinated me," says the young actor, who recently performed in Rajiv Thakur's English play, 'Death of a Salesman'. Abhishek has also travelled with some theatre groups and acted in some Pakistani plays as well. “Performing in Pakistan was great and people appreciate my skills,” says Abhishek. After winning five state awards for his acting skills, Abhishek has realised his potential and aspires to be an actor one day, “I would love to continue doing theatre and may be even films some day." Ask him his inspiration and he is quick to reply, "My father. He has been my teacher and guide all through." But for now, his younger brother Rhythm Sharma too is following in his footsteps, "He is 11 years, mostly interested in music but loves to do theatre once in a while," says Abhishek. Another such youngster is Sanjog Singh Ahuja, 17, a student of Springdales Public School who is already preparing to seek admission in the National School of Drama (NSD). Starting his stint with theatre in school and taking part in school annual productions regularly, Sanjog got hooked to theatre by experiencing it. “I used to watch plays at Virsa Vihar and Punjab Natshala and my liking for theatre grew. Soon I started taking up school productions," he said. He has worked in three full-length plays, but his interests are back stage. “I worked as an assistant director in these plays and will like to write and direct plays in the future as well.” He believes theatre is a cool career option for youngsters. Another brother-sister duo Mandeep Kaur and Jaskaran Singh Sohal find theatre as their calling. "I did my first play when I was 10 years in a Punjabi production. After that I did several plays mostly regional and with local theatre groups," says 14-year-old Manpreet. Her 11-year-old brother Jaskaran likes singing better and is training for that. “I have given sound and sung songs for theatre productions and will like pursue my love for singing only." Manpreet though believes in theatre.
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Constituency Watch:
Amritsar central Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service
Amritsar, January 11 Importantly, after delimitation, the number of voters in the Amritsar central constituency has almost doubled. As against 68,267 voters in the constituency during the last Assembly election, the strength has now gone up to 1,25,675. Needs, expectations and demands of both rural and urban areas are different. Rampant and permanent encroachment, absence of efficient garbage lifting system and dumpsite, unemployment, low wages and drug addiction among the youth are the major issues in the urban areas. In rural areas, residents demand development of roads, laying of sewerage system, quality education and mechanism to prevent youth from falling in the net of drugs. Condition of roads and sewerage in the walled city are comparatively better than the areas near Gates Khazana and Hakima. Areas around Fatehpur colony are in a dire need of basic amenities. A major portion of the constituency falls in the walled city which is known for its congested lanes. Rise in number of vehicles leads to frequent and long traffic jams. Meanwhile, the problem gets aggravated due to rampant encroachment by shopkeepers. There is lack of open parks and no playgrounds at all. However, Gol Bagh, located outside Hathi Gate, offers a whiff of fresh air to visitors. Sitting MLA of the Constituency Laxmi Kanta Chawla made funds available to turn the waste lying ground into a beautiful garden. The Congress has denied ticket to former Deputy Speaker Darbari Lal from fighting elections for the eighth time from the constituency. The party has fielded an experienced legislator OP Soni, who has twice won the Amritsar West seat, from the constituency. It would be Soni's first contest from this Assembly segment. From the BJP, sitting MLA of the constituency Laxmi Kanta Chawla, also Social Welfare Minister in the Parkash Singh Badal government, has left active politics and would not campaign for the party candidate Tarun Chugh, who was the vice chairman of the Punjab Youth Development Board. Chugh is contesting his maiden election. Fact File * The total number of voters in the constituency is 1,25,675 out of which 66,991 are male and 58,684 are female * Both the Congress and BJP are trying out new candidates from the constituency. Although OP Soni, former Mayor and sitting MLA from Amritsar West, is a well-known name in the Congress, he has never fought an election from this constituency. For BJP's Tarun Chugh, it is his first Assembly election.
Congress candidate OP Soni
What are the major issues facing your constituency?
It requires more infrastructural development to match pace with other parts of the city. Basic facilities like roads, sewerage system and streetlights are need of the hour in newly incorporated rural areas and slum localities. What is your poll plank? Employment generation programme with the support of industry would be my poll plank. Unemployment is the biggest missing link in the development of individuals and families. What are your poll promises? I will work for the revival of industry and to create a conducive environment for it to sustain and flourish. Vibrant industry and business will eventually create more employment opportunities for the youth not only of the area but the entire city. What makes you better than others? Voters can judge me from my experiences as the Mayor of the city and twice MLA from Amritsar West. I have delivered results. What are your chances of winning? I am fully confident of winning the seat for my party. I am not a new face from this Assembly segment. BJP candidate Tarun Chugh
What are the major issues facing your constituency? Unemployment, drug addiction, lack of basic amenities, including sewerage, roads and water supply, are the major issues. The areas in the walled city require revamping of sewerage, roads and water supply. What is your poll plank? I will work for all the segments of society to improve the living standard. I will also try to introduce vocational courses in the colleges or other institutes so as generate employment for the youth in the industry. What are your poll promises? Approaching roads to the Golden Temple will be beautified. There are three ITIs in the constituency. I promise to open ITI campuses in all four villages in the constituency. What makes you better than others? I live in the walled city which makes me one among my voters. What are your chances of winning? Plenty. The SAD-BJP alliance has introduced a number of development projects during its tenure.
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BJP candidate from Amritsar (North) Anil Joshi too filed his papers. He was accompanied by MP Navjot Sidhu.
