NEIGHBOURHOOD

MUNICIPAL POLL
Congress leaders apprehend violence today
Umesh Dewan
Tribune News Service

Patiala, June 9
The tally of the Congress candidates, either withdrawing or retiring, in favour of the SAD candidates for the Patiala municipal corporation elections today went to four. In what may be termed as major embarrassment for the Congress, it's official nominee from ward number 45 Mukesh Malhotra not only extended his support to Akali candidate Amarinder Bajaj, but also announced that he had joined the BJP. He was honoured by Punjab Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Surjit Singh Rakhra this evening.

Bajaj is a sitting councillor and son of Patiala Improvement Trust chairman Inder Mohan Singh Bajaj. He is also in the race for the post of mayor, in case the SAD-BJP wins. Congress candidate from ward number 31, Harbir Singh Sekhon, had withdrawn in favour of SAD candidate Harpal Juneja and had joined the Akali Dal as well. What is interesting is that Juneja, who is close to Punjab Minister Bikramjit Singh Majithia, is also a front-runner for the post of mayor.

Apart from these two candidates, Congress candidate from ward number 39 Makhan Ram had withdrawn his nomination papers in favour of sitting councillor and senior Akali leader Jaspal Pradhan, who is one of the heavywight candidates for the coveted post of mayor. The fourth Congress candidate to shift his loyalty was from ward number 2 Surjit Dhiman, who has withdrawn his candidature in favour of Akali candidate. While the Congress had expelled Makhan, Surjit and Harbir from the party, the formal expulsion of Mukesh would be announced soon.

Meanwhile, Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur, Leader of Opposition in Punjab Vidhan Sabha Sunil Jakhar and Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee vice-president and Sanaur MLA Laal Singh visited former Ghanaur MLA Madan Lal Jalalpur, who is in judicial custody and presently lodged in the Patiala Central Jail. After the meeting, the Congress leaders flayed the SAD-BJP for allegedly indulging in booth capturing. The Congress leaders also criticised the Patiala Police accusing them of arresting and registering false case against Jalalpur.

Ambala, June 9
The Ambala jail administration recovered five mobile phones and a charger from the inmates during a search on Friday.

As per sources, the jail administration had launched a search operation in different barracks. The jail authorities have sent a complaint to the Baldev Nagar police station to register a case against the inmates. Around two months ago, around 12 mobile phones were recovered from the jail inmates.

A number of gangsters and hardcore criminals are lodged in the jail. A few ago, the inmates had attempted to dig a tunnel in the jail.

Mohali, June 9
A youth was killed while another sustained serious injuries following an accident between a motorcycle and a Maruti Zen at Phase VII, Industrial Area near Amartex, here this evening.

The car was being driven recklessly and after hitting a policeman, it had rammed into the motorcycle.

The deceased was identified as Amandeep Singh (23), a BCA student and a resident of Sector 55, while the injured, Mohit Malik (22), a resident of Pinjore, was admitted to a hospital in a critical condition.

The car, being driven by Amandeep's friend Larshad Arun Khan, was reportedly on the wrong side of the road when the accident occurred.

Amandeep and Mohit were taken to the hospital, where Amandeep was declared brought dead. Mohit is battling for his life.

Meanwhile, the police has arrested Khan (21), who had sustained minor injuries.

Investigating officer SI Kanwar Jaswinder Singh said Khan had confessed to have hit a policeman. Two cases have been registered against Larshad Arun Khan at the Mataur police station and Phase I police station.

Man suffers burn injuries

Mohali: A person suffered burn injuries when his car caught fire after being hit by another car at the PCL lights this morning.

The car was being driven by Parshant. A Skoda coming from opposite side hit his vehicle. The impact was such that Parshant’s vehicle overturned and caught fire.

Parshant had a narrow escape as the vehicle was reduced to ashes. The driver of the Skoda fled the spot. A case has been registered.

Abandoned baby girl admitted to hospital

Mohali: The three-month-old baby girl, who was found abandoned under a tree at Gracian Hospital yesterday, was admitted to the Civil Hospital following the Mohali Deputy Commissioner Varun Roojam's orders here today.

The administration has also deputed lady constables to look after the child.

So far, nobody has come forward to claim the child, who was found wrapped in a yellow towel and was lying under a tree at Grecian Hospital. Dr Manraj said the child was healthy. A case has been registered in this connection.

Chandigarh, June 9
Chandigarh cricket team defeated Pune, in a one-sided match, to reach the semi-finals of the All India Chaudhary Ranbir Singh Hooda cricket tournament (U-15) being held here.

The home team achieved the 85-run target in the eleventh over with match-winning contributions from Akash (38) and Ravi Kant (23). Earlier, Harshit Sharma led the bowling attack for Chandigarh to dismiss the Pune team cheaply. He returned figures of three for 18. Harshit was supported by Prashant, Ramesh and Sachin, who got two wickets each. Shivam, despite his all-round performance, could not change fate of the Pune side. He top-scored with 26 runs and was also the pick of the bowlers for the losing team with two wickets for 16 runs.

Haryana, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka also defeated their respective rivals to join Chandigarh in the semi-finals.

Haryana thrashed Mumbai by eight wickets. Batting first, the visiting side was bowled out for 85 runs. Aman Kumar and Sagar Arora claimed three wickets each. The Haryana team chased down the target within eight overs with Sagar Arora scoring 42 runs and Sourav Aggarwal contributing 26 runs.

In other matches, Bangladesh defeated Himachal Pradesh by 78 runs and Sri Lanka overcame Hyderabad by 130 runs.

Chandigarh, June 9
The APJ Kharar Academy recorded an 85-run victory over the Millennium Academy in the Second Hot Weather Cricket Tournament for boys (U-14) here today.

Batting first, Manbir, with 69 runs off 35 balls, and Harvesh, with 66 off 42, steered the winning team to a massive total of 209 runs in the allotted 20 overs.

In reply, the losing team was bundled out for just 124 runs. Angadvir (32 off 29) and Jasdeepak (32 off 26) were the top scorers. Aasish claimed two wickets for the winning team.

In another match, DPS Club defeated Shivalik School, Mohali, by 67 runs.

Chasing a target of 157 runs, Shivalik School was dismissed within 15 overs with 90 runs on board. Jaspreet with his contribution of 42 runs off 29 balls was the top scorer for his team.

For the bowling side, Aayush Sikka and Arjun claimed three wickets each, giving away 17 and 13 runs respectively.

Earlier, Aayush Sikka also scored a brilliant 57 off 51 while Vaibhav contributed a quick-fire 42 off 28 to take the winning side to a formidable total. 

Chandigarh, June 9
Chandigarh was bundled out for 186 runs on the first day during the Punjab State Inter-District Cricket tournament for boys (U-22) today.

Earlier, the team won the toss and elected to bat first against Jalandhar. Gaurav Puri (38) and Naveen Dhiman (30) were the top scorers for Chandigarh. For Jalandhar, left arm spinner Yogesh Kumar claimed four for 48 while Subek Gill and Raghu took two wickets each.

In reply, the Jalandhar team ended the day on 58 for 3 in 21.4 overs. Nitish (30) and Love Kumar (21) will continue the team’s innings on the second day.

Brief Score:

Chandigarh (1st innings)- 186 all out in 73 overs (Veer Karan Goyal 23, Simranpreet 22, Naveen Dhiman 30, Gaurav Puri 38, Vishal Thind 25 not out, Yogesh Kumar four for 48, Subek Gill two for 20, Raghu two for 59).

Jalandhar (1st innings)- 58 for 3 in 21.4 overs (Nitish 30, Love Kumar 21 not out, Gurinder Singh two for 11).

In the second match played between Amritsar and Patiala at Gandhi Grounds, Amritsar, the home team was bowled out for 231 runs in 92 overs.

Rahul Khosla, with 62 runs off 204 balls, was the main contributor. He added 65 runs in partnership with Rohan Marwaha (39) for the second wicket before Rohan was caught by Jeevanjot off Sukhwinder for 39 off 66. Rohan scored five boundaries and two sixes.

Later, Rahul Khosla was joined by Abhinav Sharma and they added 77 valuable runs for the third wicket before Abhinav was caught by Manpreet off Sukhwinder for 47 off 87 balls. For Patiala, Robin Dhillon and Sukhwinder claimed three wickets each while Karan Kaila took two for 30. In reply, Patiala faced a single over to end the day’s play with one run on board.

Brief Score:

Amritsar (1st innings)- 231 all out in 92 overs (Rahul Khosla 62, Rohan Marwaha 39, Abhinav Sharma 47, Aarush Sabharwal 38, Robin Dhillon three for 47, Sukhwinder three for 51, Karan Kaila two for 30).

Patiala(1st innings)- 01 for no loss in 01 over (Jeevanjot 0 not out and Prabhjot 01 not out).

In another match between Mohali and Ludhiana at PAU, Ludhiana, Mohali batted through the day to end with a score of 292 for 4 in 95 overs.

Mohali received two early set backs with the openers, Harpreet Mander (1) and Maninder Singh (4), returning to the pavillion. Skipper Sachin Sohal and Ankit Pursharthy stitched a partnership of 127 runs for the third wicket before Sachin was cleaned up by Anil Sihag for a well made 72 off 110 balls, studded with nine boundaries and one six. Later, Ankit departed for 67 off 117.

Pukhraj remained unbeaten on 66 off 165 with 9 boundaries, accompanied by Harsrup with 72 off 160, aided by 7 boundaries. For bowling side, Himanshu Shailey (2 for 63) was the most successful bowler.

Brief Score:

Mohali(1st innings)- 292 for 4 in 95 overs (Sachin Sohal 72 , Ankit Pursharthy 67, Pukhraj Singh 66 not out, Harsrup Singh 72 not out, Himanshu Shailey two for 63).

Chandigarh, June 9
Savneet Singh defeated Arman 8-0 in the second qualifying round for boys (U-16) during the ongoing CLTA-AITA Talent Series Tennis Tournament at CLTA Courts and Lake Sports Complex here today.

In other one-sided matches, Vikrant Dahiya overcame Karan Bhalla by 8-1 while Parav Dev beat Abhin Jain 8-2.

Results

Boys (U-12)- Yuvraj Singh Kooka (CHD) bt Aarav Gul (CHD) 7-1; Karan Sandilya bt Arjun Brar 7-6(1); Satya Kim Kohli (UP) bt Divesh Gahlot (HAR) 7-1; Akash Ahlawat (HAR) bt Vatsal Chauhan 7-3; Daksh Marwaha (CHD) bt Gurfareed Randhawa (PB) 7-2; Advik Singh (CHD) bt Sidharth Goel (CHD) 7-0; Pranav Chopra (CHD) bt Jasmol Arora (CHD) 7-6(7); Navneet Singh (HP) bt Tushar Aggarwal (HAR) 7-0 ; Manveer Sohi (PB) bt Nishant Dabas 7-3; Rasbegh Singh Ahluwalia (CHD) bt Abhay Mohan 7-2; Vansh Kapoor (DEL) bt Rajdeep Singh Koora 7-5; Udayvir Singh (CHD) bt Jagtar Arora 7-4; Vaibhav Kundu bt Jaskaran Chahal (PB) 7-2; Neeraj Yashpaul (CHD) bt Piyush Sharma (PB) 7-0

Boys(U-16)- Vikrant Dahiya bt Karan Bhalla 8-1; Savneet Singh bt Arman 8-0; Parav Dev bt Abhin Jain 8-2; Sanchit Sikka bt Durgesh Aggarwal 8-2; Nihit Rawal bt Pringal Chohi 8-3; Ramanjot Singh bt Ankur Chaudhary 8-0.