B A T H I N D A    E D I T I O N

HC for status quo on Fazilka colony site
Fazilka, March 2
The Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA) that had worked out an “ambitious” plan to carve out a housing colony in an ecologically sensitive area of Fazilka suffered a setback as a division bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court granted status quo on the proposed site in a contempt of court case filed by a local resident, Navdeep Asija.

Youth killed in mishap ahead of marriag
Abohar, March 2
A youth who was to get married next week, was crushed to death while returning home after inviting his relatives here.

Illegal tree felling racket unearthed in Ferozepur
Ferozepur, March 2
The forest department has unearthed an organised network involved in the illegal felling of trees. Dr Sanjiv Tiwari, divisional forest officer (DFO), said the forest department had been receiving complaints regarding the illegal cutting of trees along the border in the area following which a special team of forest officials was constituted to nab the offenders.

HC for status quo on Fazilka colony site
Our Correspondent

Fazilka, March 2
The Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA) that had worked out an “ambitious” plan to carve out a housing colony in an ecologically sensitive area of Fazilka suffered a setback as a division bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court granted status quo on the proposed site in a contempt of court case filed by a local resident, Navdeep Asija.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Mahesh Grover directed the state government to maintain status quo on the piece of land proposed to be used for carving out a colony. It may be mentioned that the PUDA had decided to construct a colony in the wetland area of Badha lake on the outskirts of Fazilka in an eco-sensitive zone.

The division bench has passed the orders against the allotment of 56 plots by the PUDA to the purchasers against the original court orders, leaving them bewildered.

Notably, PUDA has not handed over the possession of the plots to the purchasers so far.

The counsels for the petitioners, APS Shergill and Balpreet Sidhu pleaded in the court that more than 400 odd exotic trees are there at the proposed location and the allotment of plots would not only involve a third party but also allow them to axe the trees immediately after handing over the possession.

Notably, Asija had filed a writ petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court in July 2011 against setting up of a PUDA colony in the ecologically fragile zone and the wetland area.

While admitting the petition, the court had directed PUDA not to initiate proceedings till further orders of the court.

“However, in violation of the court directive, the PUDA auctioned 56 plots on February 27 this year without taking any consent from the court,” said Asija.

Upon this, Asija filed a contempt of court petition. On the basis of the pleas of the counsels of Asija, the High Court directed the Punjab government to maintain status quo.

The representatives of different NGOs who initiated the Chipko Andolan by hugging the trees have welcomed the decision of the High Court.

“This is a welcome step as the court has helped us in saving the trees from being axed, in the larger interest of mankind,” said an activist associated with the movement, Lachhman Dost.

The next date of hearing in the case is March 21.

Youth killed in mishap ahead of marriag

Abohar, March 2
A youth who was to get married next week, was crushed to death while returning home after inviting his relatives here.

As per information, Sandeep Singh (22), along with a friend, Gurlabh Singh, had come to village Wahabwala here to deliver invitation cards for his marriage slated for next week.

A tractor allegedly hit their motorcycle near a pond when they were returning to village Santpura. Sandeep died on the spot, while Gurlabh who was riding the pillion, was seriously injured and has been shifted to Bikaner.

In another mishap, Nirmala, who got married on February 23 and her husband’s elder brother, Dr Surinder Kumar, were killed as the Chevrolet car by which they were travelling, reportedly collided with a truck on the mega highway in neighbouring Gusainsar area. Her husband and his kin sustained injuries. — OC

Illegal tree felling racket unearthed in Ferozepur
Our Correspondent

Ferozepur, March 2
The forest department has unearthed an organised network involved in the illegal felling of trees.

Dr Sanjiv Tiwari, divisional forest officer (DFO), said the forest department had been receiving complaints regarding the illegal cutting of trees along the border in the area following which a special team of forest officials was constituted to nab the offenders.

The DFO said when the team raided those places where illegal cutting of trees was going on, the offenders managed to escape.

However, the team took several photographs from the spot which show that several trees had been cut.

“Though the offenders managed to escape, we have recognised all of them. They have been identified as Balkar Singh, Mukthiar Singh, Balbir Singh and Jita Singh, all residents of Ferozepur,” the DFO said.

Tiwari further said that he has instructed the range officer, Ferozepur, to conduct an inquiry into the matter and had also requested the SSP Ferozepur to get the matter thoroughly probed and register an FIR against the offenders under the Indian Forest Act, 1927.

Forest officials said the said offenders have allegedly made huge money by 
illegally cutting the trees and encroaching over the forest land.

“Already several cases related to encroachment of forest land are pending against these people,” said another forest official.

“Whenever we try to initiate any action against them, they start threatening us with dire consequences,” he added.