Jalandhar, April 21
In a state of shock after the Shital Fibres factory collapsed in the city, migrant labourers working at 30 other factories of the same group have started leaving for their hometowns.

Over 1,000 labourers have already left for Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and other states.

Ram Parkash, who has lost his two brothers, Shiv Shankar and Jai Parkash, was working in the day shift in the same factory. "I will leave as soon as I get a word on the compensation from the administration. I have borrowed money from friends to cremate both my brothers. I will never come back to Jalandhar again."

Labourers of other units apprehend that the other manufacturing units were also multi-storey buildings and they did not want to endanger their lives by continuing working in these units.

Suraj, Vishnu and Ramesh, who were leaving to the railway station to catch a train to Bihar, said, "It is a tragic work experience for all of us. We just thank that we are not among those buried under the rubble."

Narinder Saggu, president, Jalandhar Industries Focal Point Extension Associations, said, "Since the collapse, more than 1,000 migrant labourers, who worked at Shital Fibres factories, have already been migrated to their hometowns in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Every day, 100 to 150 labourers have been leaving the city."

He also seemed panic stricken. He said, "I have asked Shital's sons Shitij and Abhishek to start other units to prevent further exodus. We are trying our best to sort out the salary issue of the workers. We have had a meeting with Shitij, Tulsi Ram (Deputy Commissioner of Police) and labourers in this regard."

Survivor of the collapse, Dinesh said, "The fear lingers on in my heart. To get out of the shock, I am heading home in Bihar and I will never return to Punjab again".

Dinesh's cousin Mintu is still feared trapped in the debris. "How can I work in the factory, which had taken lives of me cousin and colleagues? I still remember the shrieks of my co-factory workers who died in the accident," said Dinesh.

"Now six days have passed, and the hope of my nephew coming out alive is bleak. We only hope to get his body and I will take Mintu's body to our native town," said Shatrugan, Mintu's uncle.

Another labourer Mukesh, who has been camping round the clock near the debris, waits to hear something on his cousin, who is trapped inside the debris. He said, "I have already made up my mind to leave the town and will start a new life at our hometown in Bihar."

Other factories of the group have been lying shut following the collapse.

Many labourers, who want to leave the city, have been waiting either for their dues from factory owners.

The body of a victim being taken out of the debris of the collapsed Shital Fibres factory in Jalandhar on Saturday. Tribune Photo: Sarabjit Singh

l Vinod Kumar Rai (24)

l Pramod Kumar (20) 

Phagwara, April 21
A 43-year-old labourer was electrocuted and his 18-year-old son was critically injured after they received an electric shock from a submersible pump.

The deceased, identified as Jagtar Singh, and his son Bindu were engaged for the construction of a house in Nangal Colony. The incident occurred on Friday afternoon when Bindu had gone to drink water at the pump.

But Bindu received an electric shock from the water pipe. Jagtar rushed to save him, but was electrocuted.

Jagtar died on the spot. His son was taken to the local Civil Hospital from where he was referred to PIMS in Jalandhar, said Senior Medical Officer Dr Rajiv Gupta.

SHO Sadar Manjit Singh said the police would book those responsible for the tragedy. It was also learnt that another labourer Sukhdev also sustained minor burns after receiving an electric shock. But he was not admitted to any hospital.

Jalandhar, April 21
A two-day multi-industry job fair today started at Lovely Professional University. On the first day, the fair witnessed an over-whelming response from 15,000 job seekers. About 70 multi-national and national companies reached the campus.

The event saw job seekers from Delhi, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh walk in to seek better paying jobs. Renowned companies such as Maruti Suzuki, Dell, Vodafone, Godfrey Phillips, AIRCEL, Gen Pact, SBI Life Insurance from 15 different sectors, including IT, insurance and others are participating at the fair.

More than 2,000 job-seekers were given on-the-spot offers on the first day.

Greeting all the recruiters and job-seekers, LPU Chancellor Ashok Mittal said, "The university has conducted the job fair to fulfil one of our prime responsibilities. This job fair is not only for our students, but also for students of other colleges and universities.” Clutching multiple copies of their resumes, the students waited eagerly in long queues, which seemed inconsequential to aspirants who were at LPU to utilise the opportunity.

Shahktot April 21
Three youths today thrashed two car borne persons here at Sarangwal village near here before snatching the car. Senior Superintendent of Police Yurinder Singh Hayer and Superintendent of Police (Operation) Rajinder Singh reached the spot to take stock of the situation.

Rohit Gupta, owner of GR Rice Mill, and Jivan Dass, a commission agent, said they were heading to their hometown on a car when the accused, standing near Sarangwal village, asked for a lift.

"When we refused to take them, they became furious and started using abusive language. The miscreants then attacked us with bricks," said Jeevan Dass, who sustained head injuries. He alleged that youths then snatched the car keys and fled.

The injured were rushed to the Civil Hospital, where the SSP and SP (Operation) reached and recorded the statement of victims.

The SSP said nakas have been set up to nab the accused.

A case has been registered against three unidentified youths at Shahkot police station.

Interestingly, youths while fleeing with the car near Mallu Pur village, also looted Rs 1,500 from Satwinder Kumar, a mess in charge at Jawahar Navodya School at Talwandi Mado village near here. He has also filed a complaint at Malsian police station.

Jalandhar, April 21
It may not be just one but multiple factors that probably led to the collapse of the huge Shital Fibres factory on Sunday here.

The team that comprises technocrats from the construction background are reportedly zeroing in on to various reasons including less strength of the columns of the collapsed building vis-a-visa the load of machines, chemicals and lakhs of blankets kept in the stores of the four-storey building. The second reason they are looking into is the wrong construction plan in the adjoining site where the new columns were being erected just next to the ones in the collapsed factory that too by digging out the area. Architecture and framework of the columns in the fallen building is also being looked into.

Professor ND Devgan, a member of the special investigation team, set up by the Punjab Chief Minister, today visited the site went around it to see how it had fallen.

Devgan, head of civil engineering department from Punjab Engineering College Chandigarh, took samples of the construction material for being tested in the laboratories.

Prof Devgan refused to divulge any details regarding the probe. Asked if his investigations would be over in 20 days as directed by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, he said, “I cannot be sure on that”.

The other members of the probe committee including Lieut Gen BS Dhaliwal (retd), technical adviser to the CM, and PWD (B&R) Engineer-in-Chief RP Singh had visited the site on Wednesday. The team is also reportedly taking statements from the various allied departments including the Directorate of Factories, PowerComm and Punjab Pollution Control Board.

Jalandhar, April 21
Punjab Youth Congress president Vikramjit Singh Chaudhary came to visit patients receiving treatment at the Civil Hospital.

Chaudhary’s men brought bananas, mangoes and milk packets for injured labourers. But on the matter of financial aid, he said the matter would be taken up with the Congress high command to provide aid from the Government of India to the injured and the families of the deceased. “The matter of providing compensation for affected workers will also be taken up with the local Congress MP,” he added.

Punjab SC Commission Chairman Rajesh Bagha also visited the patients at the Civil Hospital today. 

Phagwara, April 21
Hundreds of members belonging to the Handicapped and Blinds Union, Punjab, has threatened to intensify the stir in support of their long-pending demands.

The decision was taken in a state-level meeting of the Handicapped and Blinds Union here on Friday.

Lakhbir Singh Saini along with different union leaders alleged that the government did nothing despite making promises before the polls.

Their major demands included 33 per cent reservation in government jobs and free travelling facilities for them.