Ludhiana, August 14
The pattern of policing is in for a change in the city. Besides checking the crime, police has initiated a unique move of crime mapping, which may prove helpful in prevention and detection of various crimes.

Arguably for the first time in the country, the Ludhiana range police is developing a crime-mapping software.

Giving details, DIG, Ludhiana range, MF Farooqui said: “Unfortunately, the crucial crime data is buried in files at various police stations and it is not available for analyses. We are developing software where we can analyse the data on various parameters of crime to devise strategies for future. For example, the analyses of the crime trend in a specific area. What kind of crime is increasing and what is on the wane. After analysing the trend, we can devise a strategy for specific crimes. We will see the difference between the crime trends during day and night. Analysis of these factors will help us know the modus operandi of criminals.”

It is learnt that the police has roped in some companies and would invite them for an open bid to prepare the software. The mapping of the incidents would be main feature of the software and would be prepared on the pattern of the Google map.

“The crime incidents according to their specific nature would be shown on the map (just like Google map) for analysis. The data would come handy in formulating a plan to tackle crime and other incidents. Let’s say accidents are taking place on a particular stretch at a particular time. These accidents and its data will be available on the map so that we can plan a strategy to deal with it,” said the DIG.

Sources said the police had recently conducted a survey and observed that snatching incidents increase in the first week as workers get their salaries. After studying the data, patrolling was intensified in the area to curb the menace. 

Ludhiana, August 14
Fluttering the Tricolour seemed to be adding to the fervour of independence on the day, as the city has been gearing up for the Independence Day. The city has witnessed a rise in the sale of flags, as residents are buying them for homes, offices, cars, etc. Flags and their symbols in the form of stickers, badges and miniature paper were popular among youngsters, according to a store owner in Ghumar Mandi.

Pallavi, who bought a pair of flags for her car, says, “Many of us don’t buy flags. We should remember the sacrifices of our martyrs for gaining the freedom and our responsibility and duties towards the country.”

Ludhiana, August 14
The industrial hub of Punjab has witnessed a drastic change in the Independence Day (I-Day) celebrations. Gone are the days when a city patriot like Bansi Lal Bigular played “bigul” on the banks of Raavi on December 31, 1929 when Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru hoisted the national flag and took the pledge of Purna Swaraj. Nowadays, none comes across such patriots.

Going down the memory lane, Dr Ravinder Vatsayan, a resident of the city and ayurvedacharya said, “People used to watch Bansi Lal Bigular on the Independence Day, who used to carry his ‘bigul’ wrapped in the Tricolour, played it and raised slogans in the praise of freedom fighters. People used to raise victory slogans during parbhat pheri and their faces used to glow with enthusiasm. There used to be a different atmosphere in those days. People used to arrive voluntarily to witness the I-Day parade. But nowadays, all has disappeared.”

While Dr SS Johal, former Vice-Chancellor of Punjabi University, Patiala, said, “The system has not changed, but the way of celebrating has.”

Feeling strongly that people have been deprived of the real freedom, Dr Amarjit Singh Hayer, former head of the department of languages, journalism and culture, PAU, said, “I have seen people getting involved in celebrating the I-Day function like a family one. But now the city has witnessed a gradual change and people are disillusioned with freedom.”

Ludhiana, August 14
Principals of three government schools in the district will be honoured during the Independence Day function, to be held at the SCD Government College tomorrow.

The principals are Jagdev Singh Sekhon of Government Senior Secondary School, Naulakha Cinema road, Sanjiv Thapar of Government Model School, PAU, and Manju Bhardwaj of Kanya High School, Dakha.

Talking to The Tribune, Jagdev Singh Sekhon said that his school had brought 100 per cent results in classes X and XII. Two students from non-medical stream and one from commerce secured their names in the merit list. “There are over 1,100 students in the school and we tell them to obey their parents and teachers, who are their mentors. The students need to be committed, focused as they are the future generation,” said Sekhon.

Manju Bhardwaj, principal of Kanya High School, Dakha, said her school had brought 100 per cent results and over 50 students had won state and national awards in sports and extra-curricular activities. “Besides, our school has won fourth position at national-level in protecting the environment. I joined here as a principal in 2006 and asked the students to put-in their best and sincere efforts,” said Bhardwaj.

Sanjiv Thapar, principal of the PAU Government Model School, has been chosen for the award for bringing the school to greater heights. During his tenure, the school has been giving 100 per cent results. In class XII, six students of the school placed their names in the state merit list. “Students need to create their own niche in society and this will be possible if they put-in their 100 per cent efforts,” said Thapar.

Ludhiana, August 14
A day after a woman clerk was caught taking a bribe of Rs 2,000 from a city resident, she has been transferred from the House Tax branch of the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation. An inquiry has been ordered against her and if she is found guilty, she can face strict disciplinary action, including her suspension and even dismissal from job.

The inquiry has been marked to the Joint Commissioner, MC, AS Sekhon and he will submit his report within a week.

It is learnt that after being transferred, the woman clerk will not be posted on any public-dealing post.

She was caught by her seniors while she was accepting a bribe of Rs 2,000 from a city resident, Kunal Sachdeva. The clerk, posted at the House Tax branch in Zone A office of the MC at the Mata Rani Chowk here, had allegedly demanded Rs 2,000 as bribe from the local resident in lieu of clearing a case of change of land ownership (getting a TS1 certificate).

The resident got the signatures of Zonal Commissioner Kamlesh Bansal on the currency notes before handing them to the clerk. The money was later recovered from her possession. The preliminary inquiry conducted by Kamlesh Bansal found her guilty of receiving Rs 2,000 as bribe from Kunal Sachdeva.

Sources in the MC said, "The woman clerk proudly told her seniors that everyone took 'extra money' from residents and that is why she took Rs 2,000 extra from Kunal. This thing might go against her as she is not feeling sorry about her act," said a senior MC official.

Speaking to The Tribune, the MC Commissioner said the preliminary inquiry conducted by Kamlesh Bansal was good enough to transfer her out of the House Tax branch. "I have asked AS Sekhon to conduct a thorough inquiry into the matter and if she is found guilty, strict action will be taken against her," said Verma.

Ludhiana, August 14
While the Excise and Taxation Department has given the green light to the online filing of the details of intra-state trade, the trader community is still waiting for its rollback. Rumours have it that the notification has been deferred for one month while the department officials said nothing of such sorts was happening.

"We came to know that the department has deferred the notification for one month and they have said strict checking of vehicles will not be done. One-month exemption from filing details online will be given. We are waiting for the Deputy Chief Minister to come back so that we can discuss the matter with him, We will start the online filing only after having talks with him," said Badish Jindal, president of the Federation of Punjab Small Industries Association (FOPSIA).

Another trader said it was on Sunday that he came to know that the notification had been deferred for one month. "As of now I am confused and don't know which procedure I should follow. Should I file the information online or not?" questioned Ramesh Singla, another trader who is engaged in intra-state trade.

Meanwhile, Excise and Taxation Commissioner A Venu Parsad said, "Nothing of such sorts is happening. The online filing of the details of intra-state trade has been made mandatory and this notification will not be rolled back. Traders should file the details online otherwise they will be fined according to the law. The notification has not been deferred for one month, all these are just rumours. Those who are facing any difficulty can either take the help of the desks formed at the office of the AETC or hit the website of the department for the same," added the Commissioner. 

Ludhiana, August 14
Even as the festival season has failed to lift the spirits of those in the jewellery business, jewellers are blaming rising prices for a sluggish demand for gold. Gold, the existing price of which is Rs 30,000 per 10 gm, has lost its lustre for people from all sections of society.

The demand for the yellow metal typically picks up during this season as gold items area considered popular gifts at festivals and weddings in India. "Even as the festival season has begun the demand for jewellery is hardly there. The sudden spurt in its prices to over Rs 30,000 is the main deterrent to a rise in the demand," said Santosh Jain, a jeweller of Sarafan Bazar.

The lack of demand is also affecting the gold imports. We have been witnessing a slowdown in gold imports since January this year due to an increase in excise duty and diminishing demand. In August, the imports are likely to be down by about 30-32 per cent compared to the same month last year," he said.

"If the price of the yellow metal goes up further and the monsoon does not fare properly it will result in further decline in gold imports.

Nearly 70 per cent of the gold jewellery is sold in the rural markets and good monsoon plays a vital role in the demand, added Ram Parkash, another jeweller from Ghumar Mandi.

However, the jewellers are hopeful of a rise in the demand as the festival season peaks, which will be followed by the marriage season.

"We are hoping that the demand for gold will increase as the marriage season picks momentum. Otherwise it was a dull season for us. First shops remained closed due to protest against duty imposed during the budget and we had to face losses and now the rising prices of gold have resulted in low sales," added a jeweller who runs a shop on the Mall Road. 

Ludhiana, August 14
Deputy Commissioner Rahul Tiwari has said adhering to the orders of the Punjab and Hayrana High Court, a list of 'danga peerats', who have not been provided any rehabilitation gains in terms of property, has been prepared by the administration. The addresses of these persons have to be confirmed.

Tiwari said the list had been uploaded on the official website and in case there was any change in the address, the authorities must be informed about it before August 31, 2012, through the registered post. The applications reaching after the given date will not be entertained.

Ludhiana, August 14
A day after one person died and three sustained gunshot injuries in two separate incidents, the city police today booked accused under murder and attempt to murder cases today.

The Daba police today launched a massive manhunt operation to nab the accused, who were involved in yesterday’s shootout incident, which led to the killing of Pinku.

Jatinderjit Singh, SHO, Daba police station, said the main accused, identified as Boxer, and his five accomplices were on the run.

On the other hand, the late evening shootout, which left three persons injured, turned out to be a blessing in disguise for the police, as three persons, identified as Gopal Mahajan, Amandeep Singh, alias Assa, and Sukhpreet Singh, alias Sukha, are POs and wanted by the police in various assault cases.

Ludhiana, August 14
A team of the district health department today collected two samples of eatables. Food safety officer Ravinder Garg said, “We collected these samples on the directions of Civil Surgeon, Ludhiana, Dr Subhash Batta, and collected one sample of prepared daal from Zaika Restaurant of Hotel Leela Classic near Dayanand Medical College and Hospital.

District health officer, Ludhiana, Dr Kulwinder Singh, issued them an improvement notice, as there were a lot of flies in them. We also collected a sample of vanaspati ghee from Taneja departmental store at Haibowal.”

Another team of the health department conducted a raid on a drug shop at Pakhowal road. Drug inspector Sukhbeer Chand said, “Chief medical officer, Dr Subhash Batta, on a complaint about Punjab Medical Hall at Daad village raided the shop and seized 11 abortion kits worth Rs 5,700.”

However, the health department also raided Dashmesh Medical Hall and Gurmeet Medicos, Koomkalan, and seized habit-forming drugs, along with drugs without purchase record.