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Kohar evasive on problems in DTO
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NGO comes to the help of ‘the prefect father’
Jalandhar, August 4 
His dedicated father carries him around in the city on a wagon to raise money for his treatment.
Even as help comes for the hapless 14-year-old Sonu’s family, with it comes the disappointing news that Sonu’s disease is incurable.
Taking note of the story that ran in these very pages about daily wage labourer Shambhu, and his handicapped child; city NGO Roshni has pitched in to provide help to the family of Sonu.Shambhu with his son Sonu. A file photograph
Rape victim’s kin for inclusion of 4 more accused in case
Gang of vehicle robbers busted
Tension over book in town
House burgled
Murder accused held
4 hurt in mishap
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Kohar evasive on problems in DTO
Jalandhar, August 4 Kohar, who was here to inaugurate the administrative block in the Punjab Roadways Jalandhar-1 office in front of the bus stand, feigned ignorance about the issue. “I am not aware of the problems,” he responded in a casual note while asking reporters to come up with a written complaint on the matter. The minister was apprised of the issues such as preference being given to agents approaching staff by slipping in documents and cash from underneath side doors of the cash collection room, no provision of extra counters at the time of rush and inordinate delay in handing over driving licences. Asked if he was not reading newspapers, he chose to remain mum. On the issue of 15-20 day delay in printing of high-security number plates, the minister said, “All new projects have teething problems.” At this, Secretary Transport Mandeep Singh said, “We are streamlining the system by installing more printing machines and speeding up the process.” The press note mentioned plans of the minister to introduce a fleet of 350 new buses in the state. The double-storeyed complex, which he inaugurated, has been constructed by the PUDA at a cost of Rs 1.53 crore in a 24,000 sq feet area. When asked about the recent fake receipt scam in the office of the DTO and bungling of lakhs of rupees by clerical staff, the Transport Minister said he would order a vigilance probe into the matter. Evading tough questions a new trend? It seems to have become common for the ministers and officials to evade tough questions on the working of their departments concerned. While it was Kohar who today asked reporters to come up with written complaints on the matter rather that getting the problems verified at his own end, a few days ago it were the health officials in the Civil Hospital who had similar replies on such questions coming from the reporters. Principal Secretary Health and Family Welfare Vini Mahajan when asked about the indifferent attitude towards AIDS patients asked reporters to come up with a written complaint. On the issue of making inquiry report public, she had the reply, “You can take that through the RTI.” Transport secy had black film on car windowsEven as the Supreme Court has banned the use of black films on cars, Secretary Transport Mandeep Singh arrived in his official Toyota car, bearing number PB-21-C-0001, with tinted glasses at the Punjab Roadways office. It was after the reporters quizzed him on the matter that his staff took the car away and then brought it back after removing the film.
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NGO comes to the help of ‘the prefect father’
Jalandhar, August 4 The bad news is that as earlier claimed by Sonu’s father Shambhu that Sonu’s state might improve with four surgeries, his disease, on the other hand, is unfortunately incurable. Father Thomas from the NGO Roshni today took Sonu and his family to get checked at a local hospital. “The boy is suffering from severe muscular dystrophy and mental retardation as well as scoliosis (a disease which causes an abnormal curvature of the spine). The disease shall slowly lead to the further degeneration of his muscles and as of now, muscular dystrophy has no cure,” said Father Thomas. Notably, Sonu’s mother, who has a stone in her gall bladder, could not be operated so far due to the family lacking in financial resources. But the NGO has planned to get her operated. Talking to The Tribune, Father Thomas said, “Meena’s (Sonu’s mother’s) surgery will cost Rs 10,000 to 14,000. We plan to get it done by Monday or Tuesday.” “While it is evident that despite the fact that Sonu’s disease is incurable, I bow to the family’s noble inclinations. It has not given up on the child and plans to take care of him with total dedication. I have seen richer people abandon their children in similar situations. These seemingly poor people might be financially poor but are richer in heart and resilient in spirit,” said Father Thomas. “We also plan to seek solutions to ensure good education for the other two children of Shambhu - Sandeep (17) and Radha (12). But more funds are needed to make the family financially independent in the long run. For that, we will be dependent on more do-gooders willing to make donations to the family. That way at least Sonu’s good care will be ensured,” he added. Talking to The Tribune, Meena said, “We were taken to the hospital and we were checked up. Sonu can’t be cured, but I have been told that I will be operated by Tuesday. I have been enduring a lot of pain due to the gall bladder stone. The operation might bring me some relief.” While Shambhu and his son Sandeep do odd jobs, Meena, too, works as domestic help when she can. As there is no one at home to take care of Sonu, Shambhu takes him along on a wagon and takes him across the city. Those interested to help the family can contact them on the number - 95016-45579 - which belongs to Sandeep. Disease incurable
Sonu suffers from muscular dystrophy and can’t be cured. This was established following his check-up at a hospital, facilitated through NGO Roshni. However, the resilient family is determined on serving their son. Meanwhile, the NGO will fund the surgery of Sonu’s mother |
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Rape victim’s kin for inclusion of 4 more accused in case
Jalandhar, August 4 The victim, a resident of Alawalpur village, accompanied by her family members and other villagers, threatened to lay siege to the national highway if their demands were not met in time. The accused booked in the case were her cousin, Sunil Kumar and his (Sunil’s) father, Jogi Ram, of whom the former was recently arrested by the police. Meanwhile, the victim had recorded her statement before the Adampur police station and named six accused, but the police had registered FIR against two accused only, the girl’s father Ramesh rued. He also blamed the Alawalpur police post in charge for misleading the girl while she was recording her statement. Bikaram Singh, Alawalpur police post in charge, said the girl and her father had themselves signed the statement in which they had named only two accused and accordingly, the FIR was registered. “If the girl’s family members are demanding the inclusion of more accused in the case, why they have not submitted any written application before the police till date?” he quipped. He further said that the remaining accused Jogi Ram was not being arrested as a police inquiry was on in the case. |
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Gang of vehicle robbers busted
Jalandhar, August 4 The accused were identified as Jagjit Singh of Avtar Nagar, Ludhiana, Gurbax Singh of Dugri, Ludhiana, Avtar Khan and Guljar Khan (both real brothers), residents of Tarkhan Wadh village, district Moga. The accused Jagjit has a criminal past. The recovered SUVs comprise Scorpio, Innova, Endevour, Safari and Logan vehicles and two countrymade pistols. Shiv Kumar, inspector, special staff said, the police had today received secret information that the gang members were roaming near Kartarpur and accordingly, a trap was laid and the accused were nabbed. He said registration numbers fitted on the vehicles were also fake and the police would soon find out the real owners of the vehicles.
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Tension over book in town
Kapurthala, August 4 The book “Punjab de Mahan Kalakar” written by Balwant Gargi has reportedly been prescribed for BA (I) by the GNDU. Some BSP workers led by its local leader Charanjit Hans and some policemen confiscated the book from some stalls on Friday. Hans with some workers went to the local Hindu Kanya College asking the staff against using this book. They allegedly damaged some flowerpots and window panes when the staff told them that they had nothing to do with the book and they should contact the GNDU for that. Meanwhile, some Bajrang Dal activists reached there and allegedly manhandled Hans. Subsequently, both groups staged dharnas at different places, asking the police to register cases against the other parties. The situation remained tense but under control in the town. |
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House burgled
Jalandhar, August 4 House owner Gaurav said all family members had gone to meet her wife’s brother and when they returned home on Friday evening, they were stunned to see the broken locks of the main gate. The miscreants decamped with gold worth several lakhs, Rs 22,000 and some other valuables, he said. The police was informed about the incident. |
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Murder accused held
Jalandhar, August 4 The accused was identified as Vicky, a resident of Birring village here. He had murdered Balram, also a resident of Birring village, in November last year and a case under Section 302 was then registered at the Rama Mandi police station six months ago. The local court had declared the accused a proclaimed offender. Today, acting on a tip-off, the accused was nabbed and handed over to the Rama Mandi police for further legal proceedings, police sources said. |
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4 hurt in mishap
Jalandhar, August 4 The injured were identified as Nanak Singh, Varinder Singh, Dalbir Singh and Sonu. They were heading to Amrtisar to pay obeisance at
Golden Temple. Police sources said the victims were riding two bullet motorcycles. When they reached near Bhagat Singh Colony, their bikes skidded off the road and rammed into a truck.
— OC |
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