The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Woman raped, assaulted Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 14 A woman was allegedly raped by a relative of her husband in Mehta area. The victim, a mother of a 10-year-old boy, has lodged a complaint with the police in this connection. A case has been registered against the accused. No arrest has been made so far. The victim alleged she was married to a USA-based NRI 13 years ago and she had a 10-year old child. She said she had estranged relations with her husband. She alleged that Kabaldeep Singh, a resident of Kalanaur road, Gurdaspur, is the husband of her sister-in-law who used to visit their house. She alleged the accused told her that he will help her reach a compromise with her husband Harmeet Singh. She alleged that when her son was away to school yesterday; the accused came to their house and raped her. She said when she tried to raise an alarm he thrashed her and threatened to kill her. Bikramjit Singh, SHO Mehta police station said the police has registered a case under Section 376, 323 IPC against the accused Kabaljit Singh on the basis of the complaint of the victim. He said the medical examination of the victim will be conducted to ascertain her charges and further action will be initiated accordingly. He said the accused had been absconding following the registration of case and efforts were on to arrest him.
	CIA staff nab three for snatchings PK Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 14 The CIA staff has arrested three persons involved in snatching incidents in various parts of the city and seized 12 mobile phones, narcotic powder, two motorcycles and arms from their possession. Harjinder Singh of Jaspal Nagar, Sultanwind Road and Narinderjit Singh of Shaheed Udham Singh Nagar, Sultanwind Road were arrested from near Chamrang Road. They were driving towards Chamrang Road from Ghee Mandi and tried to flee on seeing the police party. The police intercepted them and seized 260 gram of narcotic powder besides five stolen mobiles from Harjinder Singh. From Narinderjit Singh the police seized a .12-bore country-made pistol, two live cartridges and six mobiles phones from his possession. The Bajaj Pulsar make motorcycle (PB-02-AG-5771) which they were riding was also found to be a stolen. Another motorcycle PB-02-BJ-3085 was also seized on the basis of information provided by Narinderjit. During probe, the accused admitted to have committed 15-20 snatchings near the bus stand, railway station and Hall Bazaar. The police has registered a case under Section 379, 411 IPC, 21/22/61/85 of the NDPS Act and 25/54/59 of the Arms Act against the accused. CIA staff in-charge Vikram Sharma said the accused were brought on one day police remand. In another incident, the police arrested Harjot Singh, a resident of Patti Mallewali, Vallah village for allegedly possessing 110 grams narcotic powder and a Blackberry make mobile phone. The accused were allegedly involved in several snatching and robbery incidents in the city. He had snatched the mobile from near Esta Hotel. He was caught near Vallah Vegetable market on Mehta Road. He was produced in the court today and brought on one day police remand for further investigations, said Sharma. The police said Harjot Singh is a graduate with BA, B.Ed degrees. Bad company lured him into drug addiction and petty crime.
	Bank burgled Amritsar, May 14 Thieves decamped with computer system and close circuit television camera and night vision cameras from the branch of Punjab Gramin Bank at Manawala here late last night. Chander Shekhar, assistant manager, Punjab Gramin Bank, said the accused entered the bank by breaking the walls of the bank. He said he received information in the morning and rushed to the bank and found that the accused had stolen a computer system along with monitor and keyboard besides CCTV and night vision cameras worth Rs 47,000 from the bank. No cash was stolen. — TNS
	Health dept recommends suspension of clerk PK Jaiswar/TNS Amritsar, May 14 The health department has recommended the suspension of Kulwant Singh, a junior clerk deputed at the Civil Surgeon office here following charges of corruption. He has been working as a personal assistant to the Civil Surgeon. Charanjit Singh, a resident of Dalam village, submitted a written complaint to the Officiating Civil Surgeon, Dr Hardeep Singh Ghai, yesterday. He alleged that the accused took Rs 20,000 as bribe from him to give him a medical fitness certificate. Dr Ghai immediately formed a three member committee comprising Dr Ranjit Singh Buttar, district family welfare officer, Dr Pawan Verma, district immuniation officer and Dr Charanjit Singh, district epidemiologist in this regard. After probing into the charges, the committee recommended Kulwant’s immediate suspension. As per the health authorities, the accused had verbally admitted before them that he had taken a bribe of Rs 20,000 from Charanjit Singh. The committee members also decided that to curb the menace of corruption in the department, they will forward the complaint to the Vigilance Office for legal action. “I have forwarded the recommendations to the Director Health and Family Welfare for further action,” said Dr Ghai. The departmental action will also be initiated against Kulwant as soon as they receive further instructions from the director, he added.
	A history of apathy as residents await basic civic amenities here GS Paul Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 14 Ward number 16 has the historic gurdwara nanaksar but the area is nothing more than a slum. Blame it on the apathy of the Municipal Corporation and state governments, the residents face the problem of water logging, faulty drainage system, sewerage and roads. The areas falling in this ward include Verka, Preet Nagar, Navi Abaadi, Ram Nagar, Bagewali Patti, Ramgarhia Mohalla, Mohan Nagar, Ajit Nagar, Ghumiaran Da Mohalla, Main Bazaar Verka etc. Water woes The Verka drain carries dead animals, which stray dogs feast on. In the absence of a drainage system in the area, wastewater from the households is piped out in the open pond and a drain. This results in stench emanating from the stagnant water, making people of the area prone to water-borne diseases. Due to the ganda nullah, the drinking water pumped through tube well is fast becoming unsafe for human consumption. Sewerage runs through the open drains in the area belonging to the railways. The residents expressed their concern that in case the railways take over the land and stops the sewerage flow, water would enter their houses. The government must draw a plan to construct sewerage in the area otherwise the area will become a living hell. Stray dog menace The presence of illegal "Hadda-rodi" (dumping yard for dead animals) has created the biggest nuisance wherein stray dogs feed on dead animal flesh, almost turning them into man-eaters. Even as this dumping ground has been covered with six-feet high walls yet it is dreaded by the residents who have been demanding shifting of this ground somewhere else. If the residents are to be believed, there are reports of three deaths wherein the stray dogs attacked residents. Closed gate Other major problems include closing of the Railway gate between 4.30 and 8 pm daily due to frequency of trains passing from this area. The residents have to wait for hours to cross. All requests to erect an overbridge or a flyover have fallen on deaf ears. Residents complain that politicians avoid visiting the area in view of the civic and health problems. councillor speak Why do you take a backseat? It is because my husband Mohinder Singh is from a political background and has good connections with civic officials. It was easy for him to get things done. We do share ideas before taking any decision. What are your achievements? Being located on the outskirts of the city the authorities have always neglected our ward. We faced severe problems of sewerage, irregular supply of drinking water and stray dog menace. Now, with the efforts and support of my husband, we could include our ward under the JAICA project for laying of a sewerage system. Similarly, we could get two tubwells sanctioned for our area, out of which one is operational and the other will be installed soon. To relieve the residents from stray dogs menace, we arranged to erect boundary wall of Hadda Rori. Councillor’s husband Mohinder Singh, likely candidate for SAD What qualifies you for the contest? I am a keen contestant from this seat. I have politics in my blood. My father Harbans Singh was an ardent Akali leader and I followed the path shown by him. I have with me a 30- year long experience in politics. I was the senior viee-president of Akali faction and later became district secretary. I find myself to a perfect fit in the bracket for the ensuing polls. What are the problems in your ward? The basic problem of sewerage and drinking water needs attention. Closure of National Highway gate for long is another major problem faced by the residents. I have approached MP Navjot Singh Sidhu and he has assured that a flyover will be built over it. The gandah nullah passing through our area has not been covered. What is your agenda? I will take up the matter of shifting hadda rodi. I will work to get RO system installed here, the project has been hanging fire sanction from the government. Profile Councillor Sukhwinder Kaur, (SAD) is the elected councillor from this ward yet it will be her husband Mohinder Singh who took the main lead about the issue related with the area. Prior to 2007 MC polls, this ward was declared reserved for women candidates, Mohinder Singh, district secretary, circle, SAD filed his wife's nomination and won the seat. Since Sukhwinder didn't possess any experience in politics, she took a backseat. It was for the first time in 2007 that this seat was won by an Akali candidate, as earlier it was either the Congress or the Communist candidates who won the seat. Another interesting aspect is that this seat has now been declared reserved for men in the recent rotation and none else but Mohinder Singh aspires to fight election again from this ward on the SAD ticket.
	Probe marked into inmate’s arrest Tejbir Singh was arrested from brother’s house drinking alcohol PK Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 14 Police Commissioner RP Mittal has marked an enquiry into the case in which a jail inmate Tejbir Singh was found drinking alcohol at his brother's house on May 9. ADCP Harinderjit Singh will conduct investigations following claims to Tejbir's family that he was falsely implicated in the case and that Sukhwinder Singh Randhawa, SHO Civil Lines police allegedly misused his powers as he was a close relative of the deceased, for whose death Tejbir is facing charges of murder. Harinderjit Singh while confirming this said he had called the complainants to record their statements in this connection. Tejbir Singh, a suspended Agriculture Development Officer, has been facing trial in the court for the last four years in connection with the murder of Balwinder Singh, a resident of Bagga Chhina village in Rajasansi. Tejbir belongs to the same village. Gurpreet Singh, a close relative of Tejbir, told the media here today that Sukhwinder Singh was the real brother of the deceased's younger brother's wife. He alleged that Tejbir was implicated in the false on the basis of a conspiracy hatched by him. "The only motive behind the case was to insult him as the next date was fixed for the decision of the murder case going on in the court of additional sessions judge," said Gurpreet. He said the date has now been fixed for May 18. He alleged it was the police officials who had taken him to the police station along with the jail security staff and later registered a false case under Section 223, 224 IPC against them. He said he had also written to the Director General of Police regarding the SHO's role in the case. It may be recalled that the Circuit House police had arrested Tejbir from the residence of his brother Mandeep Singh. SHO Sukhwinder Singh said there was no jail security staff with him at the time of his arrest. However, Tejbir had claimed that he had come out of the jail on medical grounds as he had severe pain in his stomach due to the problem of gallbladder stones. He had also alleged that he was being framed by the police under political influence. The deceased Balwinder Singh's family during a press conference had demanded shifting of Tejbir from Amritsar Central Jail.
	Varsity admission schedule released Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 14 Guru Nanak Dev University has released the admission schedule for various courses under the semester system for the 2012-13 academic session for its affiliated colleges. Varsity registrar Dr Inderjit Singh said the university has approved the semester system for the academic session 2012-13 in its affliated colleges. The admission schedule will also be implemented to Amardeep Singh Shergill Memorial College, Mukandpur; Shaheed Ram Singh Pathania Memorial University College, Niari; Bebe Nanki College University College, Mithra, Guru Nanak Dev University College, Verka; Guru Nanak Dev University College, Chung and Guru Nanak Dev University College, Narot Jaimal Singh for arts, science and social science courses. The last date for admission to these courses will be July 2 and with the late fees of Rs 50 (with the approval of principal) the date will be July 9. With the late fees of Rs 100 and with the approval of the Dean, Academic Affairs, the date will be from July 16. With the late fees of Rs 1,000 and with the approval of the Vice-Chancellor, the admission dates will be from July 23. The students can still seek admission with the late fees of Rs 5,000 and with the approval of the Syndicate, the admission can be accepted between July 31.
	Industrial infrastructure for border belt hailed Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 14 Local industrialists are upbeat over the Planning Commission’s clearance to create industrial infrastructure in the border area and train local youth in specialised skills. They say the move will help them tide over skilled labour crunch. CII National Council on Public Policy member Gunbir Singh said the border belt of Punjab has shouldered the brunt of wars, militancy and flight of capital due to the advantage to the hill states. Faulty education system has churned out youth who are not able to realise their aspirations. Stagnation in agriculture, as well as employment avenues, has led to frustration in the productive populace. This in turn has spiralled into a monumental malaise of drug addiction in the youth. The solution lies in creating jobs and imparting suitable skills. He said the commission clearance to set up industrial complexes in Amritsar will boost industrial infrastructure in the border city. Punjab Small Scale Industry Development Board director Raman Gupta said the Planning Commission’s clearances to the creation of industrial infrastructure in the border belt, as also training of youth in specialised skills, is laudable. He said at this juncture various industries operational in the city were facing shortage of skilled labour. He said it suggested good tiding for Punjab in general and the border city of Amritsar in particular. Punjab in turn must raise resources from available central schemes, as also synergise its priorities with them to push economic resurgence. Kamal Dalmia, director of a leading yarn processing unit in the city said technically skilled youth will take the city ahead. He said the holy city has got good infrastructure in shape of laying four lanes with the neighbouring districts, the Integrated Check Post (ICP) becoming operational, an international airport and the arrival of a record number of tourists. The Shawl Club of India president PL Seth said quality human resource is needed to push ahead the growth. He said new liberalised trade regime with Pakistan through the ICP will take the city on the growth path. Seth said the proposed industrial complexes will take optimum advantage of the liberal trade regime with Pakistan through the Attari-Wagah land route. He said establishment of a national-level institutional facility will upgrade skills of the youth to help them get jobs in the industry.
	Six arrested with drugs Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 14 The police has arrested six persons for possession of narcotic substances in as many cases registered in the city and Amritsar rural police district yesterday. The police has also seized more than 1 kg of narcotic substances from their possession. The Sultanwind police arrested Gurbax Singh of Jamnuwali Gali, Tarn Taran road, after 300 gram of narcotic powder was found from his possession. Earlier, his accomplice, identified as Satnam Singh, was arrested by the police with 100 gram powder. Nirmal Singh SHO Sultanwind police said Gurbax Singh and Satnam, who is jail, both were drug addicts and were also involved in drug peddling. He said during investigations, Gurbax admitted it was Satnam who had provided him the contact number of another peddler who used to supply narcotic powder to him. Sadar police has arrested Sarabjit Singh alias Suba, a resident of Doglian village in Tarn Taran, and seized 200 gram of intoxicant powder from his possession. He is a resident of Mustafabad area. Lopoke police has arrested three drug peddlers, including Harjit Singh and Bhupinder Singh of Bachiwind village and Lakhbir Singh of Kotli Saka and seized 100 gram of narcotic powder from each of them. SHO Balkar Singh said the accused were notorious drug peddlers and were selling the same for a long time. Meanwhile, Beas Police has also arrested Jatinder Singh of Butala village for possessing 300 gram of narcotic powder. Separate cases under the various sections of the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substance (NDPS) Act have been registered against them.
	NGOs to popularise eco-friendly cremations GS Paul/TNS Amritsar, May 14 Veteran Congress leader RL Bhatia today pledged to be cremated through the eco-friendly LPG crematorium. Bhatia, the former state foreign minister who held the governorship of various states, also observed the crematorium procedure at the Chattiwind gate cremation ground in the presence of his supporters today. He announced to bear the entire expense of at least 10 cremations that will be performed through this method. Maninder Singh Heera, former Improvement Trust chairperson and Narinder Behl and Dhanwant Singh Gill, president and vice-president of Arhtiaas Association Bhaktanwala Mandi made donations for the same. NGOs Pollution Control Committee and Khudai Khidmadgaar, in collaboration with Durgiana Committee, have launched a special public awareness drive in this regard.
	from schools Khalsa college teacher bags research project Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 14 Professor Balwinder Singh, from the Department of Bio-Technology, Khalsa College, has been sanctioned a prestigious research project by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. The project entails to conduct research on diseases infecting potato crops. College principal Dr Daljit Singh said Dr Balwinder has been sanctioned Rs 24.93 lakh to carry research in the specified field under the fast track scheme for young scientists. “This research project will focus on the management of diseases, infecting potato plants in Punjab,” said Dr Daljit. Potato crop was emerging as a major cash crop in the state but was also susceptible to various diseases and a team of bio-technologists from the college, headed by Dr Balwinder will conduct research on the topic. Dr Balwinder was recently awarded the Young Scientist Award by the Punjab Academy of Sciences during the 15th Punjab Science Congress in Amritsar.