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Molestation charge
UT SSP has come out clean, HC told
Chandigarh, August 8
Just about two months after a Ludhiana resident accused UT Senior Superintendent of Police Naunihal Singh of molestation and police torture, the Punjab and Haryana High Court was today told that the top cop had come out clean in an inquiry into the allegations. An affidavit submitted before the High Court by Assistant Inspector-General of Police (Human Rights) Iqbal Singh said a clean chit had already been given to the SSP.

CTU route boards hard to decipher
Chandigarh, August 8
The first planned city in the country with the third highest per capita income has nothing in the name of printed information or display boards to inform passengers about the 70 local bus routes operated by the Chandigarh Transport Undertaking in and around the city.

Commuters find it hard to read the CTU’s bus routes pasted on a wall at the Sector 43 ISBT. Tribune photos: Manoj Mahajan

Raids at PU hostels, police nabs 71 outsiders
Chandigarh, August 8
At least 71 outsiders were nabbed during raids conducted by the Chandigarh Police and the Panjab University authorities in university hostels early this morning. The raids were conducted simultaneously in all eight boys hostels giving no time for anyone to escape. The students found giving shelter to outsiders will be fined Rs 1,000.

The police takes outsiders for verification during raids at PU hostels on Wednesday. Tribune photo: Parvesh Chauhan

HUDA authorities turn to astrologers for auction
Panchkula, August 8
After having failed to auction its commercial sites, the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA), Sector-6, Panchkula, is now approaching astrologers to look for a ‘shubh muhurat’ so they may fix a date for auctioning the sites successfully. On the auction day on August 3, the HUDA authorities had received a big jolt and had packed up before time when only three out of 36 commercial sites were auctioned. It is the second time when the HUDA authorities have failed to achieve success in the auction of commercial sites. So much so even HUDA estate officer, Ashwini Sharma had admitted that they held the auction in a hurry.

Doctors gift her ability to walk
Chandigarh, August 8
She could not walk beyond a few steps and had to depend on her father for all her daily tasks. Yearning to go to school and study like her elder brother and her friends, she saw her father running from pillar to post to fulfil her desire over the past three years. Her inability to walk, despite all her efforts, had taken away her confidence. It’s a dream come true for 16-year-old Simran that she can now walk freely and be as independent as everyone around her. A team of doctors in the city have gifted her ability to walk.

Simran with Dr Manuj Wadhwa after surgery; and (right) before surgery.

COMMUNITY

Auction today
10 applicants for 0001 in new series
Chandigarh, August 8 The craze for vanity numbers in the new series, CH01 AP, is all set to reach a new crescendo with over 500 applications received for the auction scheduled for tomorrow. Last time, the vanity number, 0001, in the series CH01 AN was bought by Amritsar-based business tycoon Jagjit Singh Chahal for a whopping Rs 17 lakh for his Toyota Land Cruiser.

Fiza’s relatives quizzed
Mohali, August 8
The Mohali police, along with a forensics team, again visited Fiza’s house in Sector 48 here this afternoon. The team carried out a thorough search of all the rooms of the house and her two vehicles, a Honda CRV and a Santro. However, the police claimed that nothing significant indicating that Fiza was murdered was found from the spot.

Experts take finger prints from Fiza’s car at Sector 48 in Mohali on Wednesday. A Tribune photograph

She had threat to life: Lawyer
Mohali, August 8
Fiza had a threat to her life from a influential leader of Haryana. This was what she had revealed about three days ago to Ranjan Lakhanpal, a senior lawyer of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, on July 28.

Army chief comes calling: The Chief of the Army Staff, Gen Bikram Singh, visited the Headquarters Western Command at Chandimandir on Wednesday. This was his first visit to this command after taking over as the Army Chief. He reviewed the operational preparedness of the Army and interacted with senior formation commanders. A Tribune photograph

Muslims flare up over her cremation
Panchkula, August 8
The Muslim community flared up on Tuesday when they came to know that Fiza’s last rites had been performed as per the Hindu rituals. Around 60 members of the Muslim community have raised questions, as to what was the hurry to cremate her and said they had insulted the Muslim community by doing so. They said Fiza by religion was a Muslim and was also keeping fast during Ramzan.

Fire safety noc
MC adopts double standard
Chandigarh, August 8
The Municipal Corporation (MC) fire department has adopted double standard while issuing fire safety no-objection certificate (NOC) to the upcoming multiplexes in the city.

Sumit may be hired as consultant
Chandigarh, August 8
It seems the UT Administration is going to ‘reward’ UT Chief Architect Sumit Kaur, who has got three consecutive extensions from the UT Administration, for failing to complete the city’s Master Plan in these three years. The UT Administration has made up its mind to hire her as a consultant for completing the Master Plan and for preserving the city’s heritage. Sumit Kaur, whose terms in Chandigarh ends on September 30, is at present on deputation from Punjab and is going to retire on October 30.

Chandigarh scan
Entrepreneurship summit
More than 120 industrialists and startup company owners will participate in the “National Entrepreneurship Summit 2012” being organised by Rayat Bahra Group of Institutes at PHD Chamber on August 11. Entrepreneurs from Delhi, Himachal, Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir will participate in the summit. The topic of the summit is “Twinning startups and industry for mutual growth.” The summit will bring all industries under one roof and will take up the problems faced by the SMEs in Punjab. The startups companies are also participating in order to provide solutions for the SMEs.

Anupama case
Meeting of inquiry committee tomorrow
Chandigarh, August 8
The new inquiry committee with external members will convene its first meeting on August 10 to find out any negligence on the part of PGI doctors, which caused the death of a 16-year-old school girl, Anupama. She died at the PGI on July 24, when surgery of her fractured leg allegedly had been delayed for three days, which resulted in the infection leading to her death.

Reshuffle: UT Admn waits for PCS officials
Chandigarh, August 8
In the reshuffle of officials on deputation in Chandigarh Administration effected today, the recent reprimand by the Union Home Ministry to the UT in respect of the 60:40 ratio in portfolio allocation seems to have weighed heavily. Two HCS officials, SK Setia and Mandeep Kaur, who recently joined the administration, were not allocated portfolios today, as the UT top brass preferred to wait for PCS officials to join and then allocate the portfolios according to the 60:40 ratio.

PGI infrastructure ailing, authorities apathetic
Chandigarh, August 8
Yesterday's incident at the PGI where a woman, along with her child, was injured after a tile fell on their heads has once again exposed the poor condition of the infrastructure at the major health care institute of the city.

The Karon administration block of the PGI is in a poor shape. Tribune photo: manoj mahajan

CITCO
Sales of steel depot go south
Chandigarh, August 8
Profit of CITCO’s major unit, the steel depot is fast declining, if the sales figures are to be believed. Compared to Rs 51.80 lakh profit earned by the depot between April and June 2011, the depot earned Rs 21.26 lakh between April and June 2012. A total of 8,620 metric tonnes of steel were sold between April and June 2011. In the same period, 6,335 metric tonnes of iron and steel were sold.

PGI’s research day on Aug 11
Chandigarh, August 8
As part of its golden jubilee celebrations, the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, will celebrate its first annual Research Day on August 11.

Major Shankla remembered
Panchkula, August 8
Rich tributes were paid to Maj Sandeep Shankla, who was decorated with the Ashok Chakra, on the occasion of his 21 martyrdom day at a solemn ceremony organised at the Sandeep Shankla War Memorial today. A contingent from the 18 Dogra, to which Maj Shankla belonged, reversed arms as a mark of respect. A large number of military and civilian officers, ex-servicemen and their families attended the ceremony and paid tributes to Maj Shankla.

The parents of Major Sandeep Shankla with their grandchildren pay homage to the martyr at the Sandeep Shankla War Memorial in Panchkula on Wednesday. Tribune photo: Nitin Mittal

Three Kingfisher flights cancelled
Chandigarh, August 8
Following protests three Kingfisher flights from Chandigarh to Delhi were cancelled today due to a strike by employees who were protesting against non-payment of their salaries.

EDUCATION

Third counselling for Class XI from Aug 13
Chandigarh, August 8
The third counselling of UT’s senior secondary schools for Class XI will begin from August 13. About 2,000 seats will be available. The submission of forms will take place from August 13 to 14 (9:00 am till 1:00 pm). While fresh applicants can apply for various streams available, the students who have already taken admission in one of the government schools and want to change school or stream can also apply. They have to submit the form for change available (free of cost) at UT Education Department’s website: www.chdeducation.gov.in.

PU: Zero tolerance to defacement
Chandigarh, August 8
Defacement won’t come easy for students’ bodies at Panjab University as the university authorities have decided to adopt a zero tolerance to defacement. Three students’ parties have been penalised Rs 1,000 each by the University for defacing the campus.

The display boards with torn posters of different organisation near the Arts block at Panjab University in Chandigarh on Wednesday. Tribune Photo: S Chandan

PU students’ election likely on September 7
Chandigarh, August 8
Students’ election at PU campus and its affiliated colleges in Chandigarh are likely to be held on September 7. Panjab University has already written to the UT Administration recommending the date for elections. If things go according to the plan and the UT Administration gives its nod for the proposed date then within a month the university and all city colleges will hold elections.

PUTA Elections
Contenders make last ditch efforts to woo voters
Chandigarh, August 8
Emails, SMSes and personal meetings, candidates contesting for Panjab University Teachers’ Association (PUTA) elections made all efforts to garner support before the elections on Thursday.

Students protest outside VC’s residence
Chandigarh, August 8
The students’ organisation of Panjab University staged a massive protest outside the Vice-Chancellor's residence against the Chandigarh police alleging unnecessary harassment by the police inside PU. Around 50 students blocked the gate to VC’s residence raising slogans against the police.

SOPU members argue with police officer in front of the VC’s residence at Panjab University on Wednesday. Tribune photo: S Chandan

Expenditure not to exceed Rs 5,000
Chandigarh, August 8
The Panjab University has received a communiqué from the UT police to follow the recommendations of Lyngdoh Committee in view of the forthcoming student council elections scheduled in September first week.

NCC naval camp begins at PU
Chandigarh, August 8
A 10-day training camp for NCC cadets of Chandigarh’s naval unit started on Panjab University campus here today.

NEIGHBOURHOOD

Woman held for husband’s murder
Fatehgarh Sahib, August 8
The local police has cracked a murder case in which a woman conspired with her paramour, who happens to be her brother-in-law, to murder her husband. In a confessional statement, the accused revealed that her husband was pushed into the Bhakra canal.

Visually challenged students oppose school move
Ambala, August 8
The move to start a dance academy on the premises of SD Blind School by its management has been opposed by the school students, who staged a protest outside the school demanding thwarting of the move today.

People protest against liquor factory
Banur, August 8
Residents of Banur protested against the pollution of a nearby liquor factory, Chandigarh Distillers Limited, during a public hearing here on Wednesday.

COURTS

Bribe case: CBI files charge sheet against 2 policemen
Chandigarh, August 8
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) yesterday filed a chargesheet against two personnel of the UT Proclaimed Offender (PO) cell of the police who were caught taking bribe in February this year.

CRIME

Thieves target E-sampark centre
Chandigarh, August 8
Thieves were on the prowl last night and targeted e-sampark centre at Hallo Majra. Two central processing units (CPUs) and a monitor were stolen in the incident. However, the data was not lost owing to a backup and no inconvenience was caused.

Employees of the sampark centre take a stock of the situation at their office in Hallo Majra on Wednesday. Tribune photo: S Chandan

5,000 litres of diesel seized
Chandigarh, August 8
In yet another seizure, the UT excise and taxation department today seized 5,000 litres of diesel smuggled from Himachal Pradesh for sale in Chandigarh.

2 held for firing shots
Mohali, August 8
The police today arrested the father-and-son duo, Gur Iqbal and Jaspreet, for firing shots in front of a house of Tarlochan Singh, who lives in their locality in Phase VI last night.

Bomb call to check police alertness
Chandigarh, August 8 A dummy IED (improvised explosive device) was put in the Sector-15 rehri market (Patel market) to check the alertness and efficiency of the police force.

Bottles of adulterated lemonade confiscated Chandigarh, August 8 A day after the UT police busted a racket of manufacturing adulterated cold drinks in the Industrial Area, a truck full of adulterated lemonade bottles was confiscated today. Acting on information, the police stopped a Mohindra pick-up van (CH-04K-7397) driven by Deepak Kumar, a resident of Ram Darbar, Phase II, at the Faidan barrier near Sector 47. The confiscated adulterated lemonade bottles in Chandigarh on Wednesday. Tribune photo: Parvesh Chauhan

SPORTS

GJIMT launches golf academy
Mohali, August 8
Gian Jyoti Institute of Management and Technology (GJIMT) in association with the European Golf Teachers Federation today launched a golf academy on its campus to integrate the sport into the curriculum. The academy will run under the professional golf coach Ajay Gujral. When asked why GJIMT was introducing golf, Prof Gurdeepak Singh said, "We believe that one can finalised million dollar deals on a golf course rather than in a boardroom. Golf is one of the popular sports in the corporate world, and getting proficient at it will help professionals get ahead in their career. Two high quality greens have been constructed for chipping and pitching.”

A golfer gives tips to youngsters during the launch of a golf acdemy at GJIMT, Mohali, on Wednesday. A Tribune photograph

Baptist School log 10-wicket win
Panchkula, August 8
The cricket team of Chandigarh Baptist School defeated Satluj Cricket Academy to win the final of the Satluj Champions Trophy League Cricket Tournament for Boys (U-14).

Sports dept invites scholarship applications
Chandigarh, August 8
The UT Sports Department has invited applications from the players, who have represented the city during 2011-12, for the Sports Talent Scholarship. The sports person attained top three positions in the recognised games including athletic, archery, badminton, basketball, billiards/ snookers, boxing, cricket, canoeing, cycling, football, golf, gymnastics, hockey, handball, judo, kabaddi, kho-kho, lawn tennis, rifle shooting, rowing, sailing/ yachting, Skating, skiing, swimming, softball, squash, table tennis, taekwondo, volleyball, wrestling and weightlifting, will eligible for scholarship.

Aakansha clinches top slot
Chandigarh, August 8
In the ongoing Inter-School Taekwondo Championship for Girls (U-14), Aakansha Vaish of Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 16, bagged the top honour today.

Judo player Pooja wins top positions
Chandigarh, August 8
Judo player Pooja won the first place, in the 23kg event during the Inter-College Judo Championship for Girls (U-14), being held at the judo hall of the sports complex, Sector 42, today. In the same category, Vansikha attained second place while Disha Bisht and Muskan jointly bagged the third spot in the contest. In the 27kg slot, Simranjeet Kaur won top honour followed by the runners-up Aanchal. Savita and Shivani managed to attain third place in the competition.

A judo match in progress at the Sector-42 stadium, Chandigarh, on Wednesday. Tribune photo: S Chandan

Rural sports meet from today
Chandigarh, August 8
The Guru Gobind Singh Sports Club and Democratic Youth Federation of India, Dadu Majra village, in collaboration with Municipal Corporation Chandigarh, will organise the two-day Annual Rural Sports Meet in the Guru Darona Acharya Stadium, Dadu Majra, from August 9.

Football tourney
Victory for St Stephen’s boys
Chandigarh, August 8
The soccer team of St Stephen’s School, Sector 45, defeated Government Model High School, Sector 42, by 3-0 during the ongoing matches of the Inter-School Football Championship for Boys (U-17). The tournament was held at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 37.

Players in action during a football match played between Strawberry School and Khalsa School at Sector 37, Chandigarh, on Wednesday. Tribune photo: S Chandan

Carmel eves clinch chess trophy
Chandigarh, August 8
The chess team of Carmel Convent School, Sector 9, won the honours after bagging the Inter-School Chess Competition for Girls (U-14), which was held at Government Model High School, Sector 38. The team comprising Edha Garg, Anahat, Manvi gave a tough fight to players of the Delhi Public School, Sector 42 (DPS 42), in the finals of the competition.

Students make moves in a chess match at Government Model School, Sector 38, Chandigarh, on Wednesday. Tribune photo: S Chandan

Bonanza for BSNL 3G users
Chandigarh, August 8
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has offered discounts and  extra data usage for subscribers of the 3G data cards and 3G postpaid data plans on the occasion of Independence Day.

Cricket trials on Aug 11
Chandigarh, August 8
The Mohali Cricket Association (MCA) will organise trials to select a senior cricket team for Mohali district on August 11(7 am) at the MCA C-Ground.@@The selected team would take part in the inter-district senior tournament for the Katoch Shield being organised by the Punjab Cricket Association. @@The players born, residing or studying in the district of Mohali, are eligible to participate in the trials. TNS